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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5
20.2%
4
33.6%
3
24.2%
2
13.5%
1
8.5%

Used Tazarotene? Rate It:

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September 6, 2008

Pros:

Gets rid of stubborn pimples, smoothes skin. USE MOISTURIZER - go to your health-food store and get some (gasp) OIL - like jojobam or squaline or sweet almond and use a tiny bit on wet skin.

Cons:

None - but you MUST wash your face and put moisturizer on BEFORE the Tazorac. I know moisturizer seems like the enemy, but you need it to protect from the excess burning. I recommend a tiny bit of jojoba oil - right onto wet, freshly washed skin.

I am 41,was on antibiotics as a young adult, then Accutane - which was great BTW - worked for 10 years or so. Then over the years I have used Retin-A creme, Proactiv (the cleanser is the only good part of that program), Differen, tea tree oli, sulphur and other preparations to kill my (hormone-stress-poor diet related) mild acne. Recently, nothing has worked, and I am faced with the dreaded wrinkles and dehydration crows-feet. Not a pretty sight: pimples and wrinkles. So I had some Tazorac samples from my Dermo - had never used them - until now. The first morning, zits that I had been fighting with for two weeks had vanished AND my skin was smooth and gorgeous. My skin looked shiny in the am - but I would rather have that than red-flaky mess. It was fine after cleanser & moisturizer. HOW I USED IT:I had first washed with a Dr.B's babymild castile soap, then applied a tiny bit of dqualine oil, then the Tazorac. Viola!
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September 4, 2008

Pros:

nice, smooth gel

Cons:

made my face a total disaster, worse than it has EVER been. Zits come in sets of two and three, especially near my mouth and in places where I never had problems before.They are huge and painful, my face is oily, peely, red, and so gross.

I hate this stuff. I was on it almost 3 months - giving it TIME to work, and it has made everything go from bad to WORSE.Last night was the LAST time I will ever use this crap. Glad it worked for some of you. For me it was 3 months of HELL.
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September 3, 2008

Pros:

gets rid of acne, break-outs not as bad as before I got onto the cream, caused some freckles to fade and evened out skin tone

Cons:

patches of dry skin, still get the occasional break-out

I've been using Tazorac for YEARS and it hasn't caused my acne to completely disappear. However, it has worked better than any other product I've tried. I used to have severe acne but now only have very light acne. The caveat is that I have to continue applying it or else my skin will return to way it was before. Even while using Tazorac, I occasionally have moderate break-outs but it gets rid of the resulting acne very quickly. The only reason I give it a "3" for effectiveness, instead of a 5, is that I am still dependent on it to keep my skin clear after so many years. I'm worried that my skin might get resistant to it and I'll have to switch to something that might either have worse side effects or does not work as well.
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September 2, 2008

Pros:

Got rid of my acne, shrunk my sebaceous glands, lightened scaring, got rid of most of my excess oil. A con is that it is expensive, but the pro is that it's worth the money.

Cons:

Very bad peeling, constantly flaking, skin felt dry during treatment (when used every night). Was very embarrassed to go anywhere due to the extremity of the peeling and flaking. Approximately $70 for a 100 gram tube of Tazorac Gel.

This was my last resort. I felt like I had tried everything and my dermatologist didn't want to give me Accutane but instead prescribed me Tazorac. It had some pretty ferocious and embarrassing side effects, but they were very well worth it. I stayed on Tazorac for 1-2 years in middle school. I am now in college and even though it's been a very long time since using this, the results are still there. After going off of Tazorac my skin was just amazing compared to what it was before treatment. And now that I'm a bit older and on birth control I feel that it's just improved even more and my skin is just about perfect. I still use Tazorac as a scar spot treatment and blemish spot treatment, as well as to keep the pores on my back clear from breakouts due to conditioner becoming trapped within them.
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September 2, 2008

Pros:

It lessens big zits relatively fast, but not overall acne

Cons:

Peels skin while also leaving it oily. It does not unclog pores and isn't any help when it comes to scars

I've been using this topical for almost 8 years (in gel and cream forms), and it's never fully delivered its clear skin promise (although numerous derms told me it would). It's good at staving off all-over acne, but as for existing breakouts, it's only so so. Apparently my skin does not work well with retanoids.
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September 1, 2008

Pros:

Absolutely the best product I have ever used for acne treatment. I have moderate acne due to insulin resistance. After a month, my skin was clear and stayed clear! My skin felt like a 16 year old's skin too!

Cons:

You really do have to wait out the redness. I had to go to a corporate conference, and my face was bright red and peeling all over. I was so embarrassed. But two or three weeks later, voila, perfect skin.

Just wait it out. Please don't give up on it for the first eight weeks. Yes, I know your face will turn bright red, and will kinda burn, and it will peel like crazy. It's worth it though. Seriously. Especially if you have insurance that will cover it. I stopped using it awhile back, and went on the Regimen, then switched over to ProActiv. I have decided to go back on my Tazorac though, because my acne just isn't getting cleared up despite my religious use of the products. The Regimen's BP is too heavy for my face, even after working it all into the skin. But it is indeed effective. Also, for us women, the Tazorac will make your skin feel like a baby's butt, because it's basically peeling the layers off your face. Just grin and bear the first four to six weeks. You will love it.
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August 29, 2008

Pros:

I've only been using it for about a week but so far it seems to be helping.

Cons:

It burns, peels, itches and makes going out embarrassing....

It dries out my skin and hurts a lot but with patience i'm hoping to see results very expensive if you don't have insurance
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August 29, 2008

Pros:

??????

Cons:

huge sores developed all over my face about 3 wks after starting the cream,many of tese would have pus and blood leaking from them. whenever i was with my girlfriend these knots would burst onto her face. i,ve had to quit my job .

?????????
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August 28, 2008

Pros:

It got rid of the big pimples...

Cons:

Burning, slight peeling.

Um I've been using the Tazorac gel for a little over a week now. It seems like it's really working, but almost right after I apply it I get a massive headache. I find this a little odd but whatever.
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August 28, 2008

Pros:

zero so far.. i've been on it for 5 and a half weeks..

Cons:

takes a very long time to see results. makes skin oily ( never experienced the dryness) initial breakout is disgusting, pimples get worse.

i tired tazorac upon recommendation of my dermatologist. she thought it would clear up all my blocked up pores and closed comedones ( whiteheads.) i had a few pimples, but nothing severe. i used to never wear makeup during the day, just at night if i was going out with friends. now, i cannot leave the house without makeup because of the horrible breakouts tazorac has causes. also, it makes me skin so greasy when wearing makeup. it has made my existing pimples huge from inflammation and cyst like. ive been using it for 5 and a half weeks and have seen minimal results. the damage it does is not worth the results. my self esteem has lowered immensely, as has my social life.
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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