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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4
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1
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Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

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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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March 15, 2011

Pros:

- makes SOME redmarks go away
- skin smooth after second month

Cons:

- super super drying, skin peels then cycles to smooth over the course of a week. Even in month four my skin can have a random dry spell.
- acne didn't fully go away, then started to come back
- gave me a huge rash all over my back
- terrible initial breakout
- comedonal acne

I've been using this in the morning and at night for four months. I can honestly say it has been a terrible experience. The initial breakout lasts FOREVER. Not only did it take 1.5 months to go away, but I had breakouts all over my face combined with cysts that I never normally get. After reading all of the reviews I put up with it because of the 'magic third month' where everything clears up and the world shines. Unfortunately that still hasn't happened, actually my acne is returning. When my skIn was lookin up I still had the odd pimple with a fair amount of blackhead things. I call them blackhead things because they were not the traditional blackhead. The thing is that my acne isn't really THAT terrible, but I'm pretty sure mine is 100% genetic. This was the last topical cream on my list so next stop is accutane. Hopefully this product works for others but in my opinion it really wasn't worth the initial breakout or the itchy scaly dryness.
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March 8, 2011

Pros:

This def worked on my cheeks and jawline
Smoothed skin
Helped hyperpigmentation from old breakouts.
Lessened wrinkles.
Decreased pore size a bit
Used for about 8 weeks so far...

Cons:

Doesn't work on my hormonal acne on my chin. But cleared everywhere else on my face.
Used in combination with Doxycycline which didn't work at all...so now on combo with clindamycin lotion.

This is a good cream, I would recommend but still have breakouts on my chin
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March 7, 2011

Pros:

-Increases self-esteem!
-Reduces pore size, especially on my nose.
-Hyperpigmentation (acne scarring) fades incredibly fast.
-Turnover rate (amount of time for pimple to appear and be gone) for new breakouts is less than 2 days.

Cons:

-Takes a significant amount of time to see results (over 2 months for me).
-Skin is very sensitive, dry.
-Initial breakout is painful and makes acne worse than before using the cream.
-Must be very patient when using it.

THIS PRODUCT WORKS! I have been wanting to write on this blog for over 2 months because I've used this site as a way to monitor my progress and also see how the product worked for others. It was comforting to know that other people were dealing with the same things as me and that IT WOULD GET BETTER with time! I suffered with acne in middle school (mostly on my forehead b/c I play hockey), but it cleared up during high school and into college. I had been using Proactiv since age 15 and I am 20 now. I enjoyed smooth, glowing, healthy skin with minor breakouts from time to time until August of 2010 when my eyebrow waxer told me to try an Aveda line of products to fully clear my skin. That was the biggest mistake I have ever made. In less than a month my skin had done a 180 and I had never had that much acne in my entire life (on my forehead, hairline, jawline, chin, around my mouth). It was a sad thing to look in the mirror and see that my skin was no longer smooth and clear, but covered in red bumps, blackheads, and white pimples. My self-confidence took a dive, hovering on the edge of depression. I didn't want to go to the store or class b/c I knew that people only saw the acne and didn't see me. I felt as though people were looking at me and wondering how my skin had gotten so bad in such a short time. I went to my doctor in December and he prescribed antibiotics (Tetracycline), birth control (Ortho-tri-cyclen lo), and topical medication (tretinoin/retin-a 0.05%). I have been using this combination for at least 2 months now and things have gotten much better. The initial breakout was hard to handle physically and emotionally b/c my acne got worse than I ever thought possible. My skin is almost back to it was before I had all this acne. (I would say 85% clearer). The hyperpigmentation is mainly the only thing I'm dealing with now, which will pass with time. PLEASE STICK WITH IT BECAUSE IT DOES GET BETTER! YOUR SKIN WILL CLEAR UP WITH TIME! BE PATI
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March 3, 2011

Pros:

improves skin texture / tone
rapidly exfoliates skin for new cell growth
a little goes a LONG way
clears skin after a period of time ( no product is immediate)

Cons:

sun sensitive
dries face (buy a good moisturizer i recommend Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 and Aveeno's Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer)

I have been using Retin A since November of 2010, and my acne has subsided durastically. I apply the topical ointment to my entire face ( about a pea sized amount on my forehead, each cheek, nose, and chin) at night after washing my face with a light cleanser ( I use Cetaphil). It takes roughly 2 weeks to see improvement - but after a month I saw a tremendous turn over in my skin's appearance. Four months later my skin is radiant, clear, and even my dermatologist (who i see bi monthly to monthly) has commented on the drastic change this has brought to my skin. It's the only alternative to Accutane I would recommend - I suffered from moderate/sever acne and I now have very light acne problems (which I get injected with cortisone.) I pay $5 with BCBS of Illinois Insurance.
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February 27, 2011

Pros:

Fantastic skin
Reduces acne significantly

Cons:

Takes time (time which you would have spent with acne anyway)
Initial breakout (again, this would have happened naturally, albeit at a slower rate)

Having posted a review last september after only 3 weeks of using retin-a, I now realise I was hasty in doing so. I claimed there was no IB for myself, however there was about a week later, lasting up to week 10. Around the following weeks was nothing short of a miracle, though. I now have so few spots I can allow myself to get annoyed at just 1 small blemish. My skin glows, and more importantly the ladies are noticing! :p So overall I'd say stick with this treatment and it will get you clear!
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February 27, 2011

Pros:

Really does improve skin
Evens out skin tone and texture
One bottle lasts a long time (3+ months!)

Cons:

Takes a long time to see improvement
Dries out skin (invest in a good moisturizer because the dryness doesn't seem to ever go away)
Expensive (I buy the brand name as I've heard the generic doesn't work as well)

I've been using Retin-A for several months now and I'm amazed. I've had acne for 10+ years. I didn't have any luck treating it until I started using Proactive along with birth control (Ortho-Cyclen). For a few years, that seemed to have solved all my acne worries. Unfortunately, my skin started to revert back to its teenager days. My dermatologist recommended that I use Retin-A and for a few months, an oral antibiotic (doxycycline). After I came off the antibiotics, my skin broke out again (but nothing compared to before). I kept using the Retin-A and now, about 3 months later, my skin is almost clear! I still get very small pimples but these go away in a day or two. My skin continues to dry out and flake. This is probably the most annoying side effect by far. I also find that it gets worse if I forget to use it for more than two days. So, invest in a really good moisturizer. If you just started using Retin-A, I really recommend that you bear through it for a few months. It does give you amazing-looking skin but you have to be patient!!!
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February 25, 2011

Pros:

- helps
- peeling

Cons:

- slow -.-
- gives the white thing

guys when its peeling it means its good its removin the damaged skin -.- sheese u should b happy -.-
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February 24, 2011

Pros:

Gets rid of black heads, really deep stubborn ones that i thought would never go away, these blackheads weren't pop able either!

Cons:

I used this product to get rid of or lighten my hyper pigmentation(Brown and red marks left from acne and sun damaged skin)

It works for black heads, its amazing at that.. that's all though.
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February 23, 2011

Pros:

Works.

Cons:

Makes skin super sensitive. Can be drying.

I've used it for 3 months. And I take cephalexin, also. I take cephalexin every night, and I use the retin-a every other night. I've found that when I use it every night, my skin starts flaking. It takes a long time to work, I've been on it for 3 months, and my skin just cleared up a week ago. But it's amazing. I use Basis bar soap, (3 dollars at drugstores), once in the morning and twice at night (to remove makeup/oil). And I use Dickinson's Witch Hazel (4 dollars at drugstores) as an astringent. I used to have terrible cystic acne. Now I have smooth glowing skin. Amazing turn-around. =]
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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