Acne treatments
Starting Accutane, tretinoin or a new cream? Most treatments take weeks or months, and some make things worse before they get better. These guides cover the typical timeline for each, what’s worth tracking, and how to tell whether it’s the treatment that’s working, or something else in your life.
Accutane
Tracking your Accutane (isotretinoin) journey
What a typical Accutane (isotretinoin) course looks like month by month, what's worth tracking, and how to keep progress photos and a log you can show your dermatologist.
Tretinoin
Tracking your tretinoin (Retin-A) journey, purge and all
What to expect from tretinoin (Retin-A) week by week, including the purge, and how to track progress photos so you can see whether it's working.
Adapalene
Tracking your adapalene (Differin) journey
What to expect from adapalene (Differin) over the first 12 weeks, including early worsening, and how to take before and after photos that show if it's working.
Benzoyl peroxide
Tracking your benzoyl peroxide journey
How long benzoyl peroxide takes to work for acne, what's worth tracking while you use it, and how to tell if a breakout is the treatment or something else.
Spironolactone
Tracking your spironolactone journey for acne
Spironolactone is a prescription tablet for hormonal acne in women and takes 3 to 6 months or more. Here's a typical timeline, what to track, and how to follow it alongside your cycle.
Birth control
Tracking acne on the combined pill
The combined pill can help acne, but it takes months. Here's a typical timeline, what to track cycle by cycle, and how to tell if it's working.
Azelaic acid
Tracking your azelaic acid journey
Azelaic acid works slowly on acne: some improvement after a month, the most after about six. Here's a typical timeline and how to track your progress.
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