5 replies to this topic

[RonP]

A pretty simple post: I've been on Taz for about 3.5 months, and nothing has really happened. I have the stronger cream, but still have a descent amount left in the tube, which leads me to believe i'm not using the correct amount.

Well, how long does it normally take to see results? Should I discontinue?

Thanks

[dadoody]

I had the same issue for a while, but I think you're doing the same mistake I did: you're not using enough/using it wrong.

For months I was using tazorac to spot treat and was pissed off when more zits came up. It was like playing a losing game of wack-a-mole. I found an article on the internet written by some dermatologist about the role of retinoids and I finally realized that I was using it wrong.

To use tazorac (or any retinoid) right, it has to be layered onto the face - just like you would layer on sunscreen. Retinoids keep your pores moving so you don't get new acne - they're good preventatives. I used Benzamycin cream to kill my active acne. I wore that @ night and used a layer of tazorac during the day. After about 1.5-2 months my face cleared up, and I now use tazorac day and night. Layered on my face. My face is almost as clear now as it was when I used accutane.

To give you a good measure - I go through 1 tube of tazorac per month.


If it's been 3.5 months for you and you've only gone down 1/2 a tube - you're not using it enough.

[willow569]

I agree with what the above poster said. Many people mistakenly try to use acne topicals as spot treatments when they are meant to be used all over the face. Using a pea sized amount is what is generally recommended.

[jaybin2]

I use A LOT more...tazorac .05, i use about 2-3 pease worth on my whole face....is this ok?

my skin can bare it, it doesnt dry out that much...

what do you think

[peteyboy]

I am using differin instead of tazorac, and I use a a pea size amount. I find that this reduces irritation, and surprisingly, my acne improved when the irritation is eliminated as well.

More is not better. As long as you cover our whole face, tazorac should work fine. Using less is more econmical and reduces irritation, and works just as well.

I find that using a moisturizer first helps spread the retinoids really well, so you just have to use a small amount to cover the whole area. Of course, it would be better to allow the moisturizer to 'dry' first before using retinoids.

[Addie]

Tazorac and I didn't really work out, but I found it helped a little to use more than a pea-sized amount. I never experienced irritation, and I probably wouldn't try it if I had experienced irritation from the start.