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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5
21.8%
4
32.3%
3
21.6%
2
14.8%
1
9.4%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

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July 9, 2011

Pros:

Not too expensive
Lightens scars a bit (over time)
Dries out pimples fast

Cons:

Initial Breakout
May make scars more noticeable
Skin peeling
Must use Sun Screen

I started out with moderate acne and my doctor prescribed me this in conjunction with doxycycline pill for a month. For the first 2-3 weeks, I broke out and I was on the urge to quit using this but I knew I had to keep using it in order to benefit. After about a month and a half, I stopped breaking out, I have little to no pimples but I am left with many acne scars. (I stopped pills) Now I am just applying this every night hopefully it will lighten my PIH and scars. I'm still unsure about this product though... Hopefully I will see better results in a month or two!
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March 17, 2011

Pros:

Clears up acne (so far for me just a little bit)
Reduces pore size
Easy to apply

Cons:

Initial breakout is absolutely HORRIBLE!
I have been using this for about 7 weeks now, and my skin has only just started to turn a corner. I have obsessively checked this website over the past couple of months, and took everyones advice to be patient. I think (hope) that patience if finally starting to pay off slightly. At 7 weeks, my face still isn't clear, but I am not getting the constant angry red pimples that I have been getting since starting this product.

I think and hope this product works, but you really have to have a TON of patience, and expect your acne to get a lot worse before it gets better. I am still waiting for that miracle day that everyone describes where I wake up to beautiful skin, but I hope it's coming soon since it really is starting to improve. TIP - Wait the 20 mins to apply the product. I hadn't been waiting the 20 mins to for the first 6 weeks, and my acne was awful. Way worse than ever before. I noticed when I finally started waiting the 20 mins, it began to improve. It used to sting when I put it on, and it doesn't now that I am waiting awhile. So I think this step is very important. It also stopped the red, scaly patch I had on my chin when I waited a while to apply it. My doc prescribed me Minocyclene, Retin A Micro & Benzoyl Peroxide. I ditched the Minocyclene after 3 weeks. Wasn't seeing any improvement and had concerns about being on an antibiotic long term due to side effects. I have a prescription for Yaz, but I am holding off another month just to see if my skin will clear up with just the Retin A & BP. I hope this helps you!!
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November 26, 2010
This is my first review i've ever written. I'm doing it to help people. I struggled with acne since age 12. Im now 20. Nothing has worked. Except tretinoin. Oh, and the pills worked too, the doxycilin or wat ever u call them. But they had bad sideaffects. Tretinoin leaves my face looking amazing. The scars fade and i have alot! Im on benzoyl peroxide 10% face wash, tretinoin cream 0.1%, and clindamycin phosphate topical lotion 1%. This is my second day on this regimen and acne is healing, you can see flexibility in my skin again. Almost as if i never had acne. This worked where proactive, murad, duac, benzoyl peroxide, acne free, did not. Im sorry but u cant compare other products to this. This stuff is amazing.
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August 16, 2010

Pros:

Cleared my acne the first 5 months
Reduced red marks and scarring (though they were caused by the severe breakouts from tretinoin)
Simple to use- only used neutrogena fresh foaming cleanser 2x daily and tretinoin at night
Cream lasted about 2-3 months

Cons:

After 5 months of use, moderate acne again
Price

I reviewed this 5 months ago (same name- Jen from PBG) and was so pleased at the time because of my absolutely clear skin (save for the red marks). My hyperpigmentation/scarring has gone down greatly, however at around month 5 of use (it's now been 10 months) I started getting pimples again. Not small ones, inflamed pustules...moderate acne again. I did switch to a higher %, from .05% to .1% to make my red marks disappear faster, but I don't see how upping the dose would cause pimples...my conclusion is that the effects aren't lasting. I ran out of the cream and will now try to change my diet again (ate a lot of grains and fiber, apples and nuts back during my clear skin period), and I'm also trying baking soda. Tretinoin is a good short term solution, but I'm just displeased that my clear skin didn't last. I might start using it again, but if it didn't clear my skin the last 5 months...maybe it's time for something new.
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March 15, 2010

Pros:

None..?

Cons:

My cheeks and face were peeling a lot. I turned BRIGHT RED and even when I stopped using it for awhile, my face remained red. My skin got so sensitive and burned when I put anything on it.

I guess my skin can't handle it. I look 100x's worse now because I am so red and pimply. Maybe I need to wait it out to see the results, but I don't think it's worth suffering through this if you have really sensitive skin like I do.
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December 4, 2009

Pros:

Began to clear up my back/chest acne after a month.
Cheaper than other options.

Cons:

Never even touched my facial acne.
Severe headaches.
Problems focusing my eyes.

If you have mild acne it might work for you, but it didn't do much for me. My chest and back acne, as stated under Pros, began to clear up after about a month. If I had been able to stay on it longer, maybe my face would have cleared up. I started to have pretty nasty headaches after about 2 weeks on the drugs, did some reading and found that's a "normal" side effect. But as a migraine sufferer I don't want "extra" headaches. I also wasn't crazy about the idea of using an antibiotic for my acne. I wasn't pleased with it.
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September 30, 2009

Pros:

Works so well, with time! took about 2 months of using it regularly for it to really take away my acne. Also improved past acne scars, and overall appearance of skin. Easy to use, only needs to be applied once a day.

Cons:

Takes atleast 1 to 2 months to really see improvement. Acne will get slightly worst when you first start using it.

I've had really bad acne on my forhead, chin, and around my mouth for 10 years, and this is the first product that has really improved my acne. I have been using this product for about two and a half months now, and I have not had one pimple in about a month. I also wear makeup almost everyday. This is the first time in 10 years that I don't have a pimple on my face and I am just extremely happy. Yes, it takes time to work, but it is so worth it. I've tried many things over the years, and this is the only thing that works for me.
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August 31, 2009

Pros:

Works Somewhat, Smoother skin, not so much for scars but helped the active acne somewhat.

Cons:

doesn't do miracles for my scars, idk

The above review is for RETIN-A MICRO .10% , which is what I'm on right now. Before this I was on non brand tretinoin gel 0.01.% (like retin-a) and it was absolutely amazingggg! scars faded, no new acne, best skin I've ever had!!! Then my doctor randomly changed the prescription without consulting me. Needless to say, I'm going to get my old prescription before I go back to boarding school. So here's my word to the wise: Don't think that just because it's the micro it will work better, don't think that a higher percentage it'll give you better results-same goes for the brand.
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August 29, 2009

Pros:

Clears face, evens skin tone, diminishes the looks of scarring and other imperfections on my face

Cons:

Skin is a little flaky and irritated at times. I made the mistake of putting it to close to the corners of my mouth and it got really dry and painful. Now ive put lots of chapstick on and I am feeling fine. Skin is less and less dry.

I started this product because I was having acne breakouts as a side effect of my medications I am on. After first couple days of use (applied twice daily) I noticed my acne drying up quite quick, skin was dry and red but manageable. I haven't really noticed a "breakout" but I have noticed like maybe two pimples have appeared just underneath my chin...I think beause initially I was not applying the cream there. Now that I have been applying cream all over entire face, I have noticed no more breakouts. I bought a mild exfoliating pad from the makeup section in Walmart...I exfoliate my face with it once a day to remove dead skin and it works amazing. I've been on this retinol-a for about two weeks and several people have commented on how great my face is looking! just endure it for the first while...I have tried EVERYTHIN on the market for acne, even total body cleansing and RETINOL-A is the only thing that is working!! Retinol cost 25.00 but my insurance paid 80% of that. Good
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June 12, 2009

Pros:

Quick healing

Cons:

Initial breakout, dry skin

When I started using this product, it was the first time I truly felt like I could live my life without having to worry about my acne. I was so pumped, and though I've read the bad reviews about the initial breakout, I promised myself I would stick with it. And I did. When I thought it was the worst it could get, it got even worse. I thought it was healing, it was purging. All those pimples plus the dry skin just made it worse. But I stuck with it. And I believe that finally, after nearly 3 1/2 months, I am noticing a significant difference in the quality of my skin. I am still breaking out slightly,from the real deep stuff, but the scars and such are healing so quickly, its as if they were never there. And the dark spots and scars from past pimples are finally fading! My skin is smoother and the quantity of bumps under my skin is def going down.And soon, hopefully this summer or before school starts again, I can walk out of the house, proudly without make-up.
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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