Tretinoin Cream for Acne Scars - Lincoln, MO

Hey Eva,
Thanks for replying and I will definitely look into your review.

I mainly had acne on my cheeks, occasionally I would have a cystic breakout (never more than one at a time) which did cause rolling scars as well as icepick scars. Those aren't nearly as bad as the post red marks or hyper pigmentation that I mainly suffer from. So it gives me an uneven skin tone. I would consider my acne at that time as moderate. Now, I would have said mild maybe a pimple here and there around my period. (But I have noticed since using tretinoin cream my skin is 100% clear of breakouts, whiteheads, blackheads, etc). I had more pimple/zit like break outs. I'll admit, I wasn't aware of how important skin care was at that time. I never used sunscreen, and I'd constantly wash my face which then made my skin more oily, which then made me not like using moisturizer which later come to find out was a HUGE benefit to clearing my skin. I would say Salycic acid 2% and moisturizer were the 2 main things i would say is what got my acne under control........

As far as using Tretinoin cream, my skin is adapting to the medication pretty well. I do get red and irritated that's when I take a break either a day or two depending how irritated my skin has gotten. I do flake pretty badly around my nose, mouth and chin, which I know is pretty common.

My tretinoin regimen is:

I wash my face with Cetaphil face cleanser and apply aloe vera gel to moisturize my skin before using the tretinoin
I wait about 30 mins before apply the tretinoin cream (pea size amount) and all over my face
In the morning, I wash my face with the Cetaphil and apply a sunscreen moisturizer at least 30 SPF

So far, this simple routine has made quite a difference in just 2 weeks. I will update in another 2 weeks in hopes I see even better results.

My skin is beginning to even out. Which is my main concern. I did notice some of my acne scarring did turn more red and noticeable, at first when using tretinoin but i'm starting to see that my skin is adjusting the cream and starting to give me some promising results.

I do moisturize and have been a lot more lately, after applying the aloe vera and tretinoin, i'll wait an hour or so, and sometimes apply cetaphil lotion to my face, anytime i notice flaking and/or redness I always apply lotion or moisturizer.

Thanks for your reply, very helpful. I shared this information with my son because I've been trying to get him to try Retin-A but he is hesitant. 

I look forward to your updates. Take care!

Very Helpful thank you.
Any update on the treatment 1 year later ? A lot of pimple mentioned that they experienced a purge sessions. Did you go through that same phase?

No, i never went through the purging stage at all. I actually quit using tretinoin and started at home micro needling which ultimately helped my (pitted) acne scarring. It's been about a year and noticed significant difference. I'll also mention I use witch hazel, aloe vera (natural plant) as a moisturizer and once a week bentonite clay masks and I will say my skin has been in the best condition, no acne, my scarring has diminished as well as my hyper pigmentation. Overall, I feel tretinoin was too harsh for my skin especially when I was concerned more with the actual pitted scarring. Depending on your skin type and what you're targeting I most likely would not recommend tretinoin, considering I had better luck with more natural remedies like the aloe vera and clay masks

I will definetely try the above ! thanks for responding. I have hyperpigmentation, so I dont want to do something too extreme to my face

anytime :) I'd definitely try the more natural route especially if you have minor hyperpigmentation and that's mainly all you're concerned with, especially bc tretinoin can be tricky depending on your skin type, good luck! Glad I can help

It works wonders, depending on your skin and how it reacts to the cream, gradually working your way up is the way to go. Take a few days off if you notice your skin getting irritated and over drying, also try washing your face with a gentle cleanser like cetaphil, I've noticed it helps when using tretinoin not to use too many products for your face, for instance; wash your face with cetaphil, wait for your skin to be completely dry and then apply a small amount of tretinoin you honestly don't need much, if you use too much it can irritate the skin, wait an hour and use a gentle moisturize also, ALWAYS use sunblock or a moisturizer with sunblock (at least a 35 spf)n if you're planning on being outside, tretinoin makes your skin really sensitive to sun and you don't want to reverse the affects...i also did a full face tca peel, after prepping my skin with tretinoin for a few months...and THAT helped more than anything...i had really blotchy red hyper pigmentation from past acne, after about 6 months in to using tretinoin and microneedling, i decided to do a 25% tca peel and my skin discoloration is completely gone, I just still have some stubborn acne scars but all the redness and bitchiness has completely gone away. If you ever plan on a peel definitely do thorough research because it can be very damaging to the skin if not handled properly.