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
5
22.4%
4
33.8%
3
21.3%
2
13.9%
1
8.6%

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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 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 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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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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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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January 16, 2009

Pros:

Clears my acne pretty well does amazing job drying up your face.

Cons:

I brooke out in these weird hive things that are totally descutsting. this is an embaressment. i felt like skipping school today but i couldn't. i do not think you should use this medicine it is plane horriable.

yeah your acne goes away but the descusting rashes come out. it is not worth the pain! do NOT use this medicine you pay to get yours face messed up worce then it was before!
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January 13, 2009

Pros:

THE PRODUCT WORKS BUT I PERSONALLY HAD TO EXPERIENCE HORRENDOUS BREAKOUTS FOR 0VER 6 MONTHS

Cons:

IRRITATES SKIN, SUN SENSITIVITY, PEELING, VERY SLOW TO RESPOND

RETIN-A WORKS BUT IT TAKES FOREVER TO WORK, NO TO MENTION THE HUGE VOLCANOES THAT WILL DEVOUR YOUR FACE FOR THE FIRST 2 MONTHS .....IT BROKE MY SPIRIT EVEN MORE AND NEVER REBUILD IT BACK UP ....BOTTOM LINE AFTER 6 MONTHS I QUIT AND SAW LITTLE OR NO RESULTS ....IN FACT IT MADE MY SCARRING PROBLEMS WORSE ....I AM TERRIFIED OF RETIN-A N AND WOULD MUCH RATHER STAY WERE IM AT THAN MESS WIT THAT DIABOLIC CREAM AGAIN !!!!!!
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January 12, 2009

Pros:

It cleared some pimples in the first few days.

Cons:

It made my skin incredibly dry/flaky and moisturizer would not help.

I would rather have pimples than the dry skin that this left me with.
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December 31, 2008

Pros:

great for wrinkles!

Cons:

i peeled, peeled, peeled! face was red and raw. and my insurance wouldn't pay for it because i am over 35!

retin-a did nothing but make my face peel. it was red, raw and sensitive. i preferred acne to the mess retin-a made! i switched to differin and had much better results. and my insurance will pay for differin so that's a bonus.
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December 27, 2008

Pros:

cleared up forehead

Cons:

Makes everything 10x worse. Every single little red mark/bump will come to the surface. I used the medication properly, increasing the dosage as I went for 3 months. I saw results, except that it turned me into a red tomato with ZITS all over.

I understand that the medication works by renewing the skins cells so your skin gets worse, but after 3 months of .1% it just wasnt worth it and I went off it. I never had sensitive skin, like I could pretty much use any product and never have dry/sensitive skin but this prodcut made my face BURN. The irritation is terrible. Now im on doxycyline 200mg and benzaclin to clear up this mess, and my skin is doing SOOO much better off this medication.
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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