Tretinoin

Ok, here is the skinny on this stuff! I was terrified reading some of the posts on here regarding an initial breakout. Who wants to break out when that's the reason you're using this stuff to begin with?!! The truth is, I didn't break out bad at all. I did get some pimples for the first couple of weeks but they were really up close to the surface and were gone in a day or two. It brings a lot of white heads to the surface, and I was stupid to try to go after some before they were ready, hence resulting in a huge monster the next day! Don't do that! My feeling is the pimples that came to the surface were going to erupt anyway, this just speeds up the process and therefore clears skin faster. You will get some peeling and redness, but mine was gone before a week, just make sure you use a good moisturizer and *gently* exfoliate when needed to get rid of flakes. Here is the regimen my derm has had me on since May and I have not had a deep cyst or bad pimple since: AM: wash w/ Olay foaming cleanser Tretinoin .1%- a pea size amount for first 5 weeks, then increased to about dime sized amount after that. Cetaphil moisturizer (too greasy for me so I use an oil fee Kate Sommerville one instead, but good for when you're initally peeling from the Tretinoin because it won't burn) Spironolactone (water pill) 50mg PM: wash w/ my derm's brand foaming sal/tea tree cleanser Cetaphil moisturizer Spironolactone (water pill) 50mg My derm's own brand 20% benzoyl peroxide (comparable to Benzaclin but a little stronger)applied wherever you usually get zits, even if you don't have any at the moment. So, the combination of the water pill and tretinoin together has not only cleared my skin up, but has left it more beautiful than ever!

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sensitiveskin94

August 25, 2010

Pros:

-Fades red marks
-Makes my pimples come to a head

Cons:

-Dryness
-Makes my eyelids a little red and irritated (although most acne products do that to me at first so I guess I really can't complain)

First of all, I should mention that I've already been taking Bactrim for about 3 months, taking birth control for almost 5 months, and using BenzaClin nightly. My skin is, except for 2 small but painful pimples and 3 almost invisible bumps, clear. But that's only if you don't count the endless red marks all over my skin because any pimple I do get, I get a lasting spot on my face. I used this last night (Put on BenzaClin first, waited 15 minutes while I curled my hair, put this on, then 5 minutes later put on a sensitive skin lotion), expecting nothing but dry and painful flaky skin, like what happened last time. Wrong. Already after one day, my red marks are starting to fade, and my two ouchie pimples came to a head so I was able to pop them. One is already flat, the other slowly shrinking. Looking in the mirror this morning was a beautiful thing. I didn't look like someone had splattered me with red paint. Just pinkish spots. Beyond happy right now. I'm not saying this stuff is a miracle cream, because I have already been actively fighting my acne and I am using Atralin .05% for red marks only. So I'm not sure how this works if you have lots of acne. If you have light acne like I do, and are just trying to get rid of the marks, USE THIS PRODUCT. My skin is smoother even after one day. Try it. Use a pea-sized amount. You will love. I'm only going to use this 2-3 times a week for two weeks, then every other day for 2 weeks, and finally to daily. I don't want to shock my skin into hell. But really, guys. With Tretinoin, happiness is only an application away ;)

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Bianca

August 24, 2010

Pros:

-Did wonders for reducing hyperpigmentation
-Skin is more smooth & firm

Cons:

-First few weeks of inital breakout/redness can be very frusterating
-Must be extremely careful not to overuse it

I really urge people who are dealing with both hyperpigmentation & acne to try this product. After using Retin-A Micro .04% for two months, I noticed a drastic improvement in the dark marks I had, and was able to use less and less makeup as the weeks went by. No other product before has helped me with the discoloration at all. The side effects can be harsh at the beginning, but stay positive..It is so worth sticking to. Like all other acne medications, it may take more than just a few weeks for your skin to adapt and see full results. The key is to be very patient. And remember, less is actually more with this product. Given the choice, I can honestly say I would use Retin-A for years to come.

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Jen

August 16, 2010

Pros:

Cleared my acne the first 5 months
Reduced red marks and scarring (though they were caused by the severe breakouts from tretinoin)
Simple to use- only used neutrogena fresh foaming cleanser 2x daily and tretinoin at night
Cream lasted about 2-3 months

Cons:

After 5 months of use, moderate acne again
Price

I reviewed this 5 months ago (same name- Jen from PBG) and was so pleased at the time because of my absolutely clear skin (save for the red marks). My hyperpigmentation/scarring has gone down greatly, however at around month 5 of use (it's now been 10 months) I started getting pimples again. Not small ones, inflamed pustules...moderate acne again. I did switch to a higher %, from .05% to .1% to make my red marks disappear faster, but I don't see how upping the dose would cause pimples...my conclusion is that the effects aren't lasting. I ran out of the cream and will now try to change my diet again (ate a lot of grains and fiber, apples and nuts back during my clear skin period), and I'm also trying baking soda. Tretinoin is a good short term solution, but I'm just displeased that my clear skin didn't last. I might start using it again, but if it didn't clear my skin the last 5 months...maybe it's time for something new.

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Marie528

August 14, 2010

Pros:

Took a long time, but finally cleared my skin.
Improves skin tone and overall texture.
Creates scars, but fades them as well.

Cons:

The initial breakout/purging stage is not fun.
It took awhile to see any improvement.

I waited six months before I reviewed this product, because I wanted to make sure I saw the full results before posting. I've always had clear skin until my late 20's and then I began to break out. It kept getting worse and whenever my period rolled around or I was stressed my face would erupt in painful pimples and cysts. Going through acne when you're in your 20's and everyone around your age has clear skin is pretty rough. So I researched and decided to try Retin A. I didn't want to pay to see a doctor and get a prescription so I bought it online on a reputable site I had heard about. I started with the 0.01% gel. After a week the purging stage began and my skin was MUCH worse than before. This lasted for 3 months! I basically didn't go out most of that time, except with close friends. I was disappointed that it wasn't working fast enough so I ordered the 0.025%, but they only had it in cream. Even though I had read that the cream is comedogenic, I decided to try it anyway. I switched between that and the 0.01% gel for about a month, and was still breaking out. Out of frustration I finally made a doctor's appointment and got the prescription for 0.025% Retin A gel by Ortho Dermatologics. Within 2 weeks of using it I stopped breaking out. Before, I would break out in several pimples every week, sometimes over 10 active ones at the same time. I would also get large painful cysts on my chin. In the past month I have had about 3 pimples total, and usually around my period. No more painful cystic acne on my chin. When I get a pimple, it comes to a head much quicker and therefore heals faster. I couldn't be happier with the results. My advice would be to get an actual prescription for Retin A instead of buying it online. I think if I would have done that in the first place it wouldn't have taken 5 months to see any results. You MUST be patient on this med, it may take months to work but when it does it is SO worth it

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Murph89

August 11, 2010

Pros:

Definitely cleared up my skin, but patience is key. Worked well to fade old scars.

Cons:

Dried up skin like no other. Lips were chapped and skin was red. Once stopped, your acne might come back, like mine did.

Definitely worth giving a shot. I recommend however to be on it as long as you can, because once you stop, your acne might come back.

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Guest

August 7, 2010

Pros:

- clears skin up pretty fast depending on the severity of your acne
- skin becomes alot smoother
- skin becomes firmer
- skin glows
- works pretty fast in comparison to oral medications- i think it's because it's topical and apparently this medication is absorbed into your blood stream
- plumps up your skin

Cons:

- dries skin out like nothing else
- dryness is pretty bad for the the first few weeks/ months (its different for each individual)
- can take a while to work for some users
- It doesn't cure acne, acne may come back after you come of this

I am currently using Retin A (gel) 0.025%. I have been using this medication for around 6 months now. I live in the UK so it's easy to get this medication on prescription - either free if you are eligible, or for around £6.00. Other reviewers have described the initial break out period. Personally, I didn't have the initial break out, my skin never got any worse when I began using this, so I think it really depends on each individual user. Weeks 1-2 For me, this started to dry up my skin within the first few weeks and it continued for around 2 months. The dryness was very severe, and no amount of moisturiser/ oils etc was fixing this. This was probably the worst side effect,make up looks awful on, my skin became red and it peeled constantly. I hated going out. However, I wanted rid of my acne, so I persisted. At the same time, in the first few weeks I did see some improvement in my skin. Now for some users, it's going to take longer than a few weeks but my acne is light to moderate. Month 2 My skin had significantly improved by now. I still have dryness, although it's alot less severe. It's easier to use make up now, providing I prep my skin with a good moisturiser in advance. My skin is also glowing and its smoother. Month 4 onwards So it's been around 6 months now and my skin has improved significantly. Again, I still get dryness from time to time but for the most part my skin is clear and I'm much more confident about it. Final Thoughts Some reviewers gave up on this because it didn't work for them, all I can say about that is that if you are prepared to try this then STICK with it. After 2 months, you should see some difference if not a big difference. The dryness is definitely off-putting, but I try to think of it this way- if your skin is shedding, then so are your marks and I should mention it does lighten marks. If yor skin is dry or quite sensitive, then try the cream version instead.

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phillyd

August 6, 2010

Pros:

May get rid of acne after a couple months

Cons:

Redness, peeling, burning, itching.
Made acne worse.

I used retin a micro .04% and it was the worst thing ever. My skin was at its absolute worse after week 7

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imfromnj

August 6, 2010

Pros:

*good long term solution to acne
*Smooths out skin texture
*fades marks over time
*doesn't dry out skin if used correctly

Cons:

*will irritate at first
*works slowly
*need to give its a few months to work (and to purge

I think the reason most ppl dont stick with retin-a is b/c it takes a long time to work - but I also think its a very good permanant solution. Problem is must use religiously for months and even as you purge & breakout - you can't mix with other acne products, only a gentle cleanser (purpose). I think that is where most ppl go wrong. I have been on Retin-a micro and tazorac several times during the past few years, the first time I went on my skin responded the best, I was also on minocycline & used as directed religiously for several months. But, do not wear in the sun, and if u spend alot of time outside in the winter too, you will get irritated from cold dry air. Only use once at night and only the little pea size amt they direct, any more will resuly in a very red flaky mess.

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enny81nc

August 3, 2010

Pros:

Worked great for me as a teenager.
I like the idea that it might be good for wrinkles too.
No odor, easy to use.

Cons:

Problems with insurance - had to get verification from dr. I think this was to make sure it wasn't being prescribed for wrinkles.
Drying and peeling on initial use.
Maybe less effective on cystic acne.

I have used this product 3 times in my life. Each time it worked a little less effectively and I think that was due to the type of acne and the issues I was having at the time. When I was in high school this was an almost complete cure. I did have a lot of peeling and drying to start with but it was effective on my moderate acne (no cysts). As I have gotten older and my acne has transitioned to severe cystic and very much hormonally influenced, the effectiveness has dropped off. The last time I used it, almost 15 years after the first, there was no effect. So, I think this is definitely worth a try for mild to moderate acne.

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