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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.
Used Tretinoin? Rate It:
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September 2, 2008
Cons:
Peeling if used twice a day
I have used Retin-A Gel 0.025% for about 2 months now and my acne has definetely improved. I didnt experience any initial breakout but i did peel but a little but moisturiser sorted that right out. I find if i have a heavy one on the booze or eat greasy foods e.g pizza, burgers etc a week later my skin becomes alot more oliy and i will breakout but pimples are usualy dried out after day and just peel off. I still have scars from previous spots but they seem to be fading well. Works for me, why not give it a go.
August 19, 2008
Pros:
Still waiting
Cons:
Waiting period is insane. Gets worse before getting better
So i've been using this stuff for about 2 months now. Still not seeing any results... very frustrating. Reading some of these reviews have given me hope, i will stick it out. 1 month left before college starts, 1 more month of hoping.
August 10, 2008
Pros:
Stops skin from being oily.
Causes skin to shed.
Keeps pores open.
Cons:
Now that your skin is not oily, it is simlpy too dry.
You end up with red skin if you use more than a very small amount(spread out) and if you use it daily (I do it every second day).
Pores are open, but the sebum build up is still there.
I do suggest it, but this is not the best treatment. I would suggest trying to find a laser/other treatment place prior to trying this, however that is likely expensive. This will not cure acne on its own, so you do need to ask your doctor/derm about other things. A big issue I have is with blackheads and they still form. The build up literally gets pushed out of the poor now and the blackhead just reforms. The only positive note is I rarely get infected compared to before (oral anti-bodies do a better job, though, for awhile).
August 9, 2008
Pros:
It made the healthy sections of my skin smooth and eliminated fine lines
Cons:
Persistent acne developed in new areas that had never been infected, creating a very unpleasant complexion.
My dermatologist prescribed Retin-A Micro 4 months ago for minor acne on my forehead. I used the Retin-A as prescribed. My skin peeled and turned red during the first 2 weeks. I was delighted with the new, soft skin. I started to develop large cysts on both temples and the area between my eyes around the 3rd week. I was told this was normal, not to pick, and to continue the treatment. I continued the treatment for 2 weeks. By the end of the 5th week of treatment my entire face was broken out. Not with small pimples, but large cysts. My doctor prescribed Oracea and advised me to continue use. I'm 4 weeks into Oracea and I'm still broken out. The cysts take roughly 2 weeks to heal. I threw in the towel after 3 months of use. My complexion is terrible bc of Retin-A, but improving now that I'm no longer using it.
August 4, 2008
Pros:
face has improved significantly
Cons:
must use in conjuction with lotion and sunscreen to keep skin from flaking and turning bright red
i've used this product for about 10 days now. i am 27 and over the last year i have struggled with bothersome breakouts, uneven skin tone and dry skin on my face. i was originally put on doxycycline and clyndamicin and my face got significantly worse. now i am on benzoyl peroxide wash and retin a. you have to be patient with this medication. read other people's reviews; that is what i did and i've found that waiting after you wash your face to apply the retin a is better. also, mix a pea sized amount into your facial lotion and then apply. this helps to keep the flaking down. plus, i use a mild cleanser like cetaphil and alternate every other day until my skin gets accustomed to this medicine. i am really impressed with the results already. good luck.
August 3, 2008
Pros:
This is working well for both my back and face, but not on its own (I use Finacea with it to help inflamed acne).
Cons:
Takes a long time to get skin used to it; first time I used Retin-A 0.04 percent was a disaster (DO NOT use more than a pea size for face, and don't spot treat)
Once I started being very careful about applying only a pea size amount and wearing sunscreen daily, this helped my acne when I used it with Finacea. I am now using the highest strength and am getting even better results, but I use even a little less than a pea size amount. I did get a small initial breakout when I switched strengths but the Finacea helps reduce the IB. Also, the higher strength seems to be helping red marks more. However, I really recommend starting with a lower strength and working up only if you aren't red and flaky (it hasn't caused redness or flakiness with me since I started the Finacea and used a smaller amount of Retin-A). Also, if you are breaking out a lot more from Retin-A, please call or see your doctor about it. He/she can tell if it's normal; if it's not, you might need something else with the Retin-A, like I did, or it might not be right for you. Better to check early on.
July 27, 2008
Pros:
Honestly, I can't think of any. If I had enemies, it would be a great product to literally deface them.
Cons:
Retin-A has:
Made my light whitehead/blackhead problems much worse and glaringly noticeable; dried out my skin and produced cystic pimples where I previously had none; caused really awful dark, scab like spots on my forehead; made my face fall of
I have used this product for 2 months, and while that may not be the ridiculous 3 months for the *beginning* of results that is cited in the product description, I feel fully entitled to be disappointed and discontinue use. Effectively, I look like a leper without foundation, which I have to apply throughout the day to maintain professional appearance. The product burns and itches so much that I can't resist scratching at it, and of course this is detrimental to my skin's already shabby condition. I'm in my mid-20s, and this product makes me look 15; I'm not talking in a Ponce de Leon's fountain of youth way, but more like a revisitation of pubescent pimple purgatory.
July 11, 2008
Pros:
Dramatic improvement with continued and consistent use; soft skin; reduces shallow scars and wrinkles
Cons:
Flaking, redness, irritation if used improperly
This product TAKES TIME to work. Your acne will clear, but you will not notice any major improvement for at least 6 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions! Apply the solution sparingly. Apply for a short time every other night to start, then increase duration and frequency of application--this will help you avoid redness and irritation. I have increased the strength of the preparation I am using and I find it very easy to tolerate now that my skin has grown accustomed to the regular strength. I have tried both the gel and cream preparations. I prefer the cream because it is less messy and it stays on my skin longer. The gel can be more cooling and drying for people with very oily skin. Bottom line: be patient! Your acne is being resolved from beneath your skin.
June 25, 2008
Pros:
smoother surface
fewer bumps and pimples
Cons:
PEELING skin
redness and irritation
raw-looking skin
I've been using this product for 4 months now, and overall, I'd say it has really helped improve my skin. I BROKE OUT in a LOT of papules and pustules (recently and out of nowhere)on my cheeks, an area on my face I had only ever had an occasional pimple or two. It took A LOT of patience for me to use this product, but in the end I think it has really helped. What I would tell other people is to also use LOCOID LIPOCREAM, which is something my derm just perscribed to me. Retin-A worked and took away a lot of the bumps and pimples, BUT it left my skin so red and irritated that I looked sunburned. The locoid lipocream REALLY helped reduce the irritation, and my mother (who is quite critical) even noticed the difference :). Please, save yourself the trouble I went through and get this cream (disclaimer: without my insurance it would have been 130$ so it's quite expensive)
June 16, 2008
Pros:
It dries out the pimples so they seem to go away faster
Cons:
It does in deed make the acne worse. I've been using this for 2 months now, this is the 3rd month, and I have yet to see improvement.
Although it makes the acne worse, I think what its doing is peeling away the skin so that the hidden acne underneath will be treated. I'm sticking to this product basically because I know someone who has used it for a few years and she has gone from having acne to having beautiful, perfect and clear skin. It does cost quite a lot of money and it does make your skin peel and become dry. Although, I think the peeling and dryness can be dealt with with a decent oil free moisturiser and cleanser for oily skin like those made by Cetaphil.
Pros:
Clears acne, healing old scars nicely