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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Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

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December 13, 2009

Pros:

clears skin, fades scars, gives skin a "glow"

Cons:

extremely, extremely difficult to deal with at first, itchy, sometimes burning, excessive peeling and dryness of skin in the beginning. major breakouts that seem to come from nowhere

i've used tretinoin .1% for 7 months now. before i started using it, i would say i had moderate-severe acne, after using it for the first month, my acne became nearly unbearable, i felt it was worse than severe, no makeup could cover it because the bumps were so visible, and i could barely put on makeup because the texture of my skin was so completely irregular and uneven, the patchy spots of dryness just made everything look worse. it took a few months, but tretinoin has become honestly one of the best things that's happened to me....now i'm acne free...dealing with simple small pimples here and there that everyone has. at first, i know the feeling, it seems so hopeless and you feel like you can't deal with it but TRUST ME, this is a PROCESS and the hard work you put into surviving the initial effects will surely justify the means! good luck!!
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December 13, 2009

Pros:

Made me stop breaking out, no dryness

Cons:

Made my previously very dry skin very oily! Also enlarged pores all over my face, a problem I'd never had-makes my skin look bumpy. It gave me noninflammatory bumps on my forehead, where I never had such problems before. It also made my cheeks redder

I started using Retin-A because I was getting pimples that caused scars on my right cheek due to stress. Although it stopped my skin from breaking out (after a very, very mild initial purge that caused some scarring), Retin-A made my skin look much worse. I know that people have had very different reactions to it and I'm probably one of the few who didn't experience any dryness (even though my skin had always been very dry), but I thought I'd share my experience. I wish I had never used Retin-A. My skin would look so much better if I hadn't used it, but there's really no way you can know that before using it. I also never saw any effects (positive or negative) on the wrinkles on my forehead. I recommend praying. That's the only way I can deal with the negative thoughts and feelings I have about my acne.
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December 11, 2009

Pros:

clear skin, smoother acne marks fading

Cons:

redness peeling

This stuff works rather well. I use it with minocycline and for the most part im very pleased!!!
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December 11, 2009

Pros:

- It definitely works great, but you must use it right
- Only needs to be applied once a day
- A single tube goes a long way

Cons:

At first it causes extreme dryness, sometimes burning.

This product helped me and my skin change completely. Before using it, I thought I had light acne and would use OTC washes and creams. When I began to wake up with a new pimple every morning & my skin began to scar, I knew it was time to go to a dermatologist. So I went and it turns out I had moderate-severe acne and the scarring/redness needed antibiotics. So I was put on doxycycline, 5% benzoyl peroxide wash, and tretinoin cream .05%. At first, I broke out more because it brings all your blackheads and pimples to the surface, then I peeled and had very dry skin for a few weeks. Finally, after about 5 weeks, I had no new pimples and the scars were disappearing fast. Just use it right and it WILL work for you. Only apply a small amount at night before bed, AT LEAST 30 minutes after cleansing the affected area. Also remember to moisturize in the morning and during the day, but not right before or after applying tretinoin, that will only interfere with the medicine.
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December 8, 2009

Pros:

i really like this product but my skin is so sensitive and iam scare . after i stop this sh*t. to live houles in my skin texture.

Cons:

iam try my best but its burning peeling. un counfortable. agresive. ans nervous because you dont know if is working or is damaging your face.

i really recomend to use alittle bit. because i try to put alot and it come worst. alittle. so its not that burning. i recomendes depend your skin......
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December 4, 2009

Pros:

Began to clear up my back/chest acne after a month.
Cheaper than other options.

Cons:

Never even touched my facial acne.
Severe headaches.
Problems focusing my eyes.

If you have mild acne it might work for you, but it didn't do much for me. My chest and back acne, as stated under Pros, began to clear up after about a month. If I had been able to stay on it longer, maybe my face would have cleared up. I started to have pretty nasty headaches after about 2 weeks on the drugs, did some reading and found that's a "normal" side effect. But as a migraine sufferer I don't want "extra" headaches. I also wasn't crazy about the idea of using an antibiotic for my acne. I wasn't pleased with it.
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December 4, 2009

Pros:

Decreases acne. Makes skin more taut. Fades hyperpigmentation and sunspots. Reduces lines. (Ran out of room in 'bottom line' -- but I picked up the generic, Reacel-A .05%, in Playa del Carmen on vacay in March for $8!!)

Cons:

IB. Sensitivity.

I was about to list dryness & peeling in the cons, but it's not a con IMO. It means it's working & stimulating growth of new cells. The IB is a bit frustrating & mine was a few big ones, but A LOT of little bumps under the surface that took a while to eventually come out as whiteheads. You need to use this appropriately & routinely to see results -- meaning, you can't just use it here & there to see a substantial difference. Suggestion to limit flakes: After you cleanse @ night, let face dry & apply moisturizer. (I use Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer w/ SPF 15). Let it dry a few minutes, then apply a very small amount of Retin-A to the affected areas. A little goes a long way, trust me! In the morning, you will be dry & flaky. In order to reduce this, you need to gently exfoliate w/ a gentle cleanser (Cetaphil) on a Buff Puff or similar sponge. Afterwards, let your face dry completely & apply the moisturizer. Having one with SPF is very important bc of the 'new' skin & sensitivity.
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December 3, 2009

Pros:

works great for acne and over all skin appearence.

Cons:

first month I had rashes and peeling and, my face looked worse before it got better.

This is a product you need to stick too. At first you will get red and peel like crazy. Your number of pimples will increase and you will be tempted to quick. DON'T BE A QUITTER this product will change your life. After a month you will notice that if you get a pimple it will be smaller and go away quicker. After two months you will notice you hardly ever get pimples and your face will have an overall nice glow to it. After three months your face will look like a porcilin. People complement me on my skin all the time and they just assume it is genetics. Little did they know to obtain my "new skin" I had to go through many ups and downs with a miricle product called: Retin A Note: Use sunscrean, wait 20 minute after you wash your face to apply, dont pop your pimples bc your skin will be thinner, if your face gets irritated skip a day or two and only use a pea sized amount!! Less is more with this product. Stick to it and you will be happy you did!
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49 user(s) found this helpful

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December 3, 2009

Pros:

got rid of a scar by burning the layer of flesh off

Cons:

severe peeling, burning, felt terrible and was afraid to go to school

I used this 3 times when i went to school I was peely and I couldn't use anything to help me and of course pimply too
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December 2, 2009

Pros:

It really works and I have tried quite a few products. ProActive being one of the many and it sucked.

Cons:

My acne def got worse before it got better

Retin-A is wonderful, I am 24/F never had acne in my life until about four months ago. I used ProActive and saw no results what so ever!!!! I began using the Retin-A around three weeks ago and I have seen huge improvement!!!!!!!!!!
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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