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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822
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Compare To Other Treatments
5
20.2%
4
33.6%
3
24.2%
2
13.5%
1
8.5%

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May 7, 2008

Pros:

VERY FEW WHITEHEADS COME TO THE SURFACE TO BREAK OUT OTHERS ARE STILL JUST THERE

Cons:

REDNESS, PEELING & BURNING

IT KINDA SEEMS TO BE WORKING, BUT I STILL HAVE ALOT OF NEW LITTLE WHITE HEADS (CLOSED COMEDONES)SOME OLD AND SOME NEW ONES, BEEN USING IT SINCE JAN 08' FIRST CREAM THEN SWITCHED TO GEL. I AM STILL WAITING FOR ALL OF IT TO CLEAR THEY ARE ON MY NOSE AND CHEEKS (UNDER EYES) SEEMS LIKE IT IS STILL SPREADING. STILL WONDERING IF I SHOULD TRY SOMETHING ELSE. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ACNE BEFORE
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April 25, 2008

Pros:

Eventually gets rid of acne, leaves your skin smooth and less pimply.

Cons:

Takes a long a@# time to work, burnt my skin at first, and very pricy but Ihave two medium sized tubes and i still have alot left from the first one after 2 months!

I have sensitive skin so it took a whole two months and a week for my skin to clear up! (I only have 3 small pimples now)I'm brown skinned and my face felt a little burnt after i used it for three weeks. I also used duac but switched to finacea for scars. I've been using finacea for a little longer than a month. And doryx 100mg a day. The combo is great. I have no pimples on my cheek near my nose, JUST SCARS ERRR. I alternate brevoxyl wash 4%, cetaphil, and dove soap for a cleanser. I love dove (frangrance free)! Oh yeah, if you have moderate acne and don't have a lot of money just use the Brevoxyl wash 4% twice a day, it WILL CLEAR YOU UP COMPLETELY!(NO PIMPLES)& a good a@# moisturizer.
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April 24, 2008

Pros:

Could see an improvement over night!

Cons:

I am so nervous to see how my skin will react over the next couple of weeks

I have had acne since 7th grade (I am in college now) and it recently got so bad that I was too embarassed to leave my apartment, even to go see the dermatologist! Once I made it there, he recommended Tazorac. Last night, I washed my face with Epicuren Acne Medicated Cleanser, then used the Epicuren Glycolic Peel (I am switching from Epicuren products to Cosmedix products in hopes that my skin will clear quicker), applied a nickel size amount of Cetephil moisturizer, then a pea size amount of Tazorac. I woke up this morning with noticeably smoother skin and less redness around infected areas. This happened in ONE NIGHT. I am dreading the next couple of weeks, seeing as how everyone says their skin got a lot worse before it got better, but what is a couple weeks compared to the years I have suffered from acne? It is worth a shot, I would say! I will update you all in a month or so with the conditions of my skin. Best of luck, don't let acne get you down!!
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Alyssa Darden
January 3, 2025
Hi!! How did you find continuously using the medication? Did you experience purging?
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April 23, 2008

Pros:

none really

Cons:

TERRIBLE initial breakout. NOT WORTH IT.

dont use it please, leaves alot of scars
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April 18, 2008

Pros:

Beautiful complexion in my skin now.

Cons:

Still have a few scars, HORRIBLE (I MEAN HORRIBLE) initial breakout.

Ok basically, you're going to want to quit when you use this product in the beginning. It makes you're skin look like absolute crap the first month or two. Trust me, I wanted to kill myself after looking in the mirror each day. But suddenly, after 2 months of enduring, I suddenly started clearing up. It's my third month now, I can finally go to school and actually interact with people. Don't give up, give this product a chance!
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April 15, 2008

Pros:

Clears up acne w/in first few months, nice glow to face, smaller pores

Cons:

Drying only around pimples

Okay, so I started using Tazorac once a day for 5 min. and then washing it off w/Benzic Wash 5%, since I have an oily face. I didn't know, but my Dr. was setting up my skin w/using it 5 min. in the morning and then washing it off. Well, my acne got so bad that I stopped using it and getting depressed. He didn't tell me it would make me break out! I stopped using it and immediately scheduled an appt to see him because I was so upset that I wasn't clearing up. He told me to use it at night from now on and leave it on. So, I listened to him and I was taking Spironolactone (75 mg in the AM and another 75 in PM to reduce oilyness) and washing my face twice a day with the Benzic Wash 5%, applying 0.5% Desonide cream to reduce redness, then the TAzorac and I was still breaking out so bad, all over my forehead I was getting a ton of little pimples and my only problem areas before were my cheeks!! I decided to stick it out and finally! 8 weeks later I am finally clearing up!
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3 user(s) found this helpful

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April 14, 2008

Pros:

my skin is softer and smoother than ever before. I'm really seeing results

Cons:

dryness, redness, breaking out at first which is inevitable with the start of any acne treatment

I've been using this stuff for about a month and a half so far and I've really seen some great results. I use zaclir face wash (benzoyl peroxide wash) and clindagel (clindamycin) in the morning and cetaphil wash with the tazorac at night. I'm also on solodyn which is an antibiotic and was prescribed yaz birth control by my gyno. The combination of all of these things has really made my skin great. The dry, peeling, red skin really sucks at first. Stick it out! It gets better and it's totally worth it. My dermatologist also recommended the magic mitt (a Jane Ireland product, can find it online or some stores). It's a very soft mitt you wear over your hand when you wash your face. It gives you a deeper clean that gets rid of more bacteria and really makes your skin smooth. This will help you with the peeling and to clean it all you have to do is wash it with soap and hang it up to dry Everyone should have one!
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April 13, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up acne on chest and face and back, glowy complexion, no side effects after first few weeks of dryness

Cons:

Dryness/redness at first

This has been awesome. I definitely recommend moisturizing first with an oil free lotion (I use Peter Thomas Roth oil free). I can't really believe how positive it's been. I used it every other night for the first few weeks, and only a pea sized amount like the packaging says. This stuff is intense, so I followed the rules and am v v happy.
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April 10, 2008

Pros:

none at all.

Cons:

unfortunately does not work for everyone. i wish i had not tried it because it left me with many many acne scars.

i realize that this medicine works for some people, but it was really HORRIBLE for me. my dermatologist gave this to me for mild-moderate acne. after the first couple of weeks, my skin broke out really badly, which i expected it would after reading reviews of it. then i waited another month, then another, then another, and as the time passed the acne just got worse. i really thought i'd see SOME improvement but there was none. i stopped using it and as soon as i did, my skin became a lot better, aside from huge amounts of red acne scars from all the zits tazorac gave me. maybe i was allergic or have super sensitive skin or something, but it was so awful that it made me not want to go out in public.
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April 10, 2008

Pros:

CLEARED UP MY ACNE
SKIN WAS HEALTHIER LOOKING

Cons:

SKIN FELT DRY AND A BIT BURNT

I have used tazorac on and off for about 2 years now. I tend to use it, notice great results with my acne and skin tone, then stop using it figuring that my acne has cleared up and my face looks good. A few months later, I usually notice that my skin is looking "dull" again and my face is breaking out, so I start using the tazaroc again, and the cycle continues. I started using taz again recently and think I will continue to use, as my skin does look alot better while using it
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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