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

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November 17, 2011

Pros:

*Got rid of my stubborn cystic acne
*It works with time

Cons:

*Made my face more red
*Little bit of a breakout stage
*Oilyness
*Peeling

It works and it does its job. I've been on it for about a month with doxycycline as well.. Hoping in a few months my acne will be all gone!
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September 8, 2011

Pros:

Smooth skin
unblocked stubborn blocked pores (very slowly though)
controls oiliness++
Cheap! (get a perscription from your doc and purchase online from Alldaychemist).

Cons:

Redness
Burning (if you put on too much)
Flaking
Constant inflammed pimples (may be just me)
Need lots and lots of patience

I started using retin A gel in March 2011. I have played around a bit with my regimen and have just started to get some consistancy going. First 3 months was really bad, I was not working so I could handle staying at home during that time. I was experiencing a lot of red, angry pimples that would take a while to fade and being impatient I would sqeeze tham and make them worse, or else have the same pimple come back again and again. So I learned to control the picking habit, and limit it only to pimples which had surfaced. 4th month was really good, nice and calm skin, I thought, the dreaded initial breakout was over... boy was I wrong... 5th, 6th month... started getting more breakouts, these were different, they were very deep and very stubborn. So, this is almost the end of 6 month of using retin A. So far, most of my pores have cleared, there still remains some active buggers mainly on my cheeks, but they will hopefully fade too. Bottom Line: Don't expect miracles, this is serious stuff and its takes a loooong time. So, if you are not seeing results after 3 months, don't be surprised! I hope to stick with it another 6 months, if my acne is not under control by then, then i will quit. I hope to post another review 6 months later.
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July 25, 2011

Pros:

Pros are - it works. Clears acne. Makes the complexion better. All sorts of scientific goodness in a tube. Price is reasonable.

Cons:

Some side effects - if you use too much and too often, your face peels - which - may not look all that good, however, it's simply doing it's job. If you can't tolerate this, switch to Retin-A Micro, or blend the cream with a moisturizer and use every other day.

I use Retin-A in cycles. A couple years on, a couple years off. It always does it's job. I usually use it for a few years - and get tired of the routine of using it. When I have an acne outbreak (especially cystic) - I use it again! It's the king of medicines for the skin - if you have too many side effects, use one of the retrinol products - they take longer to work, however, they are more mild.
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May 26, 2011

Pros:

-Face looks clearer and softer in parts where I didn't have acne before!
-Blackheads disappearing on nose!

Cons:

-Red marks just dont disappear
-Wrinkles around eyes
-White heads

I started using proactive about 3 weeks ago and that broke my face out bad, before my face wasnt that bad only a few pimples and white heads, but I still wanted to clear it up completely. After using proactive for two weeks i quit when i started using retin a micro .01% a week ago. I havent really noticed an IB because proactive did that for me I guess. I use it at night before i got to bed, waiting 20-30 mins before applying retin A after washing my face with cetaphil or purpose. In the morning i wash with cetaphil or purpose and moisturize with purpose with SPF 15. (Trying to decide which one i like more- cetaphil or purpose) Im also taking tetracycline twice a day, multivitamin, fish oil, vitamin d (cut dairy out of my diet) and protein (post workout and morning shake) Im hoping this stuff works in the next few weeks! Hope this review helps and I'm not giving up on this until it clears me up. Wish me luck!
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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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December 9, 2010

Pros:

-It cleared me up during the summer, but useless during the winter. (Utah anyway)
-It minimizes/gets rid of the worst zits.

Cons:

-can leave behind the small zits
-makes me look like I have a sunburn
-forces you to apply a lotion = shiny face.
-slightly irritating
-over dries in Winter

It makes you clear but leaves you with a face that looks sunburned and shiny due to the irritation in the summer, and can make it worse in winter. So overall, it is recommended.
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November 6, 2010

Pros:

gets rid of your acne!!!!

Cons:

the initial breakout!!!

Well, at first i got it for my pimples on my forehead i wasn't expecting my forehead to look SO HORRIBLE !!! luckily for me ALL MY ACNE ON MY FOREHEAD WAS GONE IN A WEEK AND A HALF!!!! i was extremely happy!! i totally think everyone should use it! the intial breakout made me extremely sad!! but the end was sooo worth it!!!! i haven't had a single pimple on my forehead in about 5 months!!! yay(:
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April 17, 2010

Pros:

Easy to put on

Cons:

Very drying
Initial breakout gave me worst acne in my life

My acne wasn't very severe, but my derm prescribed Atralin. She said it would help remove all the whiteheads I had under my skin. I read the reviews on here before I started using it and I thought I was ready for the IB. I was definitely wrong. This product made my acne probably 5 times worse than it had been, no joke. It wasn't bad a first, but the second week it turned into hell. I stuck with it thinking the IB wouldn't last much longer, but 4 WEEKS later my acne was the worst it had ever been and didn't show any sign of improvement. So now I'm stuck. I stopped using it and my face has been improving a little, but I have horrible hyperpigmentation from the IB. Maybe I should have stuck with it longer, but the initial breakout was just too severe and lasted too long for me to handle. I would only recommend this product of you're sure you don't have sensitive skin, and only as a last resort.
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April 5, 2010

Pros:

dries out acne, tightens skin, good on wrinkles!

Cons:

skin sort of hurts at first, flaky dry skin but still oily :'-(

I wasn't sure at first but I've been really happy with it so far. I've tried, benzoil,clindamycin,epiduo,egg mask,tea tree oil, Tretinoin is the first thing to actually dry out my acne and it's slowly starting to smooth out my insane bumpy pimple face! I'm getting an at home blue light in a couple days will use them together, tretinoin exfoliates and encourages cell turnover where the blue light kills bacteria, wish me luck!! Oh and by the way, I read it's good to switch off every other night between Retin A and a light glycolic gel, and I've been really happy with the results, didn't see results until after the first week
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March 15, 2010

Pros:

no IB, acne would last maybe 2 days, smoother skin, good for post-acne redness

Cons:

made my entire face one big crusty scab (even with moisturizer)

i have extremely oily skin and this definitely dried it out. however, i couldn't even leave the house for 3 weeks after i started it because my entire face was flaking and wearing makeup was impossible. i tried using less, switching moisturizers (i used cetaphil and olive oil), applying it ever other day.. but nothing changed. it didn't reduce my chances of getting acne but it did make it go away quicker, and it was good for the red marks from my cystic acne. i suppose it would be good for anti-aging effects too, but i would only use it for spot treatments.
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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