Tazarotene
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Tazarotene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in...

Tazarotene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in the skin.

Tazarotene is usually applied once a day around bedtime.

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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 :(
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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....
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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!
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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
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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.
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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.
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September 29, 2010

Pros:

It got rid of some clogged pores

Cons:

A lot! I had clear skin before using this, i was previously using Differin cream on and off just to help clear some acne scars i had from a bad breakout last year. But only 3 weeks ago my derm switched me to Taz and it has given me THE WORST BREAKOUT known to mankind. I now have cysts, pustulars clogged pores and not to mention redness all over my face! I should never have started it. It seems to be creating something out of nothing.
Expensive in Australia.

Don't use this if you have light acne. This will give you really bad acne and red marks only after 3 weeks of use. Like i said before, it seems to be creating something out of nothing, where i never had any underlying bumps, it has created them and consequently turned them into GIGANTIC pimples like i have never seen. It's like the makers Taz are out to get me. Everyday i feel like crying because it is getting worse and worse. I know it's only been 3 weeks but imagine what it will be like after 12 weeks which is the suggested time line to use this product for. Everyday seems to be getting progressively worse. I just don't understand where it's getting this stuff from and how come it's so quickly to create pimples but it takes ages (at least thrice the time) to clear them. Beats me. I hate it,
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September 17, 2010

Pros:

Clears acne/blackheads
Easy to use
Pores appear tighter
Lightens acne scars

Cons:

Expensive
Peeling skin (becomes less severe with use)
Abnormally oily skin (after month 4)

Dr. prescribed 0.1% Tazorac in conjunction with Acanya Gel and Doxycycline for moderate adult acne. I used the Doxy along with the topicals for 3 months and saw a drastic improvement. I've continued to use Acanya and Tazorac after the oral antibiotic regimen. My face is now flawless (minus the peeling/oily part). Skin was horribly, embarrassingly dry and peeled for the first few weeks. Skin stung and itched for the first few days when applying. Acne did, indeed, get worse before it got better. I've been using topicals alone for 2 months (5 months total w/ Doxy) and had one tiny pimple a few weeks ago. I used to break out terribly on my chin, neck and jaw during my period or ovulation. Now I have no acne at all. I tried all the non-Rx medications available. The best thing I did was to go to a dermatologist and have him put me on an effective regimen. I needed the Doxy to help clear my skin, and now the Tazorac maintains my complexion without oral antibiotics. I pay about $50 per tube, but it will last for about 2-3 months when using a pea-sized amount nightly. Always moisturize before using and be sure to wear a sunscreen during the day, even if you're not using Tazorac during the day. Skin is more susceptible to sun damage/burns when using. I would have given Tazorac a 5, but I can't seem to shake this constant peeling/oil slick combination. But, I would rather have a peely, oily face than the adult acne I used to have. I'm 29 and this is the first time in my adult life that I've been acne-free. :)
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September 7, 2010

Pros:

Clears Acne

Cons:

Itching
Redness
Peeling
Burns

This stuff is hardcore. I got put on it by a doctor as a last ditch effort to help get rid of my acne. It did work a little bit. I dont get deep acne anymore. I still have acne but am finding Im not getting a whole lot of new outbreaks. It is very potent like everyones been saying. Only need to use a pea sized amount in the areas. I started putting moisturizer on after washing my face, then applying this. It was the only way to stop the intense itching and burning. And the peeling is terrible. I would get a ton of dead skin flaking off my face when doin simple things like putting a tshirt on.
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September 3, 2010

Pros:

Clears acne, non-drying

Cons:

If used without a moisturizer, can burn skin or crack skin deeply enough to cause bleeding. Using without a moisturizer can lead to excessive flaking and burning. One must avoid excessive exposure to sunlight when using Tazorac.

Initially, upon using this, I used too much, with no moisturizer. This led to cracking my skin deeply enough to cause bleeding, as well as excessive flaking of my skin. If excessively exposed to sunlight, this can cause burning and very deep peeling. For me, the peeling was so deep, there was a very visible difference between non Tazorac treated skin and treated skin. However, after letting my skin heal and going back to retinols and other products used to promote skin cell turnover, I began using Tazorac on my cheeks, as it caused my forehead to breakout for some off reason. On my cheeks, when used over an Obagi moisturizer, it worked wonders! My cheeks felt smooth and hyperpigmentation marks began to lighten. My skin felt like new baby skin. I say felt because for a month, I have been having very strange breakouts and no longer have the beautiful skin - on my cheeks - Tazorac helped create.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website