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 usually applied once a day around bedtime.

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5
22.1%
4
32%
3
21.6%
2
14.9%
1
9.4%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

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January 16, 2007

Pros:

Controls my acne incredibly well (havent broken out for two years) and slows down the aging of the skin

Cons:

Broke out for 5 months straight before it started working. But if you keep with it, it WILL work. I still peel more then anybody I know, but a good moisturizer helps this

This is not just an acne medication. It slows down aging, and reverses photoaging. I figure if I don't stop using retina micro, in 50 years I will like 20 years younger then everybody else because I will have been using retin-a for 50 years. So stick with it for 6 months, and when all your friends start getting wrinkles, you will thank me.
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December 28, 2006

Pros:

Decrease in pimples, less oily

Cons:

Drys out skins horribly and makes it flake off. Works slowly and is pretty expernsive if you dont have insurance.

I've been using this for about 4 months with Doxycycline. The first 2 months were awful on this mediation. It made me breakout worse than ever before and my skin was flakey and gross. After the first 2 months, I started seeing results with a lot less pimples. I hardly have ay pimles any more but my skin is really blotchy still. It also makes my face burn when I excersize. My advice if you are just starting this medication is to start with a dose every other day and work your way up to using it every day. Be patient too, beause your skin WILL gte a lot worse before it gets better.
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December 5, 2006

Pros:

cleared acne for one month after 3 months into treament

Cons:

after my skin cleared up, my skin broke out again. Tretinoin discolored my skin, created non-acne bumps on my skin, and made it really really red. My skin stings all the time.

Not a good treatment for severe acne.
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June 19, 2016
Worked beautifully
I was on Retin-A with duac, bactrim/doxycycline. It worked wonderfully and gave me clearer skin than I've had since before I began puberty. It burned at first but other than that, I experienced no ill side-effects. I used it every night while I used duac in the morning. At first, I didn't apply it every night because my skin was so dry that it was too painful to apply, but once my skin got used to the chemicals in the Retin-A and Duac, I applied it every night and had amazing improvement.
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May 6, 2016
it works
Works for a while, then I got acne back on my chin and back. Not worth it.
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vajane
May 10, 2016
how long did it take to see improvement?
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March 29, 2016
Product used: Stieva-A (Tretinoin (0.025%) Cream)
Retin a helped my acne
I was prescribed Actavis Tretinoin cream 0.025% and it has worked miracles. Nothing stopped my acne breakouts on my cheeks. They were horrible and red and we're leaving ugly scars. I couldn't take it any more. You need to stick to using it every night, nonstop. Within the first 2 month I saw great improvements. I struggled with acne since I was 17. I hate it. But this has made my skin so much better. I started using it age 24 and now 26 still use it due to it having rerun a. Helps with preventing wrinkles. I also started taking Tri Sprintec birth control. I recommend it. Stick with it for 6 months don't give up.
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February 29, 2016
Product used: Atralin (Tretinoin (.05%) Gel)
Good product for moderate acne
I like this product. I had been using Retin-A Micro which was working fine but it left some dry patches on my skin. When I told my dermatologist she prescribed me Atralin in place of the Retin-A Micro. I think they work about the same but the Atralin doesn't leave dry patches on my skin - unless I get it near my bottom lip, but even then it's no big deal. Of course, my skin is still a bit flaky the next morning but that is just what tretinoin does. I like the consistency of this product - it is very easy to apply, and once it dries, it is very easy to apply lotion on top of it. It also helps blemishes go away more quickly. The reason I only give it 4 stars is because it does not keep me completely clear. I still get a few breakouts on my chin, cheeks, and forehead. So, this product certainly hasn't been a miracle for me, but It has worked better than the MANY others I've tried so I'm going to keep using it. A few notes: It does make your face look shiny after applied, but that should not be a huge problem because your dermatologist will most likely have you use it at night only. Secondly, this product contains fish protein ("fish collagen hydrolyzates") so if you're allergic to fish this might not be a good product for you.
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May 20, 2015
It was okay...
I am 15 and have quite a bit of acne on my face, so after a year or so of doing Proactiv (which amazing affects wore of after a few months), I decided to ask my doctor for solutions and she gave me Retin-A (0.05%) and Minocycline. I found that the Retin-A wasn't really working at first and having naturally oily skin, didn't have the dry skin I heard talk about, so my doctor bumped up my percentage to 0.1%, which almost immediately gave me dry, flaky skin, which I know is supposed be a part of the process, but I didn't find any changes in my acne, the old was still there, the new still coming in, so I went back to my and got something called Differin XP, which is another topical cream (0.3%) which gave me the same side effects and results as Retin-A, so I have recently stop using it and switched back to Proactiv which seems to be working again for me. I feel this product can work if you can live with the side effect of constant dryness and peeling, since I would normally stop applying it for a week because my face would become so dry, sensitive and red, even with constant mosturizing. Also at the beginning my acne will flared up, but a few weeks later it started to go down a bit.
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May 19, 2015
Product used: Stieva-A (Tretinoin (0.025%) Cream)
ok
I didn't see any improvment using only this product. I stopped using it when I started to use 2.5 benzoyl peroxyde. After a couple of months, i started to use both products, and it showed great results.
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May 18, 2015
Just started. Need Advice!
I just started a new skin regimen after my visit to my dermatologist this past friday. She prescribed me 1% Retin A for the night, along with clindmycin gel. I also just started to take doxycyclin pills as well. However she has me wash my face with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide wash every morning. Has anyone else had this routine and seen results? Or any advice for the retin A and the dryness?
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nukefusion
May 27, 2015
That is a lot of stuff you are having your skin deal with. I would ask your derm if having that much irritation is actually going to help or just make it worse. Sometimes to much is not the best thing. That is literally 3 things sucking moisture out of your face.
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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