tretinoin/retin-a update--everyone currently using it please update - Acne Message Board

dylansq · 04-06-2002, 02:12 PM

It's about 12th week on tretinoin cream, and I don't know if I can stand waiting anymore. My acne has gotten worse, and I still haven't seen any major results. I don't know if it's just now working, or if my skin can't seem to get used to it. I am just tired of waiting (I know patience is important, but it's been 3 months).
My skin now is more rough and I'm getting acne where I wasn't usually getting it. It's also red and the spots seem to fade a lot slower than before (and the cream is supposed to speed that up!)
Should I continue using it or should I just quit? Your experiences and updates of your current situation would really help me out.
I think I'm losing my mind.
It's ok, we'll all get through it eventually (i hate saying that).

Angelene · 04-07-2002, 01:16 PM

Don't give up just yet. Stick with it. Are you using anything along with the retin-a?

I've been on retin-A micro since March 19, so it's been almost 3 weeks. I'm impressed with how it is working. I broke out immediately with 3 large painful cysts on my chin--in spots that throughout my life they would occur over and over again--and a few sparse pimples on my cheeks and forhead.

Now I'm seeing that my pores are shrinking. All the blackheads are being pushed up toward the surface of my skin, which is odd because I never even knew I had blackheads. My skin is unbelievably soft in places where it used to be rough. Those cysts are long gone.

I'm still struggling with scars. I have a few on my cheeks. I'm very very fair skinned, though, so it might take longer for me to see results in that arena. I also still have pimples on my chin. They are drying up and shrinking, but are still there nonetheless.

other retin-a micro users out there care to respond?

dylansq · 04-07-2002, 07:45 PM

I'm also using clindets with tretinoin cream. I've started with 4 a week, stopped (i ran out), and now I'm using them every day. I hope they help.
I dab a small amount of tretinoin on a clindet, and use in on my face before bed.
Anyone else doing the same?
I need to know if I should switch to retin-a micro or maybe even retin-a, because I feel the tretinoin I'm using is too harsh.

Mudpie · 04-07-2002, 07:47 PM

I've been using Retin-A gel .025% for about 4 months and my skin isn't much better. Well, my skin tone and texture is better, but I'm still getting zits too, maybe fewer, but bigger ones. I feel like I'd have nice, smooth skin if I didn't have acne, ya know <IMG SRC="http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif">? I used to have lots of small bumps on my cheeks and forehead and a few bigger bumps on my chin and elsewhere. But now I'm getting more small cysts and whiteheads. Seems like things are just different. I tried MSM in conjunction for a week, but it was greasy. Now I'm taking B5 and grapefruit seed extract along with the Retin-A until I can get back to a derm.

I've had good results with Retin-A in the past, but it was always while taking an antibiotic. But now I really don't want to go on antibiotics yet again. GSE is a natural antibiotic, so I'm hoping that will help.

dylansq · 04-07-2002, 10:39 PM

Same here...last time i was on retin-a, i was also doing tetracycline, which i don't want to go back on!
so i don't know if retin-a was even affective.
grapefruit seed extract? i want to know more!
have you heard success stories?