"i wanted to take the time to write a review in the hopes to give at least one person the self confidence boost they need to keep going with retin-a.  i&#039;ve been waiting for the day i get to write my own review.  

i officially started using retin- a .25 just under 4 months ago today.  my first day was 3 weeks before my birthday.  i remember contacting my dermo in advance with a million questions and mostly the fear of going through the purge during this busy time filled with celebrations, events, etc.  i thankfully, made the gamble and started!  i decided it was always be... i&#039;ll start next week, next month.  let&#039;s be real, when is there ever a good time for acne?!  

i can only describe the last 4 months as a roller coaster.  there will be good days. there will be days you hide inside. at some points i thought i was done purging, then it would come back.  it takes time.  painful cysts too, that do not go away.  i would rather have 20 white head pimples all over than 1 deep painful cyst on my face!  it was the most challenging thing i&#039;ve gone through. it will test your patience.  to the point of tears, and why me&#039;s!  at one point i scheduled an emergency dermo appt to receive cortizon injections on 3 cysts that were almost the size of dimes!! i couldn&#039;t take it anymore.  this was 2.5 months. he sat me down and said it takes 3-4 months for results to be reached and you will hate your dermo for that time and gave me the push to continue to go forward.

here&#039;s the good news!  i am at my 4 month mark, and i have never been more happy.  i haven&#039;t had a break out in 1.5 weeks.  i don&#039;t know the last time i&#039;ve been able to say that. i can take on the cali summer and not feel like i&#039;m hiding.  my biggest advise is be strong!   tell yourself everyday, it&#039;s only 4 months of the rest of your life.  get past the 4-5 month mark and it will all be worth it!  the past will be a blur!  good luck and you can do it!"