Tretinoin

I've tried many OTC products to control my acne. Some worked, but eventually the acne came back, at times worse than before. So, finally I decided to see a dermatologist. She prescribed Retin-A-Micro in addition to doxycycline. So far, I'm about a month into using it. I started slow, applying it once every other night, and two weeks later, began applying it every night. I can't say that I that my acne got worse (lucky me, right?) but I could see improvement within the first two weeks. I used to have a somewhat redish face before starting and slowly I could see that the redness is fading. I'm still getting new pimples, but they don't last very long (about 2 days). I haven't experienced any flaking at all since using it. I have oily skin and plus I apply a moisturizer before applying the Retin-A-Micro, so that might have something to do with it. Also, I suggest that sunscreen be used, especially if you combine it with tetracycline. (since both of the meds increase sun sensitivity).

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Rebecca

January 30, 2009

Pros:

Smoother skin. Clearing up. Hoping to see more significant improvements with prolonged use

Cons:

Flakey skin but not too bad.
Healing spots appear to be redder for longer

After years of suffering with spots and volunteering to go on the coil to prevent pregnancy, i finally got prescribed Retin-A. I've been hoping for this for years. I've only been on this cream for just over 2 weeks and on first using it my skin was pretty bad but now it's starting to show some improvement. I always had blackheads on my chin and these have already cleared. I'm still getting the odd new pimple but nothing like what i was experiencing a few weeks ago. I've read alot of reviews of people complaining about how bad their skin went in the first week or so, and mine did look worse for a few days. The cream is quite drying as well and you do peel a bit, but this isn't anything that moisturiser wont help with. I think the Retin-A is starting to pay off now so i'm going to stick with it. I think it's best to give a new product 2-3 months before giving up and even after 2 weeks things seem to be looking up. 2 months and i might just be clear!

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Sarah

January 28, 2009

Pros:

Have not had a new pimple since began use. Working on the scars too!

Cons:

drying at first only

I have always used Proactiv, which has worked OKAY for me for years. My doctor prescribed retin a micro about 3 weeks ago. Since then, I am happy to say, my skin has slowly been improving. My skin became very dry at first, but this went away in less than a week. I have not had a new breakout or pimple since I started using retin a micro, which I apply at night before bed. I also use cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer. I was also prescribed a benzoyl peroxide cream, which i use in the morning. (Bezoyl peroxide and retin a cancel each other, so they cannot be used at the same time.) The benzoyl peroxide cream I am using feels very weird and chalky on my skin and makes my face burn, so I am not sure if I will continue using this product. The retin a is also beginning to help reduce the appearance of my scars, which is great. I have a lot of sun damage and scars from picking at my face, and since using retin a my face has become a lot smoother and more evenly toned.

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Chelsea

January 28, 2009

Pros:

Pimples are smaller and heal faster, but breakouts are still prevalent.

Cons:

Horribly drying. Impossible to keep moisture in your face. The flakiness and peeling make wearing make-up near impossible. Many moisturizers and cleansers make my face burn when using with the product.

I've been using it for 3 months now with mixed results. My skin right now is blotchy, flaky, and very irritated, so I may discontinue it soon.

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jason

January 27, 2009

Pros:

none

Cons:

more pimple breakouts, redness, dryness

this product is probably one of the worse acne products i have used. I will definitely not recommend it. I used stievaymcin for a year and a half and my face was getting a lot better and much smoother. Then my dermatologist prescrbed me retin a micro - it was a huge mistake using it. After 3 and a half weeks of using it, my face has become much worse. DO not use this product, especially if you are a teen!!!!

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Tessa

January 26, 2009

Pros:

cleared my acne within a week

Cons:

face was peeling and dry despite measures of putting moisturizer

it's the best thing I've used since none of the over the counter products worked. I even tried Pro-Activ, but that made my skin worse. Now, I can touch my face and be proud that it's smooth like a baby's butt and blemishes are going away. I have one or two pimples, but it's not noticeable. I'm so glad my friend introduce me to this stuff!

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Whitehead

January 26, 2009

Pros:

My pimples have been able to make friends with new pimples. Unfortuantly, some of the bigger pimples have been bullying the smaller ones.

Cons:

I think my pimples are mating.

Me: Retin - A, meet pimple, pimple, meet Retin - A (goes to sleep) Retin - A: Hi pimp, i feel like making her life hell. Let's MULTIPLY! Pimple : sounds GREAT (Retin- A and Pimple mutiply by the dozens) 2 Weeks later The pimples have begun to team up, they don't like some of the other pimples, resulting in the grouping of the pimple in certain parts of the face... of course there are still those outsiders who wander aimlessly around the face (nobody wants to be friends with those pimples.. they're not ugly enough) Pretty soon, a riot begins, spreading fire all over their land The Pimples soon become over populated and have not where to go.. they being to migrate to the chest, an unknown and far away land. Their journey will be short, but it will be worth it. They know they can do anything with the power of their god, Retin- A To be continued....

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Lori

January 22, 2009

Pros:

Personally, didn't notice any dryness or peeling. The cream also seemed to make my scars fade quicker than usual.

Cons:

Results were short lived.

Started using this cream in october of 2007, twice a day. Almost immediately, I started breaking out worse than ever before (this lasted about 3-4 weeks). After those weeks of the horrible breakouts, I finally started noticing that my breakouts were a lot milder and would go away quicker than before. Eventually, I started using a 10% Benzoyl Peroxide face wash in conjunction with the tretinoin, and by March of 2008, my skin was absolutely clear. That, however, was short lived. By June of 2008, my skin was horrible once again, and this is when I decided to stop using the product. There was only a very short-lived few moments of happiness while on this product.

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KDF79

January 22, 2009

Pros:

When an acne appears, it goes away within a couple of days. The areas of my skin that are acne free are soft, smooth, and flawless.

Cons:

The initial breakout is near unbearable mentally. Red, itchy, flaky skin is very prevalent.

I am going on 3 weeks with tretinoin .005%. Although I'm embarrassed to leave my house because I am completely insecure of my huge breakouts, I'm going to stick with it until it in hopes it gets better. At this point I don't want to go through another initial breakout on a different product. I'm also on tetracycline 500mg 2x a day, and desquam 5% wash 2x a day, and birth control. I will keep you updated on my results. IN addition to the prescription meds, I am doing a colon and liver cleanse. I just pray that I see improvements relatively soon.

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Jo Nov

January 16, 2009

Pros:

I started breaking out BADLY when I went abroad. I came home and was recommended RETIN A. I started using the .5% in August and by the end of September my skin was clear. It even got rid of the scars--you can't even tell I had really bad break outs.

Cons:

I didnt suffer from the peeling right away. My skin began to get really dry in December.

I REALLY like this product. It is one of the few that have worked long term. I have tried erythromycin, benzamycin and OTC brands and I love Retin-A the best. I don't put it all over my face now and just use it for on the spot treatment. It is def. worth a try.

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