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
24.1%
2
13.5%
1
8.5%

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April 18, 2009

Pros:

Speeds up the skin's processes, so pimples may come and go faster than they usually do, may have reduced, prevented, and improved scarring, my nose blackheads seemed to have lessened a little bit

Cons:

I'm still breaking out in cysts after 12 weeks, skin is uneven, red, scabby, peely; I do not look clear or even near clear, all the breaking out has made a ton of red and brown spots.

Tazorac did not really work for me. I had been told by my dermatologist that if Bactrim didn't work the second time, we would talk about Accutane. I was scared, and wanted to try every possible method to rid my acne before resorting to Accutane, so I had another derm prescribe me Taz in combo with Aczone and Solodyn. This entire system did not really work at all for me. I just saw my original derm a few days ago, and told him that I had been on Taz, and he flat out said to me, "I HATE Tazorac. It's so irritating!" I found it to be irritating to a certain extent, but the real problem I have with this med is that all it has seemed to do is just break me out and then fix the breakouts really fast as more pimples start to come up. It just didn't get to the root of the problem. I think that it's not a very good solution for severe cystic acne. But I don't regret trying everything first before deciding to go on Accutane.
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April 14, 2009

Pros:

Absolutly nothing.

Cons:

Peeling breakouts red skin the whole shabang.

Okay its almost my 5th month on tazorac. er was. i have been usuing for a long time. my skin wasnt too bad to start with honestly. but feeling bad about my back. whitch is bad so i got perscribed taz and toxycycline. it tottally ruined my life. but all of a sudden about a week ago my skin all cleard up! i was sick a week before so i didnt use any products. and i thought it was the taz finally working so i put some more on when i felt better. and i broke out soooooo bad every where with in hours. it was crazy. :/ so im almost a week without it hope i go back to where i was before i started. this product didnt work for me. and it wont so be carefull
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April 4, 2009

Pros:

The strongest topical medicine for treatment of Acne.

Cons:

Might be too strong for some people.

I tried Tazorac for about 2 months before I quit and went back to Differin. My dermatologist was still trying to perfect my skin and went with the strongest thing other than Accutane. Sadly Tazorac was way too strong for my skin. My skin would improve after a week but my face was so dry and peeling that new blemishes would pop up where there was irritation. I would go off the medication for a week letting my face recover and moisturizing. I did this routine 3 times but the same thing happened each time. I am sure it is a great product as I have seen it work but I suppose it is not for everybody. Remember Acne treatments is trial and error; what may work for one person may not work for another.
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March 2, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

Everything

This is one of the worst products I have ever used. It tells you that your face may get worst for the first couple of weeks, but my face got so bad that I can't even get it back to the way it was before I started using Tazorac. It has done nothing good for my skin, and now I don't even know how to fix the damage it has done.
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February 26, 2009

Pros:

Clearing up of the acne that the TAXORAC caused itself

Cons:

Literally, the peeling of your skin while your going about your day, burn marks on your skin, the itchy breakouts it causes and the the redness

I have used this product for 3 months now. I have researched myself to death about my symptons. The peeling of the skin that I read from several reviews is SOOO true as is the burning and scarring of the skin. It does cause severe breakouts in the beginning. I went back to my doctor for my 6 week check-up and my face was actually worse. He said that is common. My acne was no where near this bad when i started but he keeps telling me to hang in there because it will give the results i want. He says right now it the only product that can minimize your pores. He also prescribed DORYX (which was ridiculously expensive).
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February 10, 2009

Pros:

made skin less oily for a while.

Cons:

left skin in sores and lesions

I dont know if its just my skin or what, but after a month or so of using this product, my skin was so dry, it would fall off and leave bloody lesions and scabs. it was horrible and they took forever to heal. so in the long run, it destroyed my skin for more than a month [as in time for sores to heal] other than making it worse, this product didnt do anything for me. maybe was because my acne wasnt severe enough and this product was too strong? i dont know, but would NOT recommend this.
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January 29, 2009

Pros:

scars heal faster..little pimples go away faster. worked great for the first 3 weeks. doesn't smell, spreads easily with lotion.

Cons:

from week 3-6 (now), acne has gotten much worse than before.

This medication is very discouraging. My acne is worse now than when I started. I am hoping this is the initial breakout, though this seems to be an awfully long one. I hope this is it and it will clear, or I will be very disappinted.
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January 22, 2009

Pros:

None Yet...

Cons:

Broke worse than before...alot worse. Face is peeling like a mother. Extremely Dry.

I'm not really sure what to say, I was on Proactiv and that was working decently, but i wanted all my acne gone so i went to the derm and she prescribed Tazorac. She did not tell me it would get worse before it got better, but after reading the comments on this website I am relieved because I only had mild acne before, and now im getting moderate. Its really the worst my face has ever been. I'm gonna give this the benefit of the doubt and stick with it for 2 more weeks or so, but if my face only keeps gettign worse, I'll have to try something else. I don't recommend this if you can;t handle having the worst acne you'll ever have for a while.
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January 2, 2009

Pros:

sometimes it gets rid of existing pimples

Cons:

dryness, burning, itching, would create pimples where there normally wasnt

it might work for some but not me. ive been using it for a month and they keep saying it takes time. so far i havent seen any improvement and its just making my face worse.
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December 31, 2008

Pros:

None

Cons:

Uglyness, more acne, burning, red spots from acne UM which tazorac caused by the way!

There are no F***ing pros to this. I am so pist. I went to my derm cause i was stressed about a couple big reacurring pimples on my face. Ok seriously my face was perfect before I just had a few annoying ones on my chin big deal right but i just thought i culd get a quick fix but Tazorac has ruined my life. I look like a fricken pizza!!! and i'm definately getting scars i guess they're called ice picks casue they small and sunken in but still EW. I use to be able not to wear makeup thats how good my face lookt NOW i havta wear makeup everywhere i go. I hate going out this is so embarrassing. Please somebody tell me what to do. ANYBODY
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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