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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May 2, 2009

Pros:

makes your skin glow, keeps it young, works slowly on acne, just keep it up

Cons:

broke out for a while, by awhile, I mean like 3 months.

So I seriously went on this thing SO MUCH just to find out more info on retin-A-micro. it was soooo frustrating going day after day with nothing working, so i started using benzaclin which doesnt prevent pimples but dries them out instantly, and then finally in april i started a new pill with lower estrogen and im FINALLY clear. I cant tell you exactly what is doing the job, but i bet it's all three of the meds. I know the retin-A is keeping my skin looking young,at the very least. Good good luck :) (oh and it didnt make my skin peel and get red like a lot of people, i used vitamin E lotion which is really cheap and you can find it at drug stores, keeps your face from getting so dry)
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May 1, 2009

Pros:

works (eventually), smoother skin

Cons:

redness initially, peeling, dryness, minor initial breakout.

worth it. I've been on it for 3 1/2 months and i have two pimples left. only nose blackheads, and overall very smooth skin. People compliment me now, and I feel great! Try it, what do you have to lose? Be patient though, I wasn't even remotely happy until 3 months, although my skin began clearing at 1 1/2 months. Redmarks are slowly fading.
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April 30, 2009

Pros:

works really well at clearing up spots and scars. def worth trying.

Cons:

can make your skin dry, peel, red and sensitive to sunshine

i have been using this cream for over a month. i only use it every 4 nights as im slowly building my skin up as my skin is very sensitive. it has worked soooo well. my skin has cleared up loads and even more amazing it has cleared up the red scarring! im still getting a few spots but i think that is because im only using it every 4 nights so once i use it more it should be fine. To deal with redness and drying and peeling i use manuka honey. That works so well just put it on every night, leave 20 mins then wash off. makes my skin smooth and calms it. i also use jojoba oil which is great at moisturisng it. i use a suncream every day called cityblock spf 40 by clinique. my only worry is how long i can use it for especially as im going travelling to Asia, New zealand and Australia in a few months so the sun may bother my skin but hopefully it will be fine! this cream is def worth trying! i think you need to start off slowly like i have so that way you can cope with the reactions
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April 30, 2009

Pros:

well i havnt seen any difference yet. but i only started like 4 days ago.

Cons:

Dry.

hope it gonna work!
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April 29, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

Drys skin, redness, works for a few months then stops doing anything, expensive

Do not get this, it won't help.
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April 27, 2009

Pros:

Helps clear up moderate acne

Cons:

Makes me oilier than I have ever been in my life!!!
Still get a few, minor breakouts - initial breakout AWFUL
Haven't really noticed a change in skin texture

Eh....it's just ok in my book. I've been using this fro 4 months now. The initial breakout was awful (~3 months of use for me), but I was expecting it and stuck with it. I started noticing less pimples around the time of my cycle when I get the most cystic acne which was a huge plus. However, I don't see a change in getting rid of the brown and red spots that I have now due to that really nasty breakout. The other odd thing is.....everyone claims that this makes them so dry. Not me. I have never been oilier in my life. I am oil slick. I wear all matte make-up with a primer and I still am oily within minutes! I have tried to go down to using Retin-A every other night, but still the oiliness is just awful. I am struggling with continuing this product or not.
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April 26, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

Itching, redness, peeling for a week, causes more break up. Itching leads to scratching when i sleep. I've crusts all over my face now.

I'm using the 0.05% This is my second week and my acne worsened at least 10 times, spreading to other areas. My face is like a red mess now. I can't even look at the mirror. :(
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April 26, 2009

Pros:

NONE!!!!!

Cons:

Made my face break out so bad, i never had acne before in my life and for the past 8 months i had the worst acne/cysts i have ever had! not to metion it left the worst red scars every, has made my life a living hell

DO NOT USE THIS !!!!!
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April 26, 2009

Pros:

Seems to be working

Cons:

Red, dry, peeling

I'm giving this a 4 rating even though I'm not sure yet... because, the real reason I'm putting this post is to tell people: STOP POSTING AND PUTTING RATINGS FOR THIS PRODUCT UNLESS YOU'VE USED IT FOR A LONG ENOUGH TIME. SOME PEOPLE HAVE PUT POSTS AFTER ONLY A FEW DAYS OF USE. THAT IS RIDICULOUSLY STUPID AS WELL AS CONFUSING TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KNOW HOW THE PRODUCT ACTUALLY WORKS!!!
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April 24, 2009

Pros:

felt like it may have gotten rid of some pimples

Cons:

made face very red and waaaayyy too sensitive to the sun. being in the sun for a while gave me a sunburn and i had sunblock on too!

I feel like my pimples got worse when I was taking tretinoin. I did not like this at all. The smell is unpleasant and it doesnt have a positive effect on the skin. It gave me a whole bunch of bumps all over my face, made me break out way worse than before. If you are going to take this make sure it is what you really want to do and dont let your doctor pressure you into doing it. I'm glad I stopped using it and i feel that my skin is in much better condition now then when it was when I was taking tretinoin. I used to tretinoin gel .01 for about 8 weeks. It didnt get better just made my skin condition worse. It did not work for me and it wasnt worth it to put myself through it.
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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