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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4
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1
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July 10, 2007

Pros:

Doesn't smell, works at first.

Cons:

Expensive, loses effectiveness, makes your skin red.

This stuff was GREAT when I first started using it. I had horrible cystic acne. This stuff, along with sulfacet-R dramatically reduced my acne. It really addressed the "cystic" part of my acne. That was several years ago. Now, 5 years later I think my acne problems have changed in nature. I don't have cystic acne anymore, but I still get pimples, tons of blackheads, and some whiteheads. This stuff doesn't do anything for them. Bottom line- If you're battling severe, cystic acne, this stuff will help. Just don't expect it to give you a porcelain complexion.
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July 10, 2007

Pros:

It made my skin smooth and clear in the first 2 weeks of application.

Cons:

My skin had never been that dry before. I had red, itchy dry skin all over my face. My chin was really red and flaky and i stopped using the product after 9 weeks.

I would talk to your doctor about this product first. Do your own research and learn about other topical medications. I would ask your doctor to start you out on differin which is not as irritating and still just as effective. Your skin will still get dry when using differin but its not as severe. When using any of these products try not to pick your FACE. Your pimples will really get BIG.
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July 3, 2007

Pros:

None that I can discern (in my case, anyway)

Cons:

Itching, flaking, incredible dryness, redness, swelling, increased acne, increased sensitivity to UV rays, expensive

Tazorac was a complete nightmare for me. My derm instructed me to use 0.5% topical every night and I did - for months and months, 6 in total. My acne never improved and toward the end of my use only got worse (which is what prompted me to quit using it). Throughout this period my skin was so dry as to be almost more embarassing than my acne, red as if I had rosacea and itchy! Used a Cetaphil wash every night and morning as well as Cetaphil moisturizer w. 15 sunscreen in it. Moisturizer did almost nothing to help. Normally I have dry to normal skin, nothing a simple moisturizer can't fix. After Tazorac, I have oily red skin that is uneven in tone and texture. Sigh.
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July 3, 2007

Pros:

It helps to heal pimples faster.

Cons:

Can cause alot of redness, dryness, FLAKING for senitive skin.

Iv'e been using Taz for about 2 months (1%cream). It exfoliates so fast that I can literally peel off flakes of dry skin about the size of a pencil eraser from my face (although peeling is not good of course!). I've discovered applying a thin layer all over the face works best. It helps dry up zits and improve the overall texture of the skin because the outer layer is constantly being shed. However, I'd advise extra caution in regards to scrubbing/picking the face because it will be tender and perhaps scar while using Tazorac.
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May 31, 2007

Pros:

so far it has cleared most of my acne , still have a few all over, but using TAZORAC it heals pimples fast and it simply improves ur skin

Cons:

redness, dry skin spots especially around the mouth, some peeling

ive been using this only for 1 month and it has really improved my skin although i still have some pimples all over. basically if you give it time and are patient with it it will improve ur skin, not immedietly but it will. also i used proactiv and it made my skin worst used it for a month nothing happened only made my skin worst and i had to pay a lot for it.
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May 28, 2007

Pros:

Really does work. You just have to be patient because progress is slow. But all good things take time (LOTS of time).

Cons:

The initial breakout can be hell, just remember that it isn't in vain.

I've been on Tazorac (.1% cream), Solodyn (started with 90mg, but was upped to 135mg at the 3-month mark) and BenzaClin for almost four months now and I have to say that there's a large improvement. The sides of my face and my temples were AWFUL so as a result I have many red marks there, which will fade over time, but almost every part of my face is smooth now. I've had acne since about fourth grade and it got worse at a steady pace until the second sememster of my freshman year in high school and my face just exploded out of nowhere. I wore a ton of make-up and wouldn't even look at myself in the mirror without my "face" on. It looked like I got beat with the ugly stick. And now, almost four months into treatment, I go out in public with no skin make-up on (I threw it all out). Yes, it was mineral make-up too, but my skin is ULTRAsensitive and can't deal with anything on it, so I just decided I was going to face the world with hope. Others in the same boat should too
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May 22, 2007

Pros:

made my face much less red, im not breaking out as much as i used to

Cons:

takes a LONG time to work

ive been using tazorac for what will be 11 weeks in two days..i still break out a lot but the pimples heal a lot quicker than usual. my face is definitely a lott less red though. im really hoping that it continues to work because my face has really clogged pores. :(
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May 21, 2007

Pros:

Tazorac is such a blessing in my life. I started it at the end of January and my skin is totally healing. I am writing to give encouragement to anyone just starting it - you must be patient and use a good moisturizer.

Cons:

It can really dry out your skin and make it a lot worse before it gets better, but it's so worth it. Be sweet and tender to your face. And use a great moisturizer. I love Egyptian Magic for dry spots and Toleriane by La Roche-Posay for moisturizing.

See the forest through the trees...meaning, know that any dryness or breakouts at the beginning will pass and is paving the way to clear skin. It works, and skin just keeps getting clearer and looking more and more lovely. The key is MOISTURIZER! and for any women out there, I have been working with a hormonal health doctor (Alyssa Vitti with Laughing Sage Wellness in NYC) and she had me start taking Saw Palmetto gel caps. this is typically an herb for men, but some women can't breakdown testosterone (which we also have) efficiently and thus, get acne. These gel caps are just HUGE in helping my skin to be healthy and clear. As well as for helping with mood swings, which I just don't get much of anymore. Try it - I noticed improvement within a week. This plus Tazorac and a few other lifestyle changes have really been very good for the health of my skin.
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May 6, 2007

Pros:

beautiful clear skin. Free of the tiny oil bumps covering my face. Gets rid of my monthly pimples within days. Has created a smooth complexion......no more bumpiness

Cons:

Can cause me surface dryness around my mouth, but my skin is still oily. But no wrinkles and I'm 34yrs.

Love it love it love it. I'm afraid to stop using it. I can't. Once I didn't use it for 3wks. and my skin reverted back to its old ways.
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May 6, 2007
I've been on taz cream and and tetracycline. Summer of 7th (going into 8th) when I returned to 8th grade I was clear and happy. I've also been using proactive and that didn't do anything. middle of 8th grade my mom didn't want me doing all this stuff to my face. stopped the pills. middle of year broke out, so after the horrible burned face grossness end of the year and I cleared up again?! half way thru summer I had the worst breakout. Developed cysts and nodules. so the docter prescribed me minocycline 50 mg and tazorac. a month into it I came back for a check up and it looked so bad she told me to go to a derm for accutane and gave me erytho. Didn't completely clear me up derm gave me tretinoin .25 4 months uglyness. I was like *beep* it and just went bak on taz. and got tetra 500mg. 3 months into it my face has less break outs but my forehead is like 4 shades reder than my cheeks. i have like 12 bumps im hoping befor school year ends I can be clear for once
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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.
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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.

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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