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Side Effects
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.
Used Tazarotene? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
October 16, 2010
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.
June 25, 2010
Pros:
It clears up acne quickly and doesn't have a harsh odor. Plus it's inexpensive and a tube of it lasts for a few months.
Cons:
Skin becomes red and irritated during the first week of application. Also, it makes your skin sensitive to winter conditions and sun exposure.
When I entered high school, I had moderate acne. To clear up the few blemishes I had, I went to my dermatologist and was prescribed Differin. In a few weeks my skin went from okay to horrid. I suddenly had cystic acne and painful zits all over my face. Entering my sophomore year of high school, my skin was awful! My self confidence went down the drain. I felt hideous and hopeless. During my junior year, with nothing left to lose, I visited my dermatologist again and was prescribed Tazorac Gel. In a matter of days, my skin cleared up in a snap! I stopped wearing make up and I started going out more. People started coming up to me in the halls and telling me how beautiful my skin looked. I love my skin! Tazorac has opened up a whole new world of confidence and hope for me. It might not work for everyone, but talk to your dermatologist and give it a try! Don't let your acne control your life.
February 14, 2010
Pros:
works over time
Cons:
burns, dries skin out, makes it peel
My derm gave me this and warned me at first it will be harsh on my skin, and it was, but after my skin got used to it (took about a month) it started to really work, i used it for about 9 months and was really getting results until i ran out. i feel like my skin is starting to break out again, so i'm back to the derm to see what else to do!
*also a little pricey, but it is an rx, and worth it.
May 21, 2011
Pros:
+ 100% clear after 5 months
+ No side effects for me
+ Free with insurance
Cons:
none!
My acne before Taz: moderate pustules/papules on forehead and jawline with the occasional cyst on cheeks.
My doctor prescribed me 0.1% tazorac gel. I apply it once a night followed by 1% Clindamycin (an antibiotic gel to kill off the bacteria that's exfoliated to the surface from the retinol in Taz). I've only ever experienced very mild peeling while on Taz (which was expected), but definitely no purging side effects or any of the other negative effects described by other reviews. My theory is that this may have to do with me using an antibiotic cream (clindamycin is one, but hydrocortisone, or even manuka honey, also works) right after Taz, which help kill off the bacteria that's pushed up to the surface and would have caused comedones if left unattended. It's been 5 months and I am 100% acne free. I've used just clindamycin before and even though it cleared me the effect would wane over time and my acne would always come back. So I know it's the Tazorac that's the real star here. For those people who are still on the fence, give tazorac a try, even if you think it might be too harsh for your skin. I certainly thought my skin would not be able to handle Taz since it wouldn't even take AHA, but I was very surprised at how gentle Taz was. Tip: 1) dont forget to apply a very thin layer of moisturizer BEFORE applying taz as well as a thick layer AFTER applying taz (I use organic shea butter for this)
2) Like i mention an antibiotic cream right on top of taz should help a lot with purging
3) follow the directions in the little manual that comes with tube. apply only a small amount of the gel on the problem areas at first. Then slowly, over time, work your way into covering your whole cheeks with the gel.
August 11, 2011
Pros:
Really addresses under-the-skin acne
Evened skin tone
Cons:
Slightly drying
I started off on Taz .1% cream and just recently bumped it up to .1% gel. I know several people have problems with dryness, redness, or peeling, but honestly, I haven't had any of those issues. I started off by doing short-contact therapy, and gradually moved to overnight application. I use Cerave moisturizing lotion and wait 20 minutes before applying Taz. It's the first product that has ever worked for my acne in 10 years. I did experience the purging process, which lasted about 2 weeks. It really brought out all the acne underneath the skin. My forehead and cheeks were really bumpy. It was frustrating, but it's so worth it to see what my skin looks like now. If this product doesn't dry you out too much, I would definitely recommend it. I've used it for about 6 weeks, and can't wait to see the results after 12! I put the cost as nothing because I'm still using the generous amount of samples my derm gave me. Without insurance, or at least a decent plan, it's quite expensive.
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,
December 26, 2011
Pros:
AMAZING at fading hyperpigmentation (brown, red marks)
Destroys pimples and prevents them.
Recreates your skin
Cons:
Absolute HELL for the first 2-4 weeks of using it. Will cause intense peeling, burning, stinging, and itching. I'm not exaggerating, it really is hell.
Does nothing for deep pitted ice pick scars.
Amazing topical. It is no wonder this is the strongest retinoid available, it really does an awesome job of destroying acne, preventing it, and plus removing any acne marks you might have. Notice I said marks, not SCARS. This does not at all work on those ice pick ones that look like holes on your face, nope just red and brown marks. I've been using it for 1 month and it's been doing great things for my skin. Not going to lie though, the first few weeks were terrible. I would wake up in the morning to wash my face and want to cry due to looking like a peeling monster. There were also a few nights, where I could barely sleep due to the itching on my face. But see, that's how it works since it's literally peeling away all those marks and pimples and stuff from your skin...it's like a constant exfoliation or something I don't know. Applying moisturizer BURNS too during the first few days so that does suck too. ONLY USE A PEA AMOUNT, for christ sakes listen to them. Using anymore might seriously damage your skin. Anyway, STICK WITH IT. I can't even imagine what my skin will look like after a year on this stuff to be honest. Flawless, I'm hoping.
February 23, 2010
Pros:
cleared up whiteheads, blackheads and cysts
smooth skin
very effective
Cons:
slightly drying
expensive
Great product! I have been using the .1% cream for seven months and it has worked really well on my skin. I had moderate acne and some marks from scars. This cream has attacked both and now I feel I can go out without makeup. This is not a quick fix. . .it did take a couple of weeks to see results. It still has a tendancy to dry out my skin, but the application of a moisturizer with sunscreen does the trick for me. I also make sure that I clean my skin with a gentle cleanser as to minimize the drying effects. This cream is very pricey but it is definitely worth it!!
June 3, 2011
Pros:
None
Cons:
Initial breakout
Doesn't work
Skin extremely sun-sensitive
Flaking
I started this medication beginning of last year (2010) when I was 18. I had struggled with acne since I was 14 but was managing to keep it at bay. Then a couple months before I started tazorac I started having mild/moderate breakouts. The dermatologist I saw was really uninterested in having any real conversation with me about my experiences so far with acne, she just wanted to fill out a perscription and send me on my way. I went on the medication anyway and it was just like all the other failed stories - breakouts went from bad to terrifying pretty quickly. Hoped it would get better but 2-3 months later things just continued to get worse. AVOID THIS MEDICATION. There are better alternatives that will clear you up without having to put yourself through the anxiety of the initial breakout - and the very real possibility that it's just not going to get better.
June 28, 2012
Pros:
Clears acne
Smooths face
Reduces redness from scars
Cons:
Initial breakout
Takes a long time to see improvement
Peeling & itchiness if not used correctly
THIS STUFF WORKS. At first it's hell and seems as though it's not working but once you get to around 8 or 9 weeks everything will be worth it. Please continue to use this even after the initial breakout which occurs within the first 3 to 4 weeks. I've been using this for 13 weeks (12 weeks is the estimated amount of time for your face to be cleared) and my face went from cystic craziness to smooth and clear. I only get one or two pimples usually around my menstrual cycle. I still have red marks and ice pick scars but they are becoming less noticeable. My confidence is beginning to grow again, something I thought would never happen to me. I'm even getting noticed by guys again! Trust me when I say this works. Goodluck everyone.
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)