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
1649
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5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

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January 15, 2010

Pros:

-Gets rid of bigger, evil pimples in a week or 2 for me.
-Took my very red irritated pores and zits to a nice pinkish tone

Cons:

-Feel like sh*t after looking in the mirror for 2 weeks
- Dryness and pealing skin,
- Reduces pore size for a bit, but it comes back

I used to have moderate-ish acne on my chin, which i started to get in 5th grade [early] and still have, I have tried benzoyl peroxide and all they did was make it worse and never got better, So far, Retin-A has been one of the only products to slightly reduce my acne. Its a pretty good product, Only big flaws for me were Dryness.
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18 user(s) found this helpful

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January 10, 2010

Pros:

Makes skin more smooth

Cons:

takes a while for results, peeling skin, redness, causes initial breakout

This product really does work! It takes time and the IB really gets aggravating!! but if you stick with it and follow the directions exactly, you will see results. I had almost given up on my Tretinoin in .25% but then after I stopped picking and actually read the specific directions I have noticed a significant difference. My skin is still peeling a little but the texture is so smooth and really healthy looking. Just DO NOT PICK!! you'll get scars.
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23 user(s) found this helpful

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January 3, 2010

Pros:

-Fades Scars
-Gets rid of big pimples in about 1 week

Cons:

-Makes skins worse at first.
- Zits/Pimples get very sensetive and become a bright red
- Takes awhile

Why, no skin thing is over night. The first week was a nightmare. My skin was very red, my pores looked more clogged, and i started getting zits on my forehead which i never got before. But after like 2 and a half weeks my skin got a bit better, Im gonna continue using if for about 2 more months. Note: If your just starting to the product it WILL take time don't give up on it just because you didnt see results in a few days.
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January 2, 2010

Pros:

Pimples and zits are GONE, as are the scars from when I used to peel and pop the zits/pimples to make them go away sooner.

Cons:

Some minor breakouts at first, and a little bit of irritation along the way..but it's okay because it's wroth it in the end.

I owe my life to this product! I barely ever get any zits or pimples anymore. Before, I would have like 6 huge zits on my forehead, cheeks, chin..etcetera...with smaller pimples all over my forehead..but not anymore! Something that worked for me is washing my face in the morning and at night with Estee Lauder Splash Away Foaming Cleanser, which evens skin by making dry skin more hydrated and oily skin less oily (20 dollars but worth every last cent). I put Retin-A after washing my face at night. Somehow, the two work together really well and in the morning after I wash the Retin-A away with the cleanser my skin is extremely smooth. I have been following this procedure for about eight months now...before people would look at my face and have to hide their disgust, but now I get compliments about how beautiful my skin is. Another thing you guys (especially females) might want to research is milk, especially low-fat milk, being a cause of acne. It's still emerging research, but from personal experience...the time 5 months ago that I switched to soy milk the magic of Retin-A and the Estee Lauder cleanser increased exponentially.
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slurpeedude
November 25, 2017
jefferson is right in a sense, I like almost milk unsweetened. You get used to the taste! Especially just used in coffee and tea
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December 30, 2009

Pros:

Smooths wrinkles, clears moderate to severe acne, decreases pour size, one tube lasts a long time

Cons:

sensitivity to skin around the eyes, severe flaking if a strict regimen of lotion is not used, needs to be paired with an anti-biotic to reduce flare up (break out purging)

This will cause you to purge no matter what. However, how bad the purge/break out will be can be drastically reduced with a good anti-biotic (doxycycline or solydyn/minocycline) I had virtually no flaking because I exfoliated with the clarisonic face scrubber (costs $200 but is worth every penny) however, any exfoliate will due. Lotions: This saved my skin Oil of Olay!!! In the morning I put on Olay's standard lotion with 15 spf and at night which will SAVE YOUR SKIN!!! Olay Night recovery cream. MIX IT WITH the pea size of the tretinoin. Works after three months. Helps fade red marks. Got rid of my deep wrinkle on my forehead.
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23 user(s) found this helpful

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December 29, 2009

Pros:

Clears skin, reduces pore size, evens out skin tone, makes skin glow.

Cons:

Initial breakout, peeling in the first weeks, skin sensitivity.

At 19 years old my flawless skin became a nightmare. I had pretty severe cystic acne on my jawline and broke out on blackheads and whiteheads everywhere. I went to my doc and he prescribed me retin-a. I was skeptical because I'd heard terrible things about the IB from retin-a, but I started to use it that night. The first week showed no difference, but weeks 2-7 were pretty bad. Nonetheless, those weeks went by rather quickly and my skin started clearing up. Now at just over 5 months, my skin looks AMAZING! I have no active acne, blackheads or whiteheads and my scars have all faded. My skin has a glow to it, kind of like after you spent the day in the sun, but without the tan, or skin damage. My pores look much smaller. My advice to everyone is to get this product and stick with it for AT LEAST 3 months. Retin-a is the best thing that has ever happened to my skin.
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December 22, 2009

Pros:

It's great for acne scars. I have been using this product for about 6 months and it has worked better than everything else over the counter that I have used. My pores are smaller, my skin is more even. My skin hasn't looked this good in a while. I used the highest strengh .1%. It's better if you gradually increase. Start with .05%.

Cons:

The initial dryness, burning, itching, redness and peeling. Takes awhile to work. The first month my skin looked really bad and the redness was horrible. Couldn't wear makeup looked like a horrible mess. This may sound crazy but my eyelids would start burning for the first week or so. and the product was nowhere near my eyes. But for the burning I used a little neosporin once in a while

This is a really good product especially for acne scars. It definetly increases collagen production. I hanged in through the first month and I'm so glad I did!!! I suggest that if you are going to use it use it away from the creases around nose. After the first 5 months the product seems to work even better. I'd definettly recommen this product and the initial purging is berable if started on a lower %.
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27 user(s) found this helpful

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December 18, 2009

Pros:

skin seems smoother and more firm

Cons:

dry and flaky, a pretty bad initial breakout

Im using this product along with a round of doxycycline to hopefully get rid of everything. Im breaking out for the first time at 19 and it's pretty frustrating. I was unaware that this medication made you break out worse at first WHICH IT DOES! My face is way worse than before, but im hopeful that it will eventually be clear completely. Stick with it, im sure its doing its job
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December 18, 2009

Pros:

It does work

Cons:

burns like crazy after the first couple of days because it burn through the first layer of skin. you peel like no other. mosturiing does not help. it hurts to open my mouth even

it does work. but the first weeks are rough
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10 user(s) found this helpful

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December 14, 2009

Pros:

-Gives your face a nice glow
-Face is smoother
-got rid of big pimples (after a week or so)

Cons:

-acne got worst before it got better (still worth it though!)
-kinda itchy at first
-peeling

This product is the medicine that you NEED to stick to. It might make your acne a little worse at the first week, but after a couple of weeks are so it will improve a whole lot! it is itchy but its something that you can control. and important that you DO NOT pick at ur pimples because your skin is thin because of the medication.. but seriously, this is great!
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10 user(s) found this helpful

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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