Tretinoin

This review is for Retin-a Micro 0.04% Microsphere. Name brand, not a generic. I used it for just under 8 weeks before switching to low-dose Accutane. Overall, I think this is a good product, but probably not for people who have oily skin. It made my skin much oilier than normal. I did not--I repeat, did not--have an initial breakout as others have experienced. I believe this was due primarily to the topical and oral antibiotic my dermatologist prescribed (i.e., clindamycin solution and oral amoxicillin, 500mg, 2x/day). So, if your dermatologist will agree, I suggest concomitant antibiotics, at least for the first month of using Retin-a Micro (assuming antibiotics work for you). I used only a pea sized amount as recommended, which lightly covered my forehead, upper cheeks, nose, philtrum area, and chin. I could not cover my lower cheeks, but I have never really broken out there. Bottom line, my skin had never been smoother. But, it had never been oilier either. Please keep in mind that this is just my experience and there are definite individual differences in any acne product's effectiveness.

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Anonymous

December 8, 2011

Pros:

Smoothed out my skin completely
Within a week my whiteheads are gone
lightens dark marks/scarring
Reduces pimple size overnight

Cons:

When first using the product I felt tightness of the skin, itching, burning sensatiion
Broke out during wk 2 of using medication (but that's to be expected, my skin was adjusting to the medication)

I honestly began seeing results during wk 1. I felt and noticed a difference in my skin. I had some dark marks on my face that went away during wk 1 of using. As for my whiteheads, as I said w/i a wk they'd be gone. However, I would still break out constantly. It took a total of 12 weeks for my breakouts and whiteheads to fully subside. I love this product and it's inexpensive. I use it every night and it has done wonders for my skin. It's just important to be patient.

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kayrae

December 1, 2011

Pros:

clears cystic acne, whiteheads, blackheads
smoothes skin

Cons:

Initial drying/readness

I really like this stuff. The first week was strange, because it dried my face out. I was peeling, i looked like I had severe sunburn peeling. (also, i think applied too much) Anyways I am on my 3rd month, and I never really had an initial crazy breakout that people talk about. Some hormonal breakouts were worsened, but nothing unmanageable. I have cut back on how often I use it to every other night, and that seems to be working much better. I dont use BP the nights I use Retin-a. Overall, really really like this stuff. :)

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callmejsmitty

November 27, 2011

Pros:

-did a good job of clearing up acne on my chin
-smooths out the texture of your skin, smaller pores
-didn't dry out my skin
-no initial breakout
-one prescription lasted me more than 6months

Cons:

-occasional redness/irritation
-didn't clear up my skin 100%, but I'm still happy with the major improvement

I have been taking Atralin once daily, before bed, for over 6 months now. This gel is very gentle and has never made my skin flaky. Started seeing results in about 2 weeks, but eventually the improvement started to level off, and my skin still gets pimples here and there. Overall Atralin made a big difference in the appearance of my skin and I would recommend it to anyone. Also, with Atralin i would not be afraid of an initial breakout. I never had one and if you start using a small amount, it is very gentle.

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Ausitin

October 28, 2011

Pros:

-helps reduce acne scars and less severe acne also

Cons:

-dries skin (but nothing lotion won't fix)
-takes awhile to work

This product takes time to work, I don't know exactly how long but at least a month or two for sure. It has reduced the appearance of my acne scars greatly (I just got off of Acutane). If you have problems with dryness, by a more expensive brand name lotion ( I use Cytaphil or Neutrogina)

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billthecat

June 26, 2011

Pros:

- Gets rid of all of the big, nasty bumps that usually take FOREVER to heal.
- Leaves skin glowing!!!
- Pores seem to just magically shrink in size.
- Definetly took away almost all of my cheek acne!
- Takes a really long time to work!

Cons:

- It took away my big bumps, but now I have really annoying ones all over my forehead ^__^.
- Makes skin EXTREMELY oily!
- Doesn't give off drastic results ( I got my hopes up from using so many crappy products in the past.. -sigh-)
- Makes skin sensitive to the sun, wear a high SPF.

Okay, so this is week 7 and a half, and I STILL have acne. I know, I know, it will take probably a few more weeks to fully clear up, but..oh well. I am currently using Retin A cream in conjunction with Clindamycin 1% topical lotion. I hope, that in the next few weeks I will see more results than I have been.

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clear&happy

June 23, 2011

Pros:

Definitly helps scarring
absorbs quickly
helps prevent acne
^^^^(not guaanteed bc im using another acne product as well)
lasts a long time

Cons:

Dryness at first
slowly improves skin
can irritaate skin more

so i HAD cystic acne appox. 4 months ago now i have MAJOR scarring and my dem. perscribed me this. im very thankful because along with doxy, and minocycline i had claered up completely and am now slowly riding myslef of the after math of the acne. the scars i did not notice any worsening of my skin like my derm said could happen thankfully i would reccomend this to anyone who is trying to get rid of scaring but not if your skin in inflamed

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Carly

June 14, 2011

Pros:

Told it will help clear and prevent future break outs.
Killer on cystic acne.
Said to help with scaring, I think I believe this, maybe a little.
I wear it only at night before bed

Cons:

Dryness around affected area
Redness
Scabbing over healing areas
The scabbing makes me want to pick at it

I had an Implanon which is a form of birth control and had it in about 1.5 or a little longer and over that time I got mild break outs around the back of my jawline which over time turned into sever cystic acne along my jawline and on my neck and then moved into the left side of my face, very painful. I also always had little white ones that were never white heads but were under the surface and would pop easily they were everywhere..... Once taken out was put on Yaz and given Retin-A which I used religiously and then also incorporated emu oil into that equation every other night to help with the healing process. I still have a lot of scaring but the cystic acne is gone and I still get a few of those other ones around my mouth but really very unnoticeable. I like this stuff because it tingles so I feel like its killing the acne lol, as far as scaring goes I don't reallly notice a difference as to that when I use the emu oil which I always wake up and my face is smooth and the redness is significantly reduced in my face. I will stick with this as well as with the emu oil

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Gaby421

May 20, 2011

Pros:

-Helps acne marks

Cons:

-Very drying. Skin began to flake
-Initial break out

This product did not work for me however do not be discouraged to try it. It did work for me at first but then stopped. It also made the color o my skin darker for some odd reason. I recommend staying consistent. Keep using this product for three months before making a final decision in it.

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Pete

May 6, 2011

Pros:

Eventually made my face clear.
Made skin smoother.

Cons:

Very harsh.
Painful to go in the sun while using it.
Face was red and sensitive the entire time.
Burned my face pretty bad.

Tretinoin burned my face badly for about 2 weeks but after the burn healed my acne scars peeled off with it so it helped but not before putting me through pain and suffering.

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