acne
"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'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'll start next week, next month.  Let'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've gone through. It will test your patience.  To the point of tears, and why me'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'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's the good news!  I am at my 4 month mark, and I have never been more happy.  I haven't had a break out in 1.5 weeks.  I don't know the last time I've been able to say that. I can take on the CALI summer and not feel like I'm hiding.  My biggest advise is be strong!   Tell yourself everyday, it'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!"