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Side Effects
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.
Used Tretinoin? Rate It:
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September 5, 2014
What should I do?
I started using this on 29th August. This is my second week and I'm breaking out like crazy. It's very itchy. I feel like giving up. I feel like crying whenever I feel my face with the back of my hand. I'm worried that the breakout will get worse since I have a graduation ceremony to attend on 15th October. What should I do? Stop using it or continue with it? What's going to happen if I stop using it? Can I use anything that can calm my skin (breakout) down? How long is this breakout going to last if I continue using it? Please let me know. Thank you.
August 8, 2014
Tretinoin but be patient
Only cream that will actually work but may take a few months but will be worth it. I used tretinoin a few times and quit because I thought it was aggravating my acne but I now know that it gets all the bad gunk out first and brings the next skin cells up to the surface. I used this for about a month before taking accutane and haven't experienced an initial breakout so far( on day 9) .... Be patient
December 19, 2013
Requires patience
Cons:
Takes a long time to work
Causes skin to be flakey and dry
Can be irritating for those with sensitive skin
This is a review specifically for Retin-A Micro. For years I had been trying to get rid of closed comedones on my forehead area that just never seemed to go away. I was prescribed Retin-A Micro by my dermatologist. At first I found it to be irritating (I have very sensitive skin) and it make my skin dry and flakey. I decided to use it every two days instead. After about 3 months, I noticed that the closed comedones were turning into blackheads....I wasn't sure if that was progress or not, but continued using the product nonetheless. I would say it took a good 6 months before I saw any good results. Now, I hardly have any closed comedones (whiteheads) left. You have to be patient, but it does work.
November 25, 2013
Product used: Atralin (Tretinoin (.05%) Gel)
couldn't quite stick it out
Cons:
causes more breakouts
irritated/flakey skin for a few weeks
After about 3 months of suffering terrible breakouts after I started this gel, I decided I just couldn't do it anymore. I was getting deep, painful pimples that were leaving scars and I wasn't seeing improvement anytime soon.
July 31, 2013
Good so far..
Pros:
my face is soft
scarring beginning to fade
Cons:
initial breakout
dryness
peeling
i'm 15 and i have mild acne, mostly acne scarring on my cheeks and sometimes medium sided pimples on my forehead. i went to the doctor and she prescribed me the Tretinoin Cream in 0.025%. after reading many of these reviews, i was nervous for the initial breakout to be bad. After a few days, it made me flake and dry and it was a very uncomfortable dryness. I had to skip a night of usage because it was so dry. because of this, i bought a clean & clear moisturizer and i use Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes in the morning, it really helped with the dryness and the peeling on my face, i really recommend using these products. It has been 12 days of use and i do see an improvement in my skin, although when my skin started getting dry i got a few breakouts on my forehead which are mostly flat now, so i think i'm passing the initial breakout period which means this medication is working fast. my face currently is very soft and i see a good improvement. Also, before i apply the tretinoin, i wash my face with clean & clear morning burst (wait 20-30 minutes of course) then apply and go to sleep. I highly recommend the products i mentioned in this and i will make an update in a few weeks.
April 23, 2013
Pros:
great for anti-aging, great for shrinking pores, great for clearing regular acne but doesn't stop boils nor deep acne. Not until I started using Dan's regimen. Every night I apply his wash, wait 5 min, apply his benzyl, wait 15 min, apply 2 pumps of his moisturizer, wait 1 hour then apply Retin-A. My skin has not looked this good since I was 19. I started to get boils in my 20's I am 41now. Last 2 years my boils had to be injected with cortisone monthly. Derm wanted me to use acutane.
Cons:
It doesn't work well on it's own. I tried it with glycolic and also with salicylic acid but I kept getting huge boils that would have to be injected with cortisone.
I love Dan's regimen with RetinA. The retinA gives me a great peel to keep my pores tight and my skin looking bright and youthful. Dan's regimin and products stop acne in it's tracks and prevents new boils. This combo is amazing for my skin. Not sure if a lot of others could handle these two together as they are both very strong but my skin is flawless using both together. And the moisturizer is perfect although I do glob it on but it works amazingly well.
March 27, 2013
Pros:
Works great!
Hasn't caused any peeling or flaking.
Generic brand is inexpensive.
Cons:
None
I've only been using Tretinoin 0.05% for about a couple weeks. My dermatologist gave me the cream months ago but I was really hesitant using to use because of the possible side effects. In my case I dont break out on my face, my breakouts usually occur on my jawline and my neck. So when I finally decided to use tretinoin I was at awe how it completely changed my skin's texture. In my case I didn't have a initial break out which most do. My derm did admit that when one first begins using tretinoin they usually breakout the first week. But not in my case! Stay positive and make it a routine and you should be fine. Because clear skin is on the way :)
March 20, 2013
Pros:
Works!
Cons:
skin sensetive to light
Ive had acne for 20 years! 3 years ago I got tired of hidding from the world and tried this. The first year my skin was the worst its ever been. My skin usually had about 20-30 pimples and was filled with dark spots. Now, my skin is still imperfect but its so much better. I only have 2-3 small pimples and less dark spots but there are still alot of them. Im still hideous but i feel ok leaving the house now.
February 19, 2013
Pros:
Works
Cons:
Takes a little bit of time to work, but eventually you'll see results.
So Retin-A is pretty much the cream version of Accutane. I've been on Retin A for a while now and I really like it. I'm on the strongest dosage now and my skin has been clear for a while now. This, paired with Cetaphil Derma Control, has done wonders for my skin. I also take minocyclin for that pesky under the skin acne. You just got to give it time. I'm reading these reviews about people who are unhappy with their results. You really just got to be patient and keep it up. Trust me, I've been there. The wait is worth it.
February 14, 2013
Pros:
too early to tell
Cons:
I'm starting to break out bad ...I'm in the third week
I'm on tretinoin cream 0.025% and clindamycin pledgets ...I'm on my third week of using them and I'm starting to break out bad....I've been crying about it and I just want to give up already because I've suffered with acne for a little less than 10 years. I'm 22 and my acne has gotten worse when I started going to college. I just graduated and I still have acne and lots of scars. I'm going to stick with it because I've been through hell and back with my acne so one more trip won't kill me!
Pros:
Evens skin tone
Removes closed comedones
Acne heals faster