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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Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

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November 25, 2010

Pros:

-Clears skin eventually
-Makes skin soft and smooth

Cons:

-Will dry at first- don't be alarmed
-I grew immune to it, it doesn't work at all anymore ):

I first used it by mixing in with my moisturizer. After a few months of flaky, dry skin (which my dermatologist warned about), my skin started to clear up dramatically. At about 8-10 months of using it continuously, i noticed that it had completely stopped working. My dermatologist recommended to use it full strength by switching off trentoin, moisturizer, trentoin, each night. I've been doing so for almost 2 months and I still haven't seen an improvement from before. It starts bad, gets worse, then works, but eventually wears off.
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November 24, 2010

Pros:

Got rid of acne
Got rid of most scars
Prevented immediate breakouts

Cons:

Made skin sensitive
Made skin very flaky
Dried out skin

My dermatologist prescribed me Retin-A Micro (grey tube) then once they saw it was hardly working they gave me the purple tube; slightly stronger. Well, after a month of use it finally worked. Almost 6 months later and I'm starting to get used to waking up most mornings with no acne! More importantly, I've stopped using it for two months already and I can count the number of zits I get every month on one hand; for me that is a big difference from getting 5-6 new zits every week. Before it would take almost a week for my acne to disappear and a month for the scars to, now it only takes a few days for the acne and a week for the scars depending on how well I take care of it. I think the medicine plays a large role in the reduction of my skin problems but I believe the larger reasons are due to my increase in hygiene. I used to only wash my face once a day, now I do it twice. I change my pillow cases at least once a week. I wear a cap at night to keep the oil from my hair to come in contact with my skin and I drink lots of water, hardly any vitamins are included. Oh, and I don't use soap on my face, just water. Find what works you. btw: am I they only one that paid
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November 22, 2010

Pros:

Cleared my skin
Hyperpigmentation is fading
Pores tightened
Younger looking skin

Cons:

Inital dryness, peeling, red skin, break out (which wasn't that bad because I was also started on Doxycyclin oral and Clidamycin), but with time I don't experiance ths anymore.

I started using 0.5% Retin A in March of this year, my skin was terible. I had cystic acne, large pores oily skin; my skin was tender to touch because of my pimples. So I saw my Dr. and she prescribed 0.5% Retin A, and oral and topical antibotics. 9 mos later I can not belive how good my skin looks. My doctor told me to wait it out because the results would be amazing (she herself stated she has been using retin A for 5 yrs). I don't have to wear make up unless I want to, just some spf 30 and I'm good. With my insurance it cost $10.00 and I am just finishing my first tube.
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November 21, 2010

Pros:

Cleared cysts
Cleared overall acne
Cleared redness
Acne control

Cons:

Itchy
Very drying
Takes time to clear
You need to continue using it

It was horrible when I first started since the initial breakout was the worst thing imaginable.. BUT! I stuck it out and I'm currently at 3 months and 4 days and I've never had such AMAZING skin in over 8 years! I can't believe how much of a miracle this has been for me.
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November 21, 2010

Pros:

- I actually get comments on my glowing skin!
- Eliminates acne (cystic and pimples)
- Make skin very smooth
- Easy application (be sure to WAIT 20 minutes after washing your face before application!)
- Clears up acne scars I've had for years

Cons:

- Initial breakout
- Makes skin more sensitive to sunlight

I was iffy about starting Retin-A after reading the reviews about the so-called "initial breakout" but I was desperate for change. I decided to start Retin-A over the summer when I knew I wouldn't be seeing my friends a lot and I'm glad I did. The first three months made my skin breakout across my cheeks and chin but the truth is, I was so full of acne that it really couldn't get too much worse. Frustrated, I turned to using Benzaclin in the AM and Retin-A at night which seemed to help and I continue that regimen now. I would advise teens and young adults to start Retin-A during a time such as summer vacation when you'll have a fresh start. The only downside to this was that it was also sunnier and my face did burn a couple times on beach days, but I could have worked harder to avoid them. It is now fall and I have been using Retin- A for about 5 months. I cannot tell you how OVERJOYED I am at the results. Where there used to be acne, I now have clear, glowing skin. A friend of a friend complimented me on my "porcelain doll skin" about a month ago and I actually started crying in happiness when she said so. I never believed I could be that person others look at as beautiful. I have never felt better about myself and this product has 100% changed my life. Overall, this product is absolutely worth the wait. Keep it up, even when you feel like it might not be working. It is so worth it in the end :) Thank you, Retin- A.
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November 15, 2010

Pros:

-Clears acne very quickly
-Gets rid of acne scars
-Smoothens skin
-Makes skin almost flawless <3<3<3

Cons:

-Initial breakout for some people
-Dries out skin (can be a pro)
-Flaking
-Increased photosensitivity

I love this medication! I have the 0.01% gel, and have been using it for almost 3 weeks now. I did not experience an IB but it did cause serious dryness (to the point I had to moisturize every 10 minutes) and had serious flaking. I was lucky and was excluded from School when I had my week of pure flaking and redness; and now I'm in school again, and have recieved lots of comments about how much my skin has improved. So happy :)
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November 15, 2010

Pros:

reduces acne

Cons:

some redness

It works for me, but I've also been doing a number of other things.. eating healthy, birth control, 10% benz wash, SPF 15 every morning.. I only use RetinA at night, and a very small amount- as directed by my dermatologist. Once in a while I use a nice scrub too. BUT, overall I would recommend it. I had HORRIBLE acne, and with all the things I've been trying, I'm finally starting to clear up! I also had NONE of the side affects other people listed... :P
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November 15, 2010

Pros:

Makes skin smooth
Made pores smaller

Cons:

Made face extremely red, itchy, flakey
Burned whenever I applied it
Initial Breakout never went away!

I was on this retin-a for over 9 months and it never fully cleared my acne. My initial breakout lasted about 5-6 months and I still broke out after that. It did however make my skin smoother. My skin went through cycles, it would be smooth for a week, then itchy, red, and flakey, and it would repeat. Also, my skin would become extremely dry halfway through the day and it was embarassing. Overall, I had high hopes because of the positive reviews but it didn't work for me. If your acne bugs you enough I would say try it, but your skin will never return to its original state :(
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November 14, 2010

Pros:

No more cysts!
No more red pimples
Kind of glowy skin
Smooth skin
The bottle lasts long
No IB

Cons:

Can't tan anymore
Sensitive skin
Dryness
Scared that if I stop using it it's gonna come back

I have been using it for about 9 weeks and I am really starting to see the results. At first, it hurts and your skin is crazy dry and when you rub your comforter on your face it's painful. After like 2 weeks it stops hurting but is still dry and at around 6 weeks you wash your makeup off, look in the mirror and just say wow! I had around 10 small pimples and one cyst everyday on my face, especially around my nose and on my forehead before and my dermatologist told me that if I didnt start to do something, it would become adult acne. I am 19 and started having acne in the last 2 years. I only had IB for the first 2 weeks. I was miserable for a few days and i was lucky enough for it to stop on the 3rd week. The only downside that is kind of huge for me is that i cant tan anymore. Its written on the box and my dermatologist told me its would burn like crazy and cancel the effects. I was a huge tan addict before that and feel pretty bad about being so white. Since i have olive skin, when i dont tan i look slighly green and sick. I tried self-tanner but it makes spots when you apply the gel over it since it increases skin peeling. But i guess it's better to be cancer-free, acne-free and white so I am going to keep using the products until my dermatologist tells me to stop and i love the results! ps- dont use a face wash with salicylic acid cause its going to burn pps- exfoliate!! like 3-4 times a week Good luck
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November 13, 2010

Pros:

works for some people

Cons:

makes skin extremely dry, red, painful, increases sensitivity
makes you break out

First of all, I know that this product is supposed to regenerate your skin so all of the acne under the surface comes out at once...but for me, using this product was one the WORST DECISIONS I've ever made. Before I started using tretinoin, I had mild acne (~4-5 pimples on an outbreak) but I had a handful of small under the surface pimples so I decided to try retin-a. The first week nothing happened. Second week: ~7-8 pimples. third week: >10. I broke out in places that I've never had acne....between my eyebrows, on my chin, and around my jawline. By the time the second month came around, almost every surface of my face had a bump on it. To top it off, they were extremely inflamed and irritated from the medicine. (Btw, I use less than a pea size at night...and use an SPF 70 lotion in the morning to prevent sun irritation.) Anyways, this medicine made me get really painful and itchy cystic acne, little under the surface ones, and juicy ones. I toughed it out waiting for the result for 4 MONTHS (not exaggerating). During that period, I became extremely self-conscious and semi-depressed...I just kept thinking, it'll be worth it. My face was sooo bad. The acne that appeared took forever (~3 weeks) to go away and it left huge indents in my skin. Oh and NOTE: huge indents and large cystic acne cannot be covered with makeup! I tried, but makeup cannot hide the mountains and valleys on your face. I've since stopped using tretinoin and my skin has gotten a lot better. I went back to using Benzaclin once a day. My face is no longer inflammed and some of the acne vanished. I'm still trying to recover from the damage though. I have a lot of scarring on my face and still a lot of pimples but much better than before. This may work for some people, but BEWARE. If you do not have bad acne to begin with, DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT. I hope this review saves some people from experiencing my horror story. I really regret my decision to
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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