Tretinoin
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Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.

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Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.

Tretinoin is usually applied once a day around bedtime.

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3.5
1649
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Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

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June 2, 2011

Pros:

-if used properly it really doesnt dry skin to bad
-clears larger acne, and most bumps
-good for wrinkles

Cons:

-face shaded red
-small pimples still exist
-occasional pore blocked

Tretinoin cream is a good producy, however does not clear acne completley. However, skin looks fresh in the morning and clears 90% of acne. Still a few emerge regularly. used for around 12 weeks
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June 1, 2011

Pros:

None for me

Cons:

-Dried out skin severely
-Peeling
-Redness
-Irritated acne further

So basically I heard good things about this product and thought I'd give it a try, first day I use it, in a couple hours my skin turned red and stung really bad, and then the next couple of days it started to peel off slowly and apparently this is supposed to happen so I stuck with it. 1.5 months into it my skin's condition didn't improve, I had still had patches of redness that took forever to go away and my breakouts still continued, so I just stopped using it.
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May 30, 2011

Pros:

fades pigmentation slowly
reduces red hard zit
dries out pimples over night

Cons:

peels skin
burns after washing your face
hurts

i just started using retin a cream 2 weeks ago, i have noticed a little difference where the acne was.
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May 27, 2011

Pros:

Made spots disappear faster
fade spot marks
less greasy

Cons:

drying
breakout from the first few uses.
made skin tight

Made my skin peel and break out from the first few uses, but the spots was relatively fast to disappear. The tube is biggg! so it will last a long time. But remember to use a oil free moisturiser. I got it prescribed from my doctor so it was free.
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May 26, 2011

Pros:

-Face looks clearer and softer in parts where I didn't have acne before!
-Blackheads disappearing on nose!

Cons:

-Red marks just dont disappear
-Wrinkles around eyes
-White heads

I started using proactive about 3 weeks ago and that broke my face out bad, before my face wasnt that bad only a few pimples and white heads, but I still wanted to clear it up completely. After using proactive for two weeks i quit when i started using retin a micro .01% a week ago. I havent really noticed an IB because proactive did that for me I guess. I use it at night before i got to bed, waiting 20-30 mins before applying retin A after washing my face with cetaphil or purpose. In the morning i wash with cetaphil or purpose and moisturize with purpose with SPF 15. (Trying to decide which one i like more- cetaphil or purpose) Im also taking tetracycline twice a day, multivitamin, fish oil, vitamin d (cut dairy out of my diet) and protein (post workout and morning shake) Im hoping this stuff works in the next few weeks! Hope this review helps and I'm not giving up on this until it clears me up. Wish me luck!
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May 24, 2011

Pros:

Cleared my acne.
Markedly reduced post acne pigmentation marks.
Decreased the size of my pores.
There is visible brightness to my skin.

Cons:

Skin feels dry (but dealt well with a moisturizer)
Reddish tinge to face off and on(esp immediatly after application)

I used Nexret 0.1%, better known as Retin A Micro in the US market. Love this product. Has worked excellently for my acne (mostly comedones) and also has remarkably reduced my pore size. My skin also looks brighter. This product has also helped with my post acne pigmentation marks. A sunblock is a must with this product and since I am sunblock fan since my teens, I had no laziness issues slathering a sunblock evevry 2hours. The side effects are there but nothing happened to me that I could not deal with. No pain no gain!!
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May 23, 2011

Pros:

Prevented breakouts. At least I hope it prevented my breakouts.

Cons:

Didn't do much at all for my spots.
Worked ridiculously slowly.
Initial Breakout, although it wasn't that much for me.
Made my face very red.

I've been using Retin-A for almost 9 months now, and I haven't seen much improvement at all. I was very consistent with it, and only missed one night out of 9 months, and didn't apply too much or too little. The pea sized amount rule was followed. It didn't fade any of my red marks considering I've used it for so long. I think I'll start over and use Differin gel because that seemed to work for me last year.
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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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May 17, 2011

Pros:

-Works better than anything else I've used on fine lines
-Skin has a great texture (once cleared); very fresh and young looking

Cons:

-Initial break-out lasted three and a half months.

I started using this at the age of 29 after going to a dermatologist to ask for a product that combatted the whiteheads on my forehead and my emerging fine lines :) I was warned about the initial breakout, and it did last as long as I was warned, if not slightly longer (like other posters, I checked this board frequently to compare my progress to others). I just reached the 3 1/2 month point, and the final bumps are just going away. The initial breakout was not horrible, but definitely worse than any other breakouts I'd had (my skin had fairly clear throughout my life with just a few blemishes here and there). Makeup seemed to cover it up mostly but it was more bumpy than usual (my mom, ever tactful, did ask me if I had a rash on my forehead). So, it feels like forever, but once the IB is over, it does seem to be worth it. The texture of my skin is much improved, and once the redmarks from the IB fade, I'm sure it will look even better. Also, I noticed an improvement on the areas that didn't break out (mostly my cheeks and under my eyes) fairly quickly, and the texture is smoother than I've seen in a long time. One thing that I'm REALLY impressed with with this product is the way it worked on my fine lines around my eyes. I'd just started using a few over the counter products in the last year or so as I'd begun to see some lines around my eyes, and they worked moderately well, but the lines are definitely much reduced now, and I think I now look younger than my 29 years. I feel like this will be a great product to use through my 30s and later. Overall, I think it's worth the pain, and hopefully I'll look even better in the next few months! (Oh, and one tube lasts forever. I'm still on my first tube, and probably have at least a month left before it runs out.)
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15 user(s) found this helpful

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May 15, 2011

Pros:

Makes skin super SUPER soft (eventually!)
Does keep your skin clear fairly consistently.

Cons:

Absolutely awful IB (peeling, redness, painful)
START SLOWLY
Not amazing at getting rid of red marks, just takes time.

I've now used retin A 0.025% for about 3 months and I'm starting to really see (and feel) the benefits. The initial breakout began around weeks 3 & 4. It was quite nasty but I attribute this to using retin A too often, too quickly. ***Start Slow*** On my prescription it said use twice daily, no no no! I would recommend applying it once every other night for like the first week. I ended up having a bumpy, scaly type rash on places I never usually had spots. It took a few days of not using retin A (and having a few days off work :/) for it to go down. Very upsetting! Still get the occasional little spot but I haven't experienced anything I would consider being detrimental to my face for a while now. Happy :)
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28 user(s) found this helpful

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The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

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Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
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Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website