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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3.5
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5
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4
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3
21.3%
2
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1
8.6%

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June 17, 2010

Pros:

*Made my cystic acne go away
*Makes pimples that do come up go away in a day or two
*Made my skin very soft and smooth
*Doesn't dry skin

Cons:

*Initial breakout
*So far, hasn't helped with minor indented scars
*So far, hasn't helped with hyperpigmentation left from deep cysts that I had for months
*If you apply too much, it will cause breakouts

This is awesome and cheap. I use Tretinoin .025%. I had EVERY other facial cream/treatment-even spent about $100 on Dan's regimen and none of that worked as well as this! It does work, I have only had one cystic pimple since starting this. It's also helping the deep,deep hard bumps left from the cysts go away. If you use it CORRECTLY and aren't allergic to it, it will do wonders. Just don't put too much on because it irritates the skin and causes flare ups. My derm told me to use this at night and put hydrocortisone cream 2.5% on top. In the day I just wash and use sunscreen and Maybelline Mineral concealer. Also, the Initial Breakout wasn't so bad-I already had pretty bad skin, so what was the difference of having a few more pimples? It didn't bother me, I just looked at the research and saw that it's part of the process.
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June 16, 2010

Pros:

covered under insurance
It works, but slowly

Cons:

Initial Breakout
Dryness and peeling

I have been using Tretinoin .05 (Stieva-a) for just over 3 months now. I've been a bit scared to give a review so as to not jinx anything, but I know how important these reviews are to those, like me, who take a look at these reviews regularly if not daily. I would say my condition was moderate because although I didn't have many pimples, those that I had were big, round, red and very angry. The pimples/cysts were concentrated on my jawline and were the type that could never be popped. It would take a month just to go down, and I still have the marks to prove it. The first few weeks, I would say 3, were hard to get through because of the initial breakout. However, it wasn't as bad as some reviews have mentioned. I remember being terrified after some of these reviews, however many other reviews gave me the strength to carry on with treatment. After 4 weeks my pimples stopped altogether. My skin was no longer hot and itchy, it finally felt normal. I too was terrified to try this. It took me 3 months to use this prescription but I wish I used it sooner. However, I don't use this all over my face, just on the affected areas. On other areas I use 2.5% BP. On those big scary pimples during the breakout period, my derm gave me clindoxyl to use during the day. Right now I'm using 2.5% BP avoiding hyperpigmented area so that I can use hydroquinone 4% on red/brown spots, Dan's AHA lotion with Nutrogena Dry Touch 30 SPF during the day. At night I use the BP on everywhere but the hyperpigmented area in which I use Stieva-a and hydroquinone. My only issue now is hyperpigmentation. My spots are getting lighter but who knows how long it will take to completely disappear. To those in your first few weeks stop reading all these reviews, they make you crazy! Just have some patience and if in a 2-3 months it doesn't work, go back to your derm/doctor. Good Luck to all of you, I know how difficult this time might be. Go out and enjoy life, time will go by f
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June 13, 2010

Pros:

Lighter Skin Tone
Pigmentation Fading
Clearing of white heads and blackheads
Keep Cystic Acne Away
Firmer Skin
Less Oily skin

Cons:

Dryness
Length of time it takes to work
Peeling, not severe though

I had no initial breakout. It brought all my blackheads and whiteheads up and my skin is almost clear except for maybe a few whiteheads and some pigmentation. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. At first I was scared to use it from some of the bad reviews people gave it but it's AMAZING. It takes time to work so stick with it, in the beginning it may not seem like it's working but it is! Just give it time!
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June 12, 2010

Pros:

While using it:
- dried up pimples quite fast
- gave me a funny glow

Cons:

6 Months later:
- gave me an oil slick
- made pores more enlarged
- gave me a shiny layer or skin that made me look very oily even when i just washed my face
- made me break out in cyst
- mutiplied whiteheads by 100
- made me break out in many places i never break out
- made me angry and obssesd to find cure
- never returned my skin back to "normal"
- made my skin so sensitive that when i wake up to brush my teeth, my upper lip would turn red

I've used Tretinoin Cream 0.025% for 6 weeks broke out around the 2nd week Kept on using for 6 weeks When i stopped it made me break out worse than ever. I didnt have bad skin to begin with, i just wanted to clear my whiteheads and i end up with a lifetime regret of using this crap. 6 months later, my skin is still shiny and 10xs more oily, i have severe whiteheads on both my cheeks and cyst on my hair line, temples and cheeks. I hate it, if i could go back in time, trust my i would have never used it, it ruined my life. I hate it.
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June 5, 2010

Pros:

Clears acne fast
No irritation
Helps with red marks
Tightens up skin

Cons:

Kind of itchy if you apply too much

It has cleared out my acne in a matter of days! I had severe acne during 2008 and I went on accutane. It cleared me out completely but acne started coming back because I did not have a daily face wash regimen. I did not have one because I have always had bad reactions to different cleansers, etc. So my only regimen was wash face with water. However, I had constant breakouts. I was put on Epiduo but I experienced a really bad initial breakout. It started clearing out, but at a very very very slow pace. Luckily for me, my insurance would not cover Epiduo, so my doctor put me on Tretinoin 0.05%. I was skeptical at first, b/c no acne medication has worked on me besides Accutane. However, after day 2, i noticed a difference. Acne started to clear and marks started to fade. I feel great on this medication. The peeling is not so serious, just moisturize. As a note: I started using Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser along with Cetaphil Moisturizing lotion, and it feels great!!! At night I cleanse my face with Cetaphil and apply Tretinoin. I do not moisturize at night. Tretinoin is not like other acne treatments that dry out skin severely, or cause irritation. It sits on your skin very comfortably(make sure to apply only a thin layer of cream). Moisturize in the morning only. :D I recommend this to anyone who has only tried Benzoyle Peroxide or any other treatment, but has had no success. Tretinoin works in a very unique, but effective way.
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May 25, 2010

Pros:

Cleared me up completely after 8 weeks.
Evened out skin tone

Cons:

Red/irritated face
My first 6 indented scars
Hyperpigmentation

I wish i never started using it. 5 years ago, i had my worst ever break out ,went to the derm for the first time, gave me retin a and then boom my scars started appearing (indented scars).But it did clear me up, I totally wouldnt recommend this unless you want clear skin with indentations.
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May 21, 2010

Pros:

-Clears Acne
-Lightens & fades blemishes

Cons:

-Very drying
-Peeling
-Irritation
-Sensitivity to the sun

At age 8 I began going through puberty and began developing blackheads,whiteheads and cystic acne.Of course,being so young,my mom though nothing of it.In 5th grade,my mom finally took me to the dermatologist because she knows there's history of bad acne in our family,she had bad acne,my sisters did and my grandpa did.They prescribed me this.It did take a while to help,and my skin eventually began clearing up very good.Then the first day of 6th grade hit,I broke out horribly and my acne went out of control and this actually began to burn my skin and made my blemishes worse,although I was very young so I don't count that as a negative.I do recommend it.Now I'm currently on Accutane,but in the future when I'm older,I'll go to this for wrinkles cause I've heard it works.
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May 15, 2010

Pros:

clears acne
fades the acne scars
evens the skin texture

Cons:

initial breakouts
initial peeling and dryness

i never experienced acne as a teenager but 3 months ago i started getting frequent breakouts at the age of 23 years.i did not try to use any over the counter products and went straight away to my dermatologist who prescribed me retin a 0.025%.the first week was a complete disaster as i used too much of the cream and it caused excessive peeling.i went back to my dermatologist who then told me to use only a pea sized amount and wait for at least half an hour after washing my face and then apply the cream....the initial 3 weeks i experienced frequent breakouts for which i even used topical clarithromycin but i did not stop using retin a.i have completed 6 weeks of application and it really works.acne is gone and scar marks are fading.i would suggest every patient who has acne to consult a dermat and see if retin a is the drug of choice for them.it needs patience and time to work but it really is effective.
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May 9, 2010

Pros:

Reduces moderate acne over time
Hyperpigmentation fades

Cons:

May take a long time for results to appear
Peeling/Itchiness over the first few weeks
Makes skin dry

I used Retin-A for 10 months now and before I got acne frequently. I also had a lot of hyperpigmentation caused by the acne. I use the product every night (my dermatologist told me to), after cleansing with a mild cleanser, right before I go to sleep. During the first few months I noticed my skin was peeling and dry all the time. By the 9th month, I noticed my skin was generally clearer and a lot of my hyperpigmentation was fading. So I guess the bottom line is that you have to be really patient when using this product to truly see the benefits.
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May 5, 2010

Pros:

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS, my GREAT SECRET!!!
My skin is better at 45 then it has been in my whole life!!! I wish I knew about this years ago, my skin is positively glowing I am so proud of it, my Mom said (when I put on a touch of foundation) that it looks airbrushed!!!
and I had horrible acne and lots of scarring!!!

Cons:

my whole face was peeling, it looked scaley and flakey beyond what I can describe.
BUT that all cleared up when I used Neo Strada over-the-counter'exfoliating peel' and 'microderm abrasion' to help with that (otherwise I would have NEVER been able to live through that stage).
note I have used these 2 products for yrs and love them both, and they made my skin smoother, but I was getting leathery skin and lrg pores as I got over 40!

I started with .025% for one tube then 3 months later went to .05% (good to do!) BUT the flakey, scaley skin would not go away until I used both these OTC NeoStrada products. Now my skin is glowing and I am proud of it. Note: I did have a huge set-back when I touched my chin for long period of time while doing a project and broke out, then stupidly put oxy10 on it, then it flaked so I (very stupidly) put moisturizer so broke out more!!! this makes your skin so thin that any upset like this really has to be handled carefully! LOVE LOVE LOVE this though - It literally has changed my life!!!
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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