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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December 24, 2008

Pros:

Works, Fades everything, tones, can eat what i want now, ONE step, clear skin

Cons:

had a bad breakout initially(one week in) but soooo worth it.

was skeptical but sh*t works. I had bad breakout from it but then it works reallll well and quickly after breakout. Can eat what I want now and stick with it. Start off with every other day or w.e and then after a couple weeks use every night and u will be so amazed how well it works
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December 22, 2008

Pros:

clear skin

Cons:

massive breakout, peeling, redness

I began .1% retin-a about 3 weeks ago, after 2 days, my face exploded, absolutly horrible for at least 2-3 weeks. Bad enough i didn't want to leave my house. Now hitting the third week, it has taken a complete turn, i feel great about my skin now. I know it's just going to get better from this point. Don't get me wrong, it does cause major redness that still has not faded and also peeling, check out the retin-a website about moisterizer and facewash to use and you'll lbe set. it will be bad but its completely worth it!
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December 22, 2008

Pros:

if you have a large cyst or infected pimple it's great!, for those of you like me that your face doesn't exfoliate it's a great exfoliant, controls oil, and in the long run really beneficial to your face in terms of wrinkles and anti-aging-lasts long

Cons:

Will definately make you peel--so use a moisturizer with it and use small amounts--if you get eyebrow waxes be sure not to use it a least 3-5 days before cause you will rip your skin off!--can sting--makes skin very sensitive to sun so use sunscreen

I use it now about 3 times a week(every other day) or more if I get an under the skin cyst--it is great for people with blackheads and those who have "sticky skin"--skin that doesn't exfoliate correctly by it's self like it's suppose to---A major pro about this product is that it helps in anti-aging as well because you are constantly exfoliating the skin, helping the new skin keep fresh by exfoliating all the old skin cells, dirt, and oil from on top of it--my cosmetic dermatologist says they 4 key ingredients to healthy skin are retinoids, moisturizers, sunscreens, and vitamin c(?) I think thats right--I haven't been in a while-- For my skin it works and for people without problem skin, if you use just a tiny dab and rub it all over(avoid eyelids, as that skin is to thin and delicate to use chemicals on) and then use a moisturizer And only use it maybe once or twice a week it will really benefit you later and keep you looking younger
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December 20, 2008

Pros:

None

Cons:

Destroyed my skin. Do not use this product. It is poison.

At age 44, I started to experience troubling breakouts after being acne free for years after taking accutane in my early 20s. Derm put my on Retin-A micro. Stayed on it for 12 weeks despite redness, creating more cystic acne all over my face because derm kept telling me this was normal and to push through it. Bull. The redness came and stayed for the duration of treatment. I was instructed to use 1% each night. I used the prescribed pea size amount and waited until skin thouroughly dry. I now have wrinkles around my cheekbones that were never present before, huge acne scars, my face swelled so now I have VERY deep nasolabial lines that were barely noticeable before I used this crap. Now going on accutane thanks to this poison. Don't be fooled. If you are having bad reaction after 3 weeks STOP this crap before you do more damage. I look at photos before and after and it makes me physically ill. I doubt I will ever look like my old self again. Would like to sue for damages.
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December 18, 2008

Pros:

gives a healthy glow
feels clean and doesnt burn unlike other meds
reduces breakouts and makes them go away faster

Cons:

makes skin dry and peely at beginning
made my skin very oily after constant using
a tad bit expensive

okay, so before going to my dermatologist, i checked reviews on this site. i was hesitant to try tretinoin because of mixed reviews, but agreed to try it after my doctor prescribed it. for the first month or so there wasnt much of a result. after 3 months i noticed acne fading and breakouts werent as bad. ive now been on tretinoin for almost 6 months, and ive gone through 5 refills, and wow, let me tell you, this stuff is amazing! i rarely get new pimples and old scars are fading. of course, when i eat unhealthily i tend to break out, but tretinoin makes the zits go away faster and leave small or no scaring. im using tretinoin along with an organic herbal liquid (made of various plants, garlic, etc). the only complain here is is that the product has made my face oily, i had the dryest skin before using and it peeled at the start of treatment. but now, my skin is as oily as its ever been. despite this negative, i DO recommend tretinoin. it takes time & patience but it really work!
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December 16, 2008

Pros:

Clears up skin after 6 months, cured back acne. skin becomes soft and smooth.

Cons:

leaves scars which would take 6 to 12 months to disappear. use too much and you'll give yourself acne. always use just a pea size for the face.

I'm south east asian (light to medium colouring) with oily-dry combination skin and massive pores. mild to medium acne and reacts well with BP and use tretinoin (0.05%)with antibiotics and mild toner, moisturiser and exfoliate daily (for sensitive skin). The first month of tretinoin was good. didn't react horribly except for redness and sensitivity. 2nd and 3rd month made me cry. Back was smooth though. The face was another matter. Couldn't wear make up cause it flakes but thankfully i was in manchester where it was rainy and cloudy so going out wasn't a problem. 4th month i decided to go to my dermatologist. she prescribed me doxycycline 100mg to take for 4 months and only to use tretinoin every 2 days at night, the rest of the time i use BP. I had been using tretinoin every night before. It might be the antibiotics but I've cleared up.. aside from the scars that covers 90% of my face and only get the occasional acne. bottom line? just use it for the back.
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December 3, 2008

Pros:

My skin looks brighter... Has a nice little glow

Cons:

Peeling!!!!!!!!

I've been using this for two weeks now. It might be too early to tell but I have no complaints as of yet. I was on birth control and that helped a ton with my acne but I got off of it and the pimples came quick. My doc prescribed tretonin .025 for me and the only bad thing that happened so far is the peeling. But its really not that bad. I use a great moisturizer and wash. Aveeno's"positively radiant" line. The moisturizer is spf 30 which is really good for your skin while on any acne medication. The wash is very good as well. Its a little expensive though. 15 bucks for a little bottle of moisturizer and about 8 bucks for a nice size bottle of the wash. My routine is to wash my face at night and put a small amt of tretonin on my face 30 minutes later minimum. Then the next morning I wash again and mositurize my face. I use a little vasaline on the sore spots on top of the moisturizer as well. And by sore spots I mean that there will be a point where your skin will feel sun burned. But
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December 3, 2008

Pros:

Made my skin soft, less blackhads

Cons:

Made my acne worse, oily skin.

This may work for you and i see no reason why you shouldnt give it a shot, but this did not work for me, and I have been using it consitantly for 3 monthes with doxi, and Finacea.
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December 2, 2008

Pros:

Less and less break outs as time goes by (and its only the 4th week). I've tried proactiv, and all those other systems, but they don't work as well as Retin A.

Cons:

It takes time to start seeing results, but these results last longer (and I hope it does). It dried up my skin a lot when I began, but now I'm used to it and I can use it every night. Costly too...

Retin A is very effective in treating Acne. It takes a lot of patience, but it's definitely worth using. At last, I've found an answer to my acne problem. But...it requires a prescription from a doctor...
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December 2, 2008

Pros:

Works well.You will seriously have no acne in 3 months.Smooth skin. Heals scars and shrinks pores.

Cons:

You will break out for about 2-3 months or so and obviously feel horrible. Dry skin very badly. You should use Cetaphil no b.p. or s.a.. You can't really go in the sun unless you want a red sunburned face.

Use it, it works.. I had BAD acne and now I'm completely clear.
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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