Tretinoin
Results
Side Effects

Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover.

...

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.

 [more]
3.5
1649
Read All About Tretinoin
Compare To Other Treatments
5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
August 27, 2009

Pros:

Nice soft skin, good complexion, even skin tone.

Cons:

It takes a while too work. Inflammation. Dry Skin. Initial Breakout.

I'm currently on week 6. And the initial breakout is still there. Although it is taking a long time, i feel that this might actually work. I have my days where sometimes my skin looks great & it looks like its working but there are other days where my skin looks terrible and it makes you want to get off it. But patience is the key. I really hope it works for me as it did for most of you guys. =)
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 26, 2009

Pros:

great for scarring and hyperpigmentation and acne

Cons:

skins gets resistant eventually, IB sucks but doesnt last too long ( about 10 days for me)

Not sure how people are using this but when i got it my derm advised to me wash my face at night, apply the retinol for one hour and then wash it off, i did this for a week, the next week i left it on for 2 hours then washed it off after that i started applying it nightly and it was fine i did have an initial break out but absolutely no redness, drying, peeling anything,....so if you are worried about that i suggest you let your skin get used to the product a little bit instead of leaving it overnight right away.
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 26, 2009

Pros:

helps with small white bumps.

Cons:

EVERYTHING. i started out with a few small pimples and after 3 weeks of using retina, i ended up with a forehead full of big red bumps and the rest of my face was PAINFULLY dry, chapped, red, and flaky. had to see a new derm right away.

it may work for some, but it was a complete disaster for me. i was left with my face in worst condition than how i had started out. use retina with extreme caution!
This Was Helpful

Report
August 26, 2009

Pros:

no more breaking out

Cons:

It's taking a while to work, oily on t-zone

I have mild, but persistent acne. I am almost 20 years old, and it has just started, so I want it to go away. I picked up this product and it is preventing new pimples from forming, although some under thte surface little bumps turned into pimples. I am on week 5 and I am def. going to continue using it and hope that it makes it all go away. But I did notice a pimple on my chest today, so I don't know if I should be worried? I never have had body acne, so I hope I don't start getting it because of this product..... O, and no redness or anything. and i'm using 0.05% plus s. acid. so I guess i'm lucky?
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 25, 2009

Pros:

Some improvement to skin noted. As far as I understand, this product works by speeding up the rate at which your skin sheds... hence the flakiness. My skin was noticeably softer and smoother. Worked reasonably well for cheeks and forehead.

Cons:

Skin was dry and flaky, did not prevent oiliness or those annoying hormonal flare ups along the jaw line. Definitely not the 'miracle cure' we've all been waiting for.

Very expensive, takes a long time to see results, can cause skin irritation. Works well for minor lumps and bumps but not so much for the deeper stuff. Does not change oil levels. Causes drying. I think that the amount of moisturiser you need to use to balance out the flakiness negates the whole point of using the medication.
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 25, 2009

Pros:

reduced my acne by 50%

Cons:

makes your skin oily itchy and irritated

I used this for 14 months in combination with a prascion sulfur wash and it reduced my acne by about 50% so it did something, but it didn't solve my problem. It made my face much oilier, red and irritated. I'm also not a big fan of the fact that it increases skin cancer risk if you happen to accidentally get some sun exposure. I wouldn't recommend it.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 22, 2009

Pros:

works really well! takes time for it to work, and at first your acne may get a little worse but after you are done with the tube, i have the 45gram size which lasts about 6 months, most likely your acne will be gone.

Cons:

Acne gets worse at first for some, like it did for me, and takes a while to start working, for me it was about a month.

it works very well after time
This Was Helpful

12 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 21, 2009

Pros:

clearing up my acne
scars are going away nicely
makes skin feel smoth

Cons:

makes skin super oily

ive had this product for about eight weeks and i am finally seeing improvement. from about the 3-6 week period it made my face a whole lot worse. I was considering going off retin-a because it was getting really bad. But, I decided to wait and I am glad I was patient. The thing i don't like about this it makes my skin super oily. i already had oily skin, but nothing compared to what it is now. but im going to get that checked out. i didn't experience any redness or flaking like the other people reviewing this said, so I guess its different for everybody
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 21, 2009

Pros:

it works, unlike a million other products

Cons:

none

After day 2, my skin has cleared and it feels great! i dont know why for some people it took 6 weeks! i'm very happy wuth this purchase and i highlyy reccomend it to anyone with scars or spots.
This Was Helpful

Report
August 19, 2009

Pros:

soft skin, evened skin tone, basically no pimples

Cons:

dry, sensitive skin, oily as well

i'm on my 8th week right now and my skin has improved immensely. my skin has been pretty up and down at this point. sometimes i can wear make-up, sometimes i can't, BUT i have super soft skin and no pimples. i do, unfortunately have an extremely irritated spot on the corner of my mouth. its over-dried i think. my skin is still pretty dry and flaky overall, and still pretty oily as well, but my skin looks so much better. it's lightened a LOT of scars and my blackheads on my nose and cheeks are beginning to go away. i'm still waiting for my 12 month mark, so hopefully it gets better from here! i'm really glad i stuck to it :)
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 69 70 71 72 73 … 134
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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