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
September 28, 2011
Cons:
BAD breakouts
Itchy, dry-prone skin
I'm not sure if this medication is worth it....the breakouts seem to get worse and worse as time goes on. I'm waiting for the time when everyone says it gets much better, but it's been almost 4 months now with slight improvement on my forehead and absolutely NO improvement everywhere else. I'm not sure what to do here :( I've had acne since I was 14 and ten years later there still seems to be no solution.
I would just recommend that you know that you are truly ready for your skin to get MUCH worse before it gets better, with the possibility of it staying worse than when you started.
August 15, 2011
Pros:
*softer skin
*some acne scars fading
Cons:
*still have acne
*very sensitive to the sun
*initial breakout lasts forever
*causes more breakouts
i have some mixed emotions about this medicine. I still breakout even though i have been on this 1% cream for about 4 months now! I feel like if you get on this medicine you will still have breakouts no matter what. maybe i just need a stronger dose but that means i have to go through another bad initial breakout that wont go away until the last 3 months are gone:( so i hate that this medicine isnt working and im going to keep taking this until october. Hopefully by then i wont have to be worried about a pimple. so if your thinking about taking this medicine look into the side effects because some is more worse to others and basically you will get a side effect!
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 :(
September 22, 2009
Pros:
I'm sure it works for many and might work if you stick it out but first you have to witness your entire face burning off. Not willing to give it a chance given the results after two days. Luckily I didn't have to pay much with insurance.
Cons:
I look like a lizard that survived a horrible fire. Obvious emotional distress. Severe burning and pain, peeling, blistering, extreme drying, redness. Face peeling off. Prefer the acne.
I only used it for two days - my face got so dry and tight that I woke up bleeding from the sides of my mouth where the skin had cracked, and basically my whole face is peeling off where i applied the gel - but only where i applied the gel (.05%) The places where I didn't put the gel weren't affected - so basically some of my skin is white and some of it is burned off crusty and red and peeling like crazy. Now there are what looks like blisters appearing around my mouth. My skin is now leathery and I look like a burn victim. My doctor didn't warn me of this - he said "you might have dry skin for a month". He should have said - make sure you don't have to socialize or work or leave your house if you use this stuff because its going to burn your face off. I called out from work today but looks like i'll just have to go out in public like this because the show must go on. This is the most horrible horrible horrible thing i've ever experienced with my skin.
September 12, 2009
Pros:
Skin looks better, better tone overall, seems to clear up new breakouts quickly
Cons:
Very harsh if you have sensitive skin. Doesn't seem as effective on current lesions before starting Tazorac. Redness, irritation, burning, some peeling, acne will get worse early on
I am a mature user (48) who has had acne off and on since age 15. Have periods of no breakouts, followed by random breakouts which get progressively more stubborn as I get older. I have used this 5 weeks now, which is probably not enough time to properly evaluate, but this medicine is not for the faint of heart and for users who do not follow instructions carefully. I was advised to start out at once per 3 days for 2 weeks, then every other day for 2 weeks, then every day. Dr. says a 50% improvement would be normal over a 2 month period. I think every persons case is different, dependent on age, type of skin, general health, and environmental factors such as stress, picking, etc. I do have faith this will work as I have seen improvement, but have gotten breakoutsm in areas that I haven't had in years and years. But my Derm. who is president of the Derm. Association of Tennessee says it is one of the most effective treatments he has seen for acne, including Accutane.
August 5, 2009
Pros:
did smooth out skin texture
after initial breakout improvement was seen
Cons:
extremely drying
burned something awful
i only used tazorac for about a month, and at first i was happy with the results. there was some drying, and there was a really bad inital break out but i was expecting that. After awhile though my complexion did start to get better. As time went on, however, each application of the medication seemed to react less and less well with my skin. by the end, the burning was so bad that i would have to put ice packs on my face. I thought i was possibly allergic, but no other retinoids or similar products have given me that reaction.
July 25, 2009
Pros:
This has a 60% efficacy which is the highest in the industry for treatment of acne compared to Clindamycin which is at 30%.
Cons:
Very Expensive especially for those without insurance.
I've tried many topical treatments, anything from Proactiv, to Murad, to Acne Free, and all of the drugstore brands. All have proven to be ineffective. I even tried birthcontrol pills, but that only made my breaking out sessions more erratic. I finally seeked advice from my family doctor and she put me on Doxycycline (antibiotics), and Clindamycin (topical). Almost after two months of using them, my acne has started to spread and gotten worst. So Tazorac is my last effort in dealing with my acne before I seek a derm. They're just ridiculously unaffordable. And so...lets just knock on wood. I'll keep you up to date.
July 22, 2009
Pros:
None yet.
Cons:
Bad burning (probably worse cuz I live in the desert), Itching, Dry Peeling skin. (but I didnt know before the reviews that I you're supposed to moisturize first)
Only been a few days & Im only using it to spot treat. AVOID SUN EXPOSURE. It looks like huge welts all over my face now!
July 1, 2009
Pros:
Nothing so far.
Cons:
Breaking out more than ever before.
My doctor gave me taz and I quit using it immediatly because of the rough side effects of dry skin. I read some reviews and decided to try it again but It's been 4 weeks and so far, nothing but worse worse acne. I don't want to leave the house ever. It seems the reviews are 50% bad and 50% good. I need help!!! UGH!!!!!
May 26, 2009
Pros:
purges pores
Cons:
irritation, flaky skin, redness, caused extremely oily skin, breakouts
It caused havoc on my skin. It purged my pores but made me break out in places I never did. It made my skin extremely sensitive and really oily. It left small capillary vessels in the areas around my nose. I started every other day and dosages got adjusted by my dermatologist but after 2 months I couldn't stand it anymore and had to stop.
Pros:
Kinda waiting on the pros..