Tretinoin

I started using Tretinoin about 10 weeks ago, after trying absolutely everything- over the counter products [Proactive, Acne Free, the Clean and Clear system], as well as prescriptions [Differin, Benzaclin, and orthotricycline]. Nothing worked. I would check this site obsessively during the first few weeks to see other people's progress and hope that I would someday see a change. I was told to hang in there, because my face would get worse before it got better-and this was no exception in my case. My initial breakout was horrible-my face got so red and dry that it was painful to touch it, or even put lotion on. I didn't think that my acne could get worse, but this medication proved me wrong-I had it ALL over my cheeks, forehead, and jaw line. I figured that I would just continue using it for 12 weeks, and if nothing happened, I would take myself off of it. I've finally hit the stage where the results are amazing. I still have one or two bumps, but I haven't seen my face this clear since I was about 13-and I'm now almost 23. You need to use this product consistently and for multiple weeks [I know it seems like forever, but you will see results, and they are way worth it, believe me.] I'd definitely recommend this product. Good luck!

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marcel

February 6, 2011

Pros:

completley cleared my horrible blackheads and whiteheads that i struggled with for the past eight years....no more cysts either and my face hasnt looked this good since i was a freshman in high school

Cons:

took three months to work
initial breakout was bad but only lasted a week
leaves red marks that take a while to heal
took three months to see results but they happened kinda overnight
made the pores on my nose bigger

great product but u have to be patient and consistent

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jkidd43

February 5, 2011

Pros:

-clears up acne and scars
-as well as even skin tone
-changes life :)
STICK WITH IT!!!

Cons:

-takes a long time to work around two moths to see and real improvement
-may look worse at the beginning
-May look bad with sunscreen (oily) but ignore that
- low self esteem when starting

Well for everyone here I'm here to tell you I have struggled from acne and have had acne since my 8th grade year and have has oily and scar skin due to acne. I have tried alot of products On tv and they have failed me and many other people. So I went to my doctor and received 2 products TRETINOIN AND CP 1%. Use both once daily and use sunscreen in the mourning before you go outside always!!! It takes 2 months to see improvement so be patient !!!! And remember to put a pea size amount .. Wash ur face before applying and wait 20-30 min ....it will work for u like it worked for me :)) I hope u have success

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Nick

January 19, 2011

Pros:

- It works (unlike everything else I tried).
-You only need to apply it at night before bed.
- I found it to be not as irritating as benzoyl peroxide (which didn't work for me).
-You only need a small (pea-sized) amount

Cons:

-I think it needs to be combined with an antibiotic, either oral or topical, to be effective.
-Can irritate the skin if you apply too much.
-It took me months of consistent use for me to see results, I only became completely clear when I started taking minocycline.
-Initial breakout is not great, but don't give up!

It works but only if used with an antibiotic. I tried taking antibiotics alone before I was using tretinoin and they did nothing, but I found using tretinoin 0.05% cream at night and taking minocyline in the morning to be really effective. I also wash my face morning and night with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. Minocycline, Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser and 0.05% tretinoin - Please try this combination, I can't recommend it enough. Good Luck!

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Alvee E.

January 17, 2011

Pros:

-evens skin tone
-makes skin soft
-reduces pore size
-so far it seems to be working
-cheap if insured.

Cons:

-increased redness first weeks
-can be somewhat irritating
-initial breakout

I've had enough with my acne a few months ago and I went to the extremity and ordered a bunch of unnecessary garbage that didn't work for me and in between those months my face went from light-moderate to SEVERE I mean pimples galore! all over my cheeks and jaw lines, painful cysts. The whole works. So I went to derm and I was prescribed Retin-A, Clyndamicin, and some doxycyline pills. So for Retin-A seems to be doing it's job and I have noticed improvement overall but I made the mistake of playing soccer without sunscreen! So my face has been red and itchy these past few days but either way the creams seem to be working and I only have two weeks so I'll make another review in two more.

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Ava Young29

January 16, 2011

Pros:

Clears acne
Gets rid of acne scars

Cons:

Takes a while to start working
Dries out skin

I started using Tretinoin a few months ago, my acne was at a pretty normal amount but I was so sick of it (I tried pretty much every drug store product I could get my hands on) I decided it was time for a prescription product. So far Tretinoin has worked great for me, I did not have a bad initial breakout at all, my acne level stayed the same for the first few weeks.The only thing that I don't like about it now is that it dries out my skin very much and makes it very sensitive. Tips: Only apply a PEA SIZE or it will make your skin worse. Use a gentle face wash (I use cetaphil and highly recomend it)

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Clutchhh09

January 15, 2011

Pros:

Clear Skin
Scars are disappearing
Confidence
Keeps my face dry (Usually very oily)

Cons:

Initial Breakout
Minor Sensetivity

I am still celebrating the fact the I have found something that actually works and stays working. I've tried almost everything and I ended up having to go to UofM Dermatology to try prescription since Proactive and Clean and Clear aren't consistent. I was prescribed Benzoyl Peroxide, Minocycline and TRETINOIN. I can not explain the frustration and anger I had the first three weeks. I wanted to throw this stuff all in the trash. I had a really bad initial breakout. I ended up logging on to www.acne.org. What do you know? Most people are experiencing the same issues with these prescriptions. BUT when I started to come across some of the positive reviews about these prescriptions I noticed a pattern. They all had the same initial breakout but then finally after a month or two the cleared up. That was all I needed to continue Tretinoin and Benzoyl Peroxide use. About two weeks later and I feel like my face is clearer than a baby's. My face is now smooth, the scars are less noticable and I've had no pimples for a week now. I feel like a new man. Acne can really affect someone's self-esteem and confidence. It sure did effect mine. The results are so unbelievable that I had to take time to come back and register so I can share my experience. No one has to live with acne. If you really wanna be clear then just give it a try. You just have to be strong during your initial breakout because your skin will breakout more than ever. Anyway I know some of you visit this site for help on acne. Theres no need to read another review. Go to your dermatologist and ask for Trenitoin and Benzoyl Peroxide. It will change your bumpy life.

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angela719

January 15, 2011

Pros:

CLEARS ACNE
LIGHTENS SCARS

Cons:

Initial Breakout =(

I was so depressed about a year ago with my acne, it was horrible! I would cancel plans with friends because i just didnt feel like going out. I've been on Tretinoin(.025%) for roughly 7 months and my skin is seriously AMAZING!! Smooth and I get a occasional pimple, but who doesnt? I don't get deep ones, i actually have NO pimples right now which is something i couldn't say 7 months ago. Stick through the initial break out, put it on every night. Also, start with a low concentration, irritation doesn't mean it's improving any better. There was a research that actually said that the .1% vs. .025% had the same results just varied in irritation. I love my skin now =)

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KJL87

January 14, 2011

Pros:

Gets rid of bumps and deep painful cysts
affordable with insurance
little bit goes a long way

Cons:

Takes a long time to start working
dries skin pretty bad
can burn with first weeks of use

When I started using this product back in the beggining of December the doctor told me to use every 3rd night. But my skin was already so bad I figured, how much worse could it get. So I used every night, with an occassional break on a night here and there when my skin got so dry. i have now been on this for 5 weeks, and the bumps have REALLY dissapated. No more deep painful cysts THANK GOD! My skin no longer hurts to the touch, which is AMAZING. It still gets kind of dry but no where near as bad as when I started. I use aveeno baby lotion on my face. It doesn't make me break out and its made for sensetive skin. I love it. I use it everyday before I put my make up on. I do, however, still have the red marks from previous acne. i am hoping they go away in time. That's the only reason I even wear makeup now, since the bumps are gone I don't need to cover those =) So far i am impressed with tretinoin cream. It DOES take a while to work, so you DO have to be patient. And I didn't get much of an IB (initial breakout), I would totally reccommend this product to people!! =)

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citygirlsf

January 14, 2011

Pros:

Clears acne
Evens out skin-tone
Soften wrinkles

Cons:

Peeling and breakouts first few weeks

My dermatologist prescribed 0.1 Retin A cream and told me to use it every third night until my face adjusted to it. After a month or so I started using it every other night. I still only apply it every other night. I've been on it for two years and the only time I break out is when I'm dumb enough to stop using it regularly. I initially had very dry skin around my mouth & nose for the first couple of weeks & my skin broke out for the first month. I not only broke out with red angry pimples but I also had a great deal of blackheads. The blackheads are from all the dead skin. My dermatologist told me I would breakout & that it would take at least a couple of months before my skin cleared up so I was mentally prepared. For me the peeling was worse than the breakouts because you can't cover up dry, peeling skin with makeup. The purging/peeling phase is rough but so worth it to not have a lifetime of breakouts. You don't need another acne products, in fact using other products will just irritate the skin. I was advised to buy a pack of wash clothes so that I could use a fresh cloth to wash/exfoliate my face twice a day. I find that drinking lots of water & getting plenty of sleep also helps. Make sure to wait 30 minutes after washing your face before apply the Retin A & only use a pea-size amount of cream. It is also important to adjust your moisturizer as well as the frequency of the Retin A cream application with the changing of the seasons. I have to use a rich face cream & apply the Retin A cream on every third night during the winter months or else I dry out. As my Derm says "listen to your skin." Using this has changed my skin. Not only did it clear my cystic acne but it also got rid of the lines around my mouth & on my forehead. People think I've gotten Botox

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