Topical Retinoid
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Produces similar results to the two other topical retinoids, tretinoin and adapalene, which means only partial clearing, and comes with far more sensitivity and side effects when you first start using it. It probably won’t be a total game changer and don’t be surprised if it’s too much for your skin to take.
Topical Retinoid
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Tazarotene? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
February 17, 2011
Cons:
Sucks, made me break out worse, irritating, greasy, expensive.
This was prescribed to me by a dermatologist who met with me for about 1.5 minutes. He gave me this and some $100 sulfuric face wash that smelled like dead animals. The Tazorac started making me break out in welts immediately. After a few weeks I couldn't take it anymore - my acne was worse than it had ever been! I looked at the tube and here's why: this cream has mineral oil in it, which is comedogenic. I don't even know why they make it that way, seems like a violation of common sense. As for the sulfur wash, I prefer good old Cetaphil, even a dirty gym sock would be more effective. The Bottom Bottom line is, always make sure you are going to a good, reputable derm. And don't use Tazorac.
February 14, 2011
Pros:
Makes you more prone to flaking
Stings/irritating esp when you first start
Cons:
Clears Skin
Very effective
Prevents Aging/wrinkles
So, this cleared my skin. The important thing is to use it consistently and to moisturize. I also recommend using water only to wash your face or using a VERY gentle cleanser. You cannot use a harsh cleanser or bar soap with this. Be prepared to get flaky. This is how the medicine works, it makes your cell production speed up. But on the plus side, this also prevents wrinkles from forming. People who use this WILL look younger longer (look into the science, it's basically an anti-aging treatment). So you have to moisturize. Once you use this for awhile, everyday, the flakiness kind of calms down. But if you skip some days it gets pretty bad. It took 2 weeks for this to work and now my skin is clear. A 30gram bottle can last me 2 months. Use a PEA sized amount. I personally use the gel, I can't comment on the efficacy of the cream. My study plan covers this, but I believe it's 60$/tube without insurance, at least in canada. Totally worth it though.
February 1, 2011
Pros:
clears all pimples and majority of small cysts
leaves skin clear as long as you keep up with regimen. I went about a month without a cyst with Tazorac it is AMAZING
Cons:
Dry flakes/redness (use aveeno ultra calming its amazing trust me)
Sensitive to sun
Takes a long time. Probably 12-14 weeks but its better then accutane.
Doesnt reduce redness in scarring
Its really awesome but once you stop i... it will come back. DONT BE LAZY WITH THIS MEDICATION. I stopped for a week because I thought it was all gone and it almost came all back. BTW with this medication I use cetaphil gentle skin cleanser/ aveeno ultra calming cream/ and monodox to reduce swelling and redness.
January 27, 2011
Pros:
it works
Cons:
takes a long time to work
I have been using the 0.05 taz and I've just upped to 0.01. The 0.05 worked well for me. As opposed to many users on this board, my skin tolerated the medication extremely well (no flaking, no burning, nothing...)After about two weeks of applying a heavy cream to my skin first before applying the taz, I realized that I didn't have to , so I applied the taz directly to my skin for about 2.5 months. Everyone else is saying my skin is clearing up and I have to admit that is it is. Right now I mostly have acne scars that are fading away. I broke out like usual (not more or less) for the first couple of weeks but now when I break out the pimples aren't as big. So here's my regime.
In the morning i use apricot scrub and an over the counter benzoly perioxide wash (PanOxyl). After drying my skin, I apply over the counter benzyl peroxide medication. And lastly, I apply neutrogena or Oil of Olay lotion for the face. The nights, I just apply taz(no cream or lotion) and go to sleep. Disclaimer: I'm also on birth control so that may be a confounding variable.
December 29, 2010
Pros:
acne seems to be better... but maybe thats me just wishing it would work so bad and im tricking myself into thinking that.. ha
Cons:
bad initial breakout, redness, itching, its taking foreverrr to work :/
I have used EVERYTHING. My derm.even said that if this doesnt work its either Accutane or just give up and deal with my persistent acne. I have been using this for almost 7 weeks now, and there still isnt much improvement. I just really wish this would work...im desperate and this is my last shot cause i dont want to take Accutane.. Wish me luck :(
December 9, 2010
Pros:
Clears deep
Helps wrinkles over time
Hopefully going to clear up skin entirely
Cons:
Takes forever
Super expensive
Greasy
Drying
For all you frustrated users: listen up. I started tazorac many years ago and it worked but it dried me out I stopped. Big mistake. I should have kept on it and used it properly. Years later at 22 years old, desperate and depressed about my decade occurring acne, I decided to go back on it. Thanks to this website I realized I was applying it all wrong. Don't do what I did!! I know it's hard not to apply gobs and gobs of product when you're staring at all of those red cysts and wanting them to disappear immediately but it isn't the solution. It will only make it worse I PROMISE. If you're looking for a quick fix this is not your product. I started in October and two months later I still feel like I want to cry when looking at my face. But in just one night of Using it properly I can feel and see a difference. Instead of slathering it on and then spot treating the major ones, apply a good lotion (I use cetaphil or cerave) and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. After that, apply a pea sized amount of tazorac over your entire face. I know this s so hard when you feel like you need a dump truck size amount but it'll be worth it when you wake up in the morning. I did the correct way just last night for the first time and I already feel better. Yes I have zits and red marks still, but I don't have a million new ones popping up among a sea of dry flaky skin otherwise known as my face. I have about 5 weeks to go in the 12 week process and im praying that the new proper application will be what I needed to see the results I wanted. Be patient and understand that this product does not just keep zits from forming like some other weaker products. No, this product does exactly the opposite. It brings everything to the surface and starts fresh. If you dnt want this to happen don't use this. Hope this helped someone. I will post an update after my 12 week marker hits. Wish me luck....
November 19, 2010
Pros:
Drys up current pimples quickly. Improves skin texture. Minimizes pores. Once used for a substantial amount of time really does work!
Cons:
Dryness and flaking til your skin gets used to it. Can get worse before it gets better I however didn't experience this effect. Once applied feels kind of oily. Redness.
I have suffered from acne since I was 13. I am now 20. I tried everything (proactiv, clean and clear, differin, retin-A, aczone, doxycycline, minocycline, amoxicillin). My acne wasn't cystic but rather numerous white heads. Finally my dermatologist put me on Accutane. I LOVED IT!!!! It worked amazing and I love my skin while I was on it. Once I finished I was off it for about 6 months and started breaking out again. I believe it was stressed induced from starting up college again. I didn't want to go back on Accutane from a negative side effect I experienced (hairloss) so my derm put me on Tazorac 0.05% cream and increased my strength as my skin tolerated it. Now my skin is like it was on Accutane except it is a little more red but as far as clear complexion it is. I believe I didn't have an initial breakout from previously being on accutane which aided in not a lot of bacteria underneath the skin. However, I do recommend using a HEAVY CREAM before applying tazorac because sometimes when I'd forget my face would get really irritated. I think it took like 4 - 6 weeks to see the results I wanted. Try it!
October 16, 2010
Pros:
works fast
feels good-skin feels clean and fresh
brightens skin
clears up acne
if you miss a day, your acne doesn't come back full force
if you stop using it, the acne that comes back isn't nearly as bad.
Cons:
can make acne worse if not used properly
drying if not used properly
if used correctly, NONE! :)
Basically, make sure you use this right. I used a .05% gel. my dermatologist prescribed me the wash and gel and didn't tell me how to properly use it. I did my own research through medical journals (Hours and hours of research) I wash my face with a 3% benzoyl peroxide prescription cream wash, letting that touch my skin for about 10 sec. then i put on a HEAVY cream. Eucerin mosturizing cream. Right after i wash. its not oil free. YOU HAVE TO USE VERY HEAVY CREAMS!!! not that dandy oil-free stuff. no. I have INSANELY oily skin. but I use a heavy cream. because by the time your oil is produced, there's no water to lock in if you use prescription medication. it just lies on top of your skin doing nothing. letting your skin dry out only makes the acne worse. the way this works is by increasing cell turn over so that you have new fresh skin and your skin repairs its-self. the benzoyl peroxide wash helps create an enviornment (by oxidizing your face) in which bacteria can't live. that being said, most research shows that in order to minimize irritation and dryness, this is best used twice a day with short periods of contact. (this is called short contact therapy and you should work up to twice a day). between 30 sec. to 15 min. I do about 15 min. two times a day. after you wash your face and moisturize, apply the gel all over your face. (even the parts without acne). ONLY a PEA-sized amount. Leave on for 30 sec. to 15 min (when you start out go only about 30 sec. to a min). then RINSE off. with WATER only. pat dry. and apply a sunscreen moisturizer. Eucerin everyday facial moisturizer worked the best. the reason you can use a light moisturizer (instead of the heavy cream) in this step is that the cream won't really come off when you rinse. this will make your face bright and new looking. I've gotten SO MANY COMPLIMENTS on my skin. It looks Gorgeous. Its texture and color and the way it GLOWS. it doesn't take long for results to show. seriously. a week or two fo
October 16, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up skin well in conjunction with other treatments
Lasts very long (one tube lasted 8 months with more than half the tube left over)
Cons:
Oily
Doesn't work to well alone
Stops working after a while
Works great with Benzaclin and antibiotics. Doesn't have great affect by its self. You really only need a pea sized amount at night so the tube lasts forever.
October 6, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up acne some.
Didn't irrate my skin too much.
Cons:
Redness/burning first week I used it.
This worked pretty well for me, the best thing I have used for acne beside Accutane. Really clears up the pimples I have, but doesn't help prevent new ones from forming.
I read online that it can help with acne scars and marks, not sure about this but maybe it does my scars and marks aren't as bad as I thought they would be since I have had acne since I was 13 and I am now 20.
Pros:
None!