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
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

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February 18, 2011

Pros:

It worked for 3 years, my skin never looked better

Cons:

After 3 years it sadly stopped working, like other products I have used successfully

Within 2 weeks of using this my skin had cleared up ! people kept on telling me how well I looked, not only did the spots go, but my skin had a healthy fresh glow to it. If I started to run out or stopped using it for a few days the spots would return. I had no adverse reactions, but then again I have never had sensitive skin. I loved it and it was fantastic whilst it lasted. Now sadly it stopped working and I have gone onto BP 10% in quinoderm. it seems to be working but not stopping all spots, and very drying and my skin has lost its healthy glow.
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February 18, 2011

Pros:

PLEASE READ!
helps get rid of acne faster
seems to reduce the oilies
gets rid of dark spots much faster than waiting!

Cons:

horrible if used improperly. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.

when i had bad acne, i hated this stuff. i felt like i had no hope. when you have new inflammatory pimples popping up every night, this product is useless. it doesn't stop them from coming. i had to quit dairy completely and start drinking tons of green tea to slow down my acne. what this stuff IS good for is damage control. make SURE you wash your face at night, dry it completely, wait about 20 minutes for your skin to feel really dry, THEN apply the medication. start with a small amount, and THEN move up if necessary. it says use a pea size for your entire face, but i use a pea size for each cheek, and i use the .1 gel, so it's some pretty strong stuff. i used to follow this routine and then wake up with dry skin that would peel horribly and in patches (sometimes deeply, to the flesh, UGH!!! PAIN)...but now, i've learned to slather a thick layer of cetaphil cream on top of my medication, about 30 mins after applying the tretinoin. the damaged skin still sloughs off, but much more evenly and more safely since the cream seems to decrease the strength. this routine works like a dream, but it does kinda ruin my sleep at night, b/c i'm conscious to not roll over on the side of my face...but it's totally worth it. my dark marks are fading so quickly, and my acne seems under control. i do still get pimples every day, but small ones that are barely noticeable (for the most part). my skin isn't perfect by any means, but i'm much happier about it, and i suggest you try this product along with playing with your diet and seeing if it's causing your acne. quitting dairy was a face-saver for me, and i highly recommend a trial period of no-dairy if you're at your wit's end. best of luck! sorry this is so scatterbrained and disorganized...i typed it up really quickly while watching tv. ALL THE BEST!
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29 user(s) found this helpful

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February 18, 2011

Pros:

helped more than anything else I've tried
pimples heal faster
scars fade more quickly
reduced oiliness a bit

Cons:

Initial breakout– don't expect results sooner than 12 weeks!
still have mild/moderate acne
expensive (for me)


dryness/flakiness

I have PCOS and have struggled with adult acne for 8 yrs. I've tried Duac, Benzaclin, Finacea, some oral antibitoics, and I can't even remember what else. I have not yet tried the big guns' Accutane, Spiro, etc. My acne has ranged from moderate to moderate-severe. It is inflamed but not cystic. I've been on Retin-A off & on for several years. The only time I stop it is when I'm pregnant. Each time I start using it, I have a bad initial break out. It takes a solid 12+ weeks for me to see results with Retin-A, but I eventaully get them. For me, Retin-A brings my acne to a tolerable/manageable level. I wish it did more, but my acne is hormonal so I think there's only so much topicals can do. Retin-A did clear my forehead completely and almost eliminated blackheads on my nose. It also makes pimples heal and scars fade much faster. But I also battle a lot of dryness/flakes, despite the fact that I've used it for so long. So there are pros and cons. For me, the results I have are worth it even though my skin is not perfect. I wish I could say it worked wonders, but I think Retin-A is about as good as topical treatment is going to get for me. P.S. I started using jojoba oil 3 weeks ago and that has helped a lot with the flakes, so you might consider adding a few drops of that to your moisturizer if you are on Retin-A.
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39 user(s) found this helpful

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February 17, 2011

Pros:

Fast acting!

Eliminates cysts and small bumps

Cheap

Cons:

Peeling

Burns

Office visit

I have used this product before for a whole year. I use to glob it on and I didn't wait 20 minutes after wash to apply the medicine. HUGE MISTAKE!!! My acne never cleared up and my face use to be so oily and red. After reading the reviews I now only use a small pea size. I wait to apply the medicine after 20 to 30 minutes after cleansing. Now that I followed the recommended usage my face is now 90% clear and my skin looks shiny and new. I wish I had done this sooner!!!
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20 user(s) found this helpful

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February 17, 2011

Pros:

Skin is soft and clear

Cons:

Some dryness but not bad

I started with .5% but it didn't work. Then last month I switched to .1% cream and it has worked wonders. No pimples, cysts, anything! I also upped Spiro to 100mg so that might have helped too but I think the .1% tretinoin cream has made my skin look so much better. I didn't have any problems with this product except on the lower dose which was ineffective. Follow the directions on how to use it and you shouldn't have any problems!
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February 16, 2011

Pros:

i have been useing retin-a 0.1 %..for many years...it is the only product that
keeps those uninvited bumps away..
since being on retin-a...no more pimples..plus
my skin is softer & smooher...

Cons:

i too went through the red dry scaly ..
ugly skin thingy for about 2 months..
but have to say it was really worth all the sobs ...

pricy ..even with insurance.. nontheless..the benifits are exceptional !
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February 14, 2011

Pros:

Makes skin smoother
Helped acne somewhat, but I can't be sure how much
Never had the initial breakout

Cons:

Didn't clear up my face
Drying, makes skin sensitive

I'm not really sure whether to recommend this product or not. It didn't particularly hurt my skin, but the results aren't noticeable enough for me to say it's great. I suppose I'd say it's worth a try.
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16 user(s) found this helpful

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February 10, 2011

Pros:

Cleared up acne
Pore size decreased
Takes two months to actually notice any difference but stick with it.
Haven't had a major break out since

Cons:

Can dry out skin

I've been using Retin A for over a year now and I absolutely love it. I started breaking out last winter terribly and tried benzoyl peroxide and other prescribed medication but the only one that actually works in Retin A. It took awhile to actually work and I was worried at first but in the end it's well work it!
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February 9, 2011

Pros:

Skin is now smooth
Wrinkles reduced very quickly

Cons:

Major breakout first week
I think not for older people

I am 58, and my dr. prescribed something new, Tretin-X cream .0375% for my wrinkles and whitehead/blackheads which I have had my whole life. First week was awful -- I had pimples and whiteheads/blackheads in places I never had before. Both cheeks were blistered and crusty and the areas around my eyes (where the wrinkles were), were severely swollen. Went back to my doctor and she said to stop it and gave me Finacea gel 15%. So far after a few days, so good. All of the blisters/swelling are almost all gone and my face is smooth and wrinkles around eyes are not bad. However, I am OFF the Tretin-X until further notice from my doctor. Hopefully, I can find some sort of balance with this medicaion. I so wanted it to work for me. Fortunately, I did not have to pay anything because my dr. gave me samples to try.
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February 8, 2011

Pros:

+ The stuff's amazing. I barely break out any more, and get very few, if any, cysts.

Cons:

- It made me flake, though not in a big way. This isn't a huge con... in fact, it's sort of a sign that the Retin-A is doing its job. That said, if you get too dry, move to a lower concentration or buffer with a moisturizer.
- It took a long while to work. Stick with it. Look at these reviews. A majority of the people who have used Retin-A for an extended period of time report favorable results. The disappointed ones seem to be the impatient ones. Coincidence?

I use really strong Retin-A gel (0.1%), and it is the only topical that has had a considerable effect on my skin. My skin, in addition to being clear, is soft to the touch! The doctor initial gave me a low concentration cream. Wrong wrong wrong! The cream version makes me break out terribly. I eventually found that only gel did the trick, and only the 0.1% concentration worked on my uber-oily skin. ***However, I should note that the cream worked really nicely on my chest, where I had some really nasty hyper-pigmentation from previous cysts (and also some active cysts). The get proved to be too harsh for this area. Give this a try for a few months. If you really need to speed up the process, try an antibiotic at the same time (I'm on minocycline).
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15 user(s) found this helpful

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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