My dermatologist gave me a lot of boxes of the samples from two years ago, it irritated my skin and did not help. So then I tried it again this year in the previous month...did not irritate as much because I only applied to affected areas like my cheeks. I noticed that every time I used it (for a few weeks) it broke me out especially on my jawline. =/ Every body is different so I guess you have to at least wait over a week to see results.

Taz is a retinoid, and a powerful one at that. You should expect a purging of your pores when you first begin a retinoid. This could last several weeks. I know its difficult but you will really need to give this med a full 3 months before you are able to judge whether it works for you. I could not handle the initial breakout I was getting from it.

i have been on this medication for about a week, and i feel like it is making my acne worse. is this a normal reaction, because this never happened to me with any other medication i have taken.. ex- differen, epiduo or the antibiotics ive been on.. if anyone has any positive stories about tazorac i would like to hear them.since im kinda depressed that its making my acne worse, i just want this stuff off my face lol

Make sure you are using it correctly. It works really well if you use it correctly. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser (Like Olay Foaming Face Wash, Cetaphil, or CeraVe), moisturize with non-medicated, heavy duty moisturizer (Eucerin calming daily moisturizer or CeraVe Lotion, cream, or PM Moisturizer) wait 15 - 20 minutes and apply a small amount (pea size. SMALL pea size) over entire face. Use your finger tips and just dab it onto cheeks, chin, and forehead. Rub it in a little (gently). Then go to bed. In the morning, just wash your face and moisturize/use sun protection. Do this for at least 3-4 months to see any changes. Take a day off here and there from the tazorac if you're getting really dry from the medication or even use it every other day -- that can help limit the "purging" the above poster is talking about. You'll know if your face is getting dry if it stings or burns when you moisturize and/or if it feels "tight". A little dryness (tightness) is expected, but be wary and ease up a little. Stinging and burning means you really should ease off and give your skin one day off.

If you can't even use it every other day without burning, consider short contact therapy. That's where you put it on and wash it off after five to ten minutes.

After you've used it for a while and your skin isn't getting dry anymore (probably around the 6 month mark), you can add in things like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. If they break you out, you'll know its the new products because you will have your tazorac routine established. First thing I recommend incorporating at around the 6 month mark is a clarisonic. It does wonders for lifting dead skin and making your products absorb better.

thanks for the advice skinnie.. ive been using this medication for 19 days now, broke out last week now it seems to be getting better but i know this is the just the start and i have a while to go before i see results