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
5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

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July 31, 2007

Pros:

The clearest I have ever been!!

Cons:

DRYING!! face wash hurts when i wash my skin but i can deal! MOUSTURIZE ALOT!!

get it, got it, good. it works! I have mild acne by the way~
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July 16, 2007

Pros:

It is great for clearing up acne and making you feel like you have a whole new type of skin (Baby soft)

Cons:

This IS NOT a fast acting medication but anything that is going to be effective in the long run usually takes a long time to kick in (for example accutane.

You have to get past the 1 month marker to start seeing any benefits but it is worth it. So many people post and potentially turn others away because they complain its not working but they have only used it for a couple of weeks. Didnt your doctor tell you that it gets worse before it gets better? Anyways, stick with it my face is so sensitive so of course it peeled, reddened, hurt really bad but all that is worth it if you have struggled with acne for as long as I have. I have been on it for a little over a month and there are areas of my face that are starting to benefit and it is so clear and smooth. It will take probably another month or two to get the full benefits. HANG IN THERE IT IS WORTH IT!!!!!!!!
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July 12, 2007

Pros:

Cut way down on blemishes, especiallly cystic ones.
It was good for long-term use. A tube will go a long way. 2-3 was all I needed for an entire year.

Cons:

Not effective in preventing blemishes on my skin any more.

I am in my 50's and still have skin problems, so i've had way more experience with different acne treatments. I've used just about all of 'em. Retin-A worked well for 8-10 years which is a long time. Additionally, I found that the (newer) Retin-A micro did not work as well for me-it made my skin peel, whereas the Retin-A cream did not. Also, I found that GENERIC RETIN-A did not work! I don't care what they say, it is not the same and is not effective.
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July 7, 2007

Pros:

wash my face with cetaphil cleanser,doesnt make my skin that dry anymore.

Cons:

peeling,breakouts never know when they finish,red,burning not that bad tho.

ive been on Retin A micro 0.04 and the 1st week it burned,dryed out my skin, and peel. This is my 17th day using Retin A at night and Benzaclin morning, (cetaphel as a cleanser, and aveeno miosturizer even tho i didnt have to use it that much cuz my skin wasnt so horrobly dry) , and i think im going through the initial break out but im not sure because people say its a bunch of lil pimples, and im gettin huge pimples that hurt like hell and its hard to pop them they take at list 3days to die! and some lil pimples. Anyways, i get 3 at a time,blemishes, one goes away and im already getting one..is that the initial break out???? since it doesnt burn anymore im thinkin of gettin Retin A micro 01 percent, since its more stronger ,rite? is that a bad idea??? im really sad of not seeing results and i want some support =( i havent gone out for so long cuz im embarresed of this , my acne is not that bad but enough to make me feel uncomfortable. will i break out again if i chanve to 01 percent?
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July 5, 2007

Pros:

Clears out the face.

Cons:

Makes the skin extremely sensitive. Takes many months to work. Dries up the skin.

Great product if you're following the treatment consistently.
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July 3, 2007

Pros:

It helped a lot to clear my acne.
Also it helped fade some post-acne red marks.

Cons:

The side effects: it caused my skin to peel and felt burning but they only lasted about a week. Also it made my skin look red.

I've used Retin-A Micro (.025%) it for about 4 months along with Duac Gel. It helped with my major breakouts and now i have just a few zits. It's better if youget the lower concentration if you do get it so you'll have minimal side effects. Plus Micro seems to work better so ask your doctor about that. i got mine for free b/c of insurance.
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June 21, 2007

Pros:

It does help to reduce acne (i use the micro with clindamycin). all you have to do is clean your face and put it on and go to bed.

Cons:

It make my skin more oily especially when i wake up and it smells wierd.

It doesn't cost a lot of money and does end up working well with my other acne treating med. this definitely will help your acne to go away!!!!!!!!!!!
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May 30, 2007

Pros:

It's great, I encourage anyone who suffers from acne to try this product!! It does take time though, but stick with it and your skin will be clearer than it ever has been!!

Cons:

It takes a month maybe two to really start working. It makes skin break out at first and causes it to become very dry, but this only last about a month. STICK WITH IT!

It works! My skin is clear, smooth, and radiant! I can actually leave the house with no coverup! It was very hard to stick with it, I was about to give up after about a month and a half of using it, it was making my face so dry, but instead of giving up, I switched to once every other night, and used avveno night time moisture cream, it worked perfect!!
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May 27, 2007

Pros:

Helps skin drastically, insurance covers most of it, one of the best I've used so far (and I've been on differin, duac, evoclin, countless over the counter...)

Cons:

dry, flaky skin-- sometimes bad enough I had to get off it for a few days (what use is acne free skin if it's one big friggin flake?) but if i didnt use it, acne came back, so that's a lose-lose situation. starting to feel dependent on it

It affects everyone differently. You should try it. My skin dries out very very easily, but for someone who doesn't, this may work perfectly.
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May 19, 2007

Pros:

gets rid of acne, helps reduce appearance of scars

Cons:

takes a while to see full results,
irritating to skin at first

I always had acne, since I was 11! After years of trying everything else that claimed to rid me of the zits, I was willing to put up with the side-effects of tretinoin just to see at least SOME improvement. At first my skin flaked and turned red, and then I began breaking out even worse. By twelve weeks my face looked horrible, despite the promise of improvement by this time. Just when I was about to give up hope, I looked to online reviews (much like this one) to see if I should keep up the treatment. Luckily, I stuck to it and after SIX months I saw full results. My face was much more clear, my skin was much softer, my black heads were less noticeable, my scars faded away quickly, and my face was no longer irritated by tretinoin. I still consistently apply it every night, and I'm still enjoying the results. Also, a little tretinoin goes a long way! I'm only on my second 45 gram tube after almost a year! I suggest the generic tretinoin: MUCH less expensive than Retin-A brand and works
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Finding a Doctor

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

Finding a Doctor

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.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

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