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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
July 21, 2007
Cons:
I had a flare up of three small cysts on my chin at three weeks, which I attributed to the "sloughing phase". I also have had an increase in whiteheads on my forehead and blackheads on my nose. However, this appears to be clearing & I'm optimistic
I had been on Retin A Micro 0.1% for over a year and was having what I felt were awesome results. When I had to change dermatologists, the new doc suggested I try Tazorac (0.05%). I was very hesitant at first, but after reading up on it, I decided to give it a try. I've used it for two months with the following nightly routine, (one which I'd worked out w Retin A): wash w cetaphil (original), moisturize lightly with cetalphil lotion, & then thinly apply tazorac 0.05 30 minutes later. In the morning I gently exfoliate w St. Ives Apricot Scrub for sensitive skin. I use SPF 15 cetaphil in the mornings along w benzaclin on my forehead every 2nd or 3rd day. It's too soon to speak about the effectiveness in my case. But this stuff seems very tolerable at 0.05%. I say go for it and be patient. And do apply with caution. I wouldn't recommend lathering it on, as with Retin A, that routine seems to just increase side effects without impacting the results. And
May 13, 2007
Pros:
Seems to have prevented a few pimples.
Cons:
I have been using tazorac for about 3 months now, i experienced the initial dryness, burning, etc. But my acne is still present, while it has gotten a little bit better I still end up with random whiteheads on my cheeks, chin and forehead.
I'm wondering, does anyone know if I should use it on skin that does not currenlty have acne on it? Will it prevent breakouts or only cause me to dry out and get new breakouts? I HATE ACNE!
April 19, 2007
Pros:
The .05% Cream formulation is very tolerable and I love the way this has made my face look very clear and my skin smooth and bright. I have used Differen (not so good), Retin-A Micro (very good) and Tazorac is the best.
Cons:
Some peeling but I use a daily scrub made out of Calcium Carbamide, which is very gentle. It works great.
My skin is very clear and rejuvenated. Start with the lowest dose and move to the highest if you want. I've been very lucky to respond to the lower .05% cream. Try the cream as it really helps to place this on easily at night. I have oily skin and this has not been a problem. Also, I wear an SPF 55 sunscreen daily.
April 18, 2007
Pros:
Seems to have gotten rid of the pimples i had. Also i used 0.1% which is way to strong for my face. But i applied it on my back and it worked better. No flakes.
Cons:
Dried out skin!!
I think that your skin needs to get used to it. Do not apply too much. I only used it for 2 days and my skin has been flaky for 4 days. I am peeling like a snake. So i suggest u apply very very small quantities and use it wisely. I think that it did make my skin smoother...but I stopped using it since I hate when my skin peels.
March 15, 2007
Pros:
Cleared all my acne and now clearly the scars.
Cons:
The first week I was scared of the soarness, burning, more acne and lots of white heads. After only 2 months of use it's great.
This product is great, I had really bad acne, I was so embarassed but now I'm so happy, my skin never looked better. I'm confident with my new clear skin and I can't wait to go foundation free this summer. You have to use it every night to get the results.
January 12, 2007
Pros:
It works. Period. It just takes a while for the medicine to work through the skin. I've been using it for over 2 months, stopped for 2 weeks (cause I ran out) and have just started it again.
Cons:
It makes my face red when I first put it on but the redness does go away. Also makes my face oily, which is rare because everybody complains of dryness.
I've used this product relunctantly after my first derm. apppointment, this was my last resort before going on Accutane. To my amazement my skin is actually clearing up. I have no pimples but the scars from past zits are still present. The doctor said they would fade though so I'm glad about that. Was on Minocyclin with the Taz but only used it every now and than. (I don't like taking pills, which turned out to be a good thing because my doctor thought that I would flare up after I stopped takin the antibiotics) I had the worse case of acne I had ever seen, every part of my face had a pimple. I didn't even want to walk outside. Now my face is clearing up and I'm feeling more and more confident everyday. The thing about acne that you have to be aware of is IRRITATION! Do not pick, do not touch, do not even think about your acne, don't eat food that you know will flare it up, don't wash your face too much, don't try "home remedies" like toothpaste, just be gentle and patient!
October 19, 2006
Pros:
I'm 48 and have struggled with acne since I was a teenager. I've tried just about everything. I think Tazorac combined with Benzoclin is as good as it gets with just topical treatment.
Cons:
Not cehap, but worth it
The way to go if you don't want to take oral antibiotics or hormones.
May 15, 2013
Pros:
the tube will last a long time
Cons:
expensive
been 4 weeks and havent yet seen any amazing results
I am currently on my 4th week (middle of 4th week) of my Taz (.1 cream) journey. Im not quite sure what I think of the medication just yet. I have rated it 3 stars and have indicated that I recommend it, but simply because I want to remain hopeful. I dont believe I have had a particularly large increase in acne, but I dont think Im seeing any major improvement either. I dont think I've gone through the purging period either. I've read that some people have experienced the purging period around the 5th-6th week (and sometimes later), so Im a little scared of what the next couple of weeks may bring. I am committed to stick with this product for the 12 weeks given that many posts Ive read encourage you to stick with it. I have used retin-A in the past and perhaps thats the reason that my skin has not reacted as badly (thus far) to this medication as other posts Ive read. I have not experienced heavy itchiness, redness, flakiness and Im wondering whether that's due to my skin's prior experience with retin-A. I am hoping that by week 6 I can see something I can rave about. My goal is to be able to walk out of my house sans makeup and feel totally comfortable doing so.
April 22, 2016
I actually had a lot of improvement until this week. I don't know if it's stress from finals or what but I am at that 5th week period and my skin is getting a lot worse. I am starting back on the antibiotics to hopefully get the swelling down. I'm glad I'm not the only one that has seen this "purging" happen around the 5th-6th week...I just gotta tough it out
May 5, 2013
Pros:
none what so ever
Cons:
doesn't work
cause large acne cysts
drys out skin
DONT USE THIS! omg worse product ever invented i normally used epiduo but that plus summer had my skin to oily so my derma prescribe this with my insurance cost about 70 dollars it did dry out my skin, did not help with acne, it actually caused large acne cysts on my face the one was under my eye and actually swelled my eye shut. I used for about 8 months no sign of improvement the entire time dont think i went one day without multiple pimples. ugh so disappointed
December 10, 2012
Pros:
clears skin (for a long while)
Cons:
have to stay on it to get results
my acne came back for no reason after years
I had mod to severe cystic acne and this cleared me completely and left me clear for 5 1/2 years. I had beautiful skin, I mean perfect with nothing but some microscopic blackheads no one but me could see. Then, overnight literally I got the worst acne I have ever had in my life. Definitely very severe. Not sure if this made my acne stronger while it was working or what. On accutane now at age 29....
Pros:
My new derm swears by Tazorac, too. I have less side effects (peeling & redness mainly) with 0.05% Tazorac than Retin A Micro 0.1%. I'm fair and sensitive.