4 replies to this topic

[InAStateOfHopefulness]

I just picked my Tazorac. I have 9 days left of accutane before I start using it. I have ZERO "active" acne. I'm not sure if that's the proper terminology, but I have no breakouts, pus, cysts, whiteheads, blackheads, etc. Just aftermath rubbish - general roughness of the skin, hyperpigmentation, and a slight overall reddish complexion.

He wants me to be on this for a year! So I'm also wondering: will it help with the aftermath of my acne? It should, shouldn't it? I've just never had much luck with retinoids (Retin-A, Differin, and Epiduo). I mean, they were basically useless for me.

[ninjafriend]

If you're clear from the Accutane, I would think it would be unlikely that you would experience an initial outbreak from the retinoid. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure the initial breakout is a result of the retinoid pushing all of the funk to the surface of your skin in a hasty manner. If the Accutane has done its job, then there's nothing that needs to surface. That doesn't mean that you won't breakout while using the retinoid if your acne returns and the retinoid can't keep it in check. But that would be different from an initial breakout.

And yes, the retinoid should help with the "aftermath". It should help smooth your skin and even out its tone (you may have seen the Accutane smooth things out too), and your doctor may want you to use it as a kind of maintenance therapy. Even if you were unsuccessful with topical retinoids in the past, sometimes Accutane will put your skin in a place where normally ineffective treatments do the job. Everyone is different, and Accutane will do different things for different people. Some people are clear for years, others see a relapse soon after treatment ends.

Best of luck.

Edited by ninjafriend, 23 April 2012 - 04:34 PM.

[InAStateOfHopefulness]

Thanks for the information! It was very helpful! It makes sense that if my face is clear that it can't push anything out (thus no IB).

Accutane has smoothed things out somewhat, but its still pretty rough. I really hope that I do not see a relapse so soon... or ever. I want to maintain my relatively clear skin and improve upon it even more. I just really, really hope that it maintains everything. I don't know what I'll do if I relapse.

[skinnie]

They've found that the IB is actually caused by irritation in tazorac, not from "purging" as was though before. I would be very aware of the irritation levels of your skin and take a day off if needed when you feel dryness coming on. Apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer (I recommend CeraVe lotion in the big bottle. My derm has me use that) then wait 20 minutes!!! Be very very very careful to NOT be liberal with the stuff. gel or cream, use no more than a small pea size amount. dot it in several places and spread it lightly around. That's it. Just do that every night; don't use tazorac in the morning (it's sun sensitive so it'll degrade in the sun, so you're just wasting your money. plus. two times a day is too much.) Use sunscreen in the morning. (I recommend LRP Anthelios XL. You can get it for $40 for two tubes. One tube is still going for me and it's been nearly 5 months of using it every day on my face.) Try not to add variables to your regimen (masks, moisturizers, serums.)


I recommend checking out the taz website and using it like they tell you to.
My derm told me to use it the way detailed above (although I take breaks just because I know how detrimental irritation is for my skin.)

It's working really well for me! (and I didn't used to think I was a retinoid person, because they didn't seem to work before. It really was because I wasn't using them right, I think.)

Edited by skinnie, 28 April 2012 - 11:12 AM.

[InAStateOfHopefulness]

I never responded to your response... sorry. I forgot, but this has been really helpful! I've been having isseus with uber dryness. So I've had to skip a few days here and there. Like my face is peeling in some places. I also got a pimple, but it was gone in a couple days. It scared me.

I have been very liberally applying it (as liberally as I can). I also only wash my skin and moisturize. I guess a big problem could be makeup, but I'm too weak not to use makeup.