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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3.4
1941
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Compare To Other Treatments
5
21.8%
4
32.3%
3
21.6%
2
14.8%
1
9.4%

Used Tretinoin? Rate It:

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April 7, 2008

Pros:

helps clear my skin and makes my skin feel soft.

Cons:

dry skin.

i would recommend this cream as it does help cure acne.However, patience is key.It's irritating for the first 5 weeks but you get used to it.Don't give up!
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April 1, 2008

Pros:

Eventually clears skin completely. No blackheads, whiteheads or ugly red spots. Skin looks like a 10 year old girl's! Can even go out without make-up. If a spot begins to surface it is gone by the next morning when the gel is used overnight...

Cons:

AWFUL for the first 9 weeks of using it! Skin got so much worse before it got better... Felt ashamed of my appearance for the first time in my life. Try this out starting at the beginning of the holidays. Use DDF suncream and mineral foundation.

Ok... I have had problem skin since the age of 12 (I am now 21). I have tried antibiotics (topical and oral), millions of creams and even dianette (v strong contraceptive pill supposed to make acne better). Spots have made my life hell - staying at a friend or a boyfriend's house and secretly doing your make-up in the bathroom so they don't see your spots is no fun at all... Retin-A at first made my acne much, MUCH worse. I even cried it was so bad. My skin peeled and my forehead, then chin, then cheeks started coming out in big ugly spots... BUT, after about 6 weeks I started to see an imporvement. After 9 weeks I could look in the mirror and be happy. At 11 weeks there were no spots left and the scars were fading. My skin was smooth for the first time in 9 years. Advice: PLEASE STICK AT THIS. Don't start in the middle of the college term, like I did. Try it during the holidays. By the time you go back you will look beautiful. Use the gel consistently. Once every eve. Good luc
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March 29, 2008

Pros:

clears skin

Cons:

works very slow

to start, if you dont have patience this product really iusnt for you. the normal ime table for this product is initial breakout in the forst 2 weeks, progress in weeks 3-6, and results after 7. dont go buy that, everyone on here stresses patience it took about 5 months for my skin to get clear. i kept breaking out all along while on this treatment but know after the 5th month im so happy i stuck with it, u will be too
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March 26, 2008

Pros:

I can see it working already

Cons:

Initial breakout is scary as hell, dryness (wearing make up over it especially power make up like mineral make up will show it)

This is my third week using the 0.01% gel and my initial breakout is subsiding. I see some pimples disappearing already. My biggest issue is my forehead which is covered with tiny little whitehead bumps. But I can see already that they are starting to clear. Dear Lord, the initial breakout was scary(first 2 weeks). I couldn't bare to see my face in the mirror but I kept going because everybody on here said that it would do that and my doc also said that. I will post on the progress
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March 22, 2008

Pros:

My forehead, nose, and chin are almost completely clear and i see considerable improvement on my cheeks. New pimples are a lot smaller. Most red marks are fading. Made most of my skin a lot smoother.

Cons:

It didn't completely clear my skin and there are still red marks left. It also made my skin a little dry sometimes. It can be unpredictable. One day my skin would be perfectly smooth and a few days later there were several new bumps.

I've been using this product for about two months. My skin stayed about the same for the first two weeks, but since then it's been getting a lot better. Sometimes I break out unexpectedly but new breakouts tend to be less frequent and less noticable. I still have some red marks from previous breakouts, but most of them seem to be fading. I'm going to keep using it for a few more months I think. Judging from other reviews, this will eventually work. I hope to be able to give another review soon giving this 5 stars. I would suggest to stick it out for at least 3 months or so. It's worked really well for some people I know.
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March 14, 2008

Pros:

It really exfoliates the skin well. It kills pimples quickly.

Cons:

It takes a long time to work. I've been on it for close to 2 months and my forehead still has blackheads and pimples. You have to be patient since you will break out at first. It's bringing up all of your toxins onto the surface.

If you aren't patient, don't take Retin-A. You'll just be complaining and you'll most likely stop using it, therefore, you'll never see the great results. Acne is caused by the foods we eat and our diet. Don't believe otherwise. If you eat crap, expect your skin to look like crap. Try fasting to rid your body of all of your toxic waste. It also helps with clearing up skin. Just don't go back to eating crap or else acne will come back.
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March 6, 2008

Pros:

I've been using stieva a creme forte for a while when i first started i didnt put it all over my face i used to put it only on my acne spot but i realize i needed something for all my face so i decided to put it all over my face

Cons:

the first days my face was terrific...! im black too so its really complicated to have somethin for acne and scars at the same time and now its been 2 weeks ... my face is peeling my face is DRYYYY and itchy... i dunno is its suposed to be that way

my face is getting worse ... im getting depressed about it because i dont see improvement im not gonna stop using it because i've tried a lot of things and nothing worked so i have high hope in this product is there is anyone that have good advise for me let me know and especially people with color id would be helpful because everytime i look in the mirror i feel like crying... i wanna be clear about something : i dont have bad acne , i have black and whiteheads and sometime breakout annnnndddd a lot of hyperpigmentation from acne... HELLLPP
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February 5, 2008

Pros:

Gets rid of acne and leaves you with smooth skin and less scars.

Cons:

Skin was red and dry for the first few weeks before I got used to it.

Retin A micro took a good solid three months to clear up my skin. The breakouts were less and less but it took a few months to really feel comfortable without any make-up on. Bottom line is you should stick with the product and be patient.
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January 30, 2008

Pros:

only needed in the nighttime, great for wrinkles and improves texture, a little goes a long way

Cons:

initial peeling and redness, expensive w/out insurance

i have been using retin-micro 0.1 a a bit more than 2 months. there was some new pimples that formed in the first 4-6 weeks but was not bad at all. all the while the texture of my skin was improving, as it was getting rid of the bumps under my skin. also, there was some redness in my skin tone when i applied it. now my acne is about 95% gone. i am quite pleased, i just have old marks top get rid of. it is important to use a small amount for the entire face and use it every other day in the initial week. also until recently i used retin a w/out a moisturizer bc i thought it may irritate my skin. surprisingly this dried me out less than bp and the only peeling i had was around my mouth area. but now i am using moisturizer at night and in the morning my makeup goes on great. after my skin clears up 100% i hope to use it every other day. this was the only medication that works for my mom also and at 55 she has no wrinkles. :)
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January 22, 2008

Pros:

When you put it on it looks like make up powder and you don't see the redness anymore

Cons:

YOu have initial break out for weeks, mine lasted for 3 months, then on the 4th it got better and now on the middle of my 5th month i relapsed again and now i am getting bad breakouts.

After 5 months of using this stuff i have scars all over my face, i look like the crater face type now and my skin is really red and i am pissed off at my dermatologist not telling me to after the 3rd month. I SERIOUSLY WARN ANYONE TO REALLY THINK WHAT YOU ARE RISKING BY USING THIS. I am going back to benzoyl peroxide 2.5, Maybe going to give proactive a try.
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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