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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February 10, 2009

Pros:

long term is wonderful

Cons:

the first 5 weeks are miserable. However, it does take this long to get the ick down deep in your skin to come out. Hang in there.

If you can make it through the first 5 weeks, you will be pleased with the results. I have always had acne. Just when it cleared up, another batch popped out. I am mother of 3. I don't need acne! Tretinoin has been a great thing for me. There is a generic so it may be the cheapest in your script plan.
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February 10, 2009

Pros:

Eventually cleared out my cysts. Every person heals differently but with patience, will probably heal if taken for over 3 months.

Cons:

At first, it seemed like breakouts were getting worse and would not heal, a little flaky and itchy on the first week.

The real deal is that it really works with patience. First, of all, I was on a steroid cycle and I broke out pretty bad with cystic and boil-like acne. It was all over my face, chest, and back. I saw a dermatologist and she prescribed me right away some doxycycline for 90 days along with some 10% benzoyl peroxide gel, and .1% tretinoin cream. With all these combined, it eventually worked. I used the 10% benzoyl peroxide gel in the morning with some sunscreen/moisturizer, and I applied the .1% of tretinoin cream at night. At first, it seemed like the acne wouldn't go away. I even broke out just a little bit more. However, after the 3rd week, my zits started to heal one by one. I still broke out for another 3 weeks but not as badly and they would heal right away (like within 2 days). After 8 weeks, I stopped breaking out completely and my scars started to heal after the 3rd month.
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February 8, 2009

Pros:

It eventually begins clearing up the acne VERY WELL, leaves skin smoother than ever, and reduces scars/blemishes.

Cons:

Extremely drying, causes peeling, skin is sensitive and lightened in some areas.

Some of the effects may be from the usage of this product with clindamycin (they were prescribed together) but over all it is now working very well. During the first 2 months, my face was just peeling all over and I had take lotion with me everywhere. This is also when the breakouts got worse. In the 3rd month, my face freaked out and would clear up really well in one area and simultaneously get really bad in another, this continued for one month (different parts of my face took turns breaking out and getting better). It is now the 4th month and my face is calm. The breakouts and blemishes are almost non-existent. Any new pimples go away pretty fast. My face is still dry and sensitive but Cetaphil lotion at night and in the morning helps that.
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February 8, 2009

Pros:

makes skin smoother

Cons:

redder, MORE breakouts everyday, does nothing to help prevent acne

I used stievamycin for a year and a half and my skin was getting a lot better. However, my dermatologist prescribed me a new product - retin a micro, and after using it for 5 weeks, inoticed that my skin has been getting WORSE. Never touching this product again, back to using stievamycin. Bottom line is STICK with your acne product and DO NOT use retin a micro. I learned it the hard way...
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February 6, 2009

Pros:

controlled acne a bit

Cons:

initial breakout, hardly saw any results. tube annoyed me.

i guess it works for some people, or maybe i didn't use it long enough. but i saw no results, and was young, so i quit.
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February 5, 2009

Pros:

Works on blemishes. Redueces white head and decreases breakouts.

Cons:

Itchy, red, flaky skin in the first 2 weeks.

I used Reitin- A 0.025 and Doxycycline twice a day for the first two weeks after a horrible breakout. It did work for me. The first two weeks my skin became very dry. So I started using it every other day. Now I am using it everyday and wear moisturiser on top of it. I am pleased with the results. In the past I have used several OTC such as Murad and Pro-active but Retin-A is the only one cream that has helped prevent my breakouts. I have been on it for about more than 8 weeks. I dont even break out during my time of the month anymore.
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February 5, 2009

Pros:

cleared my skin, made my skin smoother, stopped some of my oil production

Cons:

redness, drying, peeling first few weeks of treatment

this product really works if you can take the first few weeks. i used retin a 10 years ago and loved it and just went back on it. i told my dermatologist i have a love/hate relationship with retin a because of how badly my skin hurt the first few weeks. however, i smartened up my second time around and it hasn't been nearly as bad as my first treatment. just a few tips that have really helped me.1) cetaphil face lotion is a DREAM 2) only use this product every OTHER night for atleast the first 2 weeks of treatment then use daily 3) use a humidifier in your bedroom every night for extra moisture to the skin 4) if you can afford it try DERMALOGICA mutivitamin power recovery masque and DERMALOGICA daily microfoliant. most exfoliants are harsh and cannot be used with retin a but the daily microfoliant is a powder and very gentle on the skin and also exfoliates very very well. 5)use clinique redness relief mineral powder to cover redness. hope this helps some of you out and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!
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February 4, 2009

Pros:

Can't think of any

Cons:

It dried my face out and made my acne worse. I used it for 10 of the 12 weeks and took photos of my face to see the "progress." At the end of 10 weeks my acne had spread from my cheeks down my jaw and to my chin.

When I started using Tretinoin the physicians assistant who prescribed it said my face might get worse before it got better. It got worse and worse. I've since been told that it is a myth that any treatment should make you worse before you get better. That's just a line. At one point my face was so dry and flaky that I had a mask of little dry flakes on my face. I carried lotion with me everywhere. One day in an elevator I noticed a little girl staring at me and wondered why. It turned out that my face was covered in dry flakes (a la Austin Powers Goldmember) and I realized I'd forgotten my lotion. It was so embarrassing. I've been on a combo of doxycycline, sulfectamide face wash and clindamycin lotion for two and a half weeks now and my face seems to calming down nicely. At least it's not dried out or getting worse.
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February 4, 2009

Pros:

It works!

Cons:

flaking, redness..other wise its ok..

Ive been battling ACNE for 5 years , tried almost every products available in the market..PROACTIVE,MURAD, etc.... although i almost lost hope, i tried retacnyl .05% a branded tretinoin although my acne stops from coming out the redness , irritation are worst so i stopped it.. Im so desperate when i decided to see other dermatologist then seh gave me .025% tretinoin..i started using it everynight to my surprise no acne came out.. i used it in connjucntion with my new fave cleanser GATSBY Clay scrub..its perfect..
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February 3, 2009

Pros:

None.

Cons:

Redness, dryness, irritation.

Retin-A Micro 0.1% completely destroyed my face. I started the treatment with mild acne and 2 1/2 months later I had severe acne. First two weeks were fine, aside from a little redness, irritation and dryness. By the end of week three my face exploded with whiteheads. At first I thought it was normal.. that I was experiencing the dreaded IB. I was determined to suck it up and ride through it. But my face got progressively worse until I finally had to stop, just after the 2 month mark. Right now, its been a little over a month since I stopped using the Retin-a. My face has recovered a little, but it is still much worse than before I used Retin-a.
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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