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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33.6%
3
24.1%
2
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1
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August 28, 2008

Pros:

zero so far.. i've been on it for 5 and a half weeks..

Cons:

takes a very long time to see results. makes skin oily ( never experienced the dryness) initial breakout is disgusting, pimples get worse.

i tired tazorac upon recommendation of my dermatologist. she thought it would clear up all my blocked up pores and closed comedones ( whiteheads.) i had a few pimples, but nothing severe. i used to never wear makeup during the day, just at night if i was going out with friends. now, i cannot leave the house without makeup because of the horrible breakouts tazorac has causes. also, it makes me skin so greasy when wearing makeup. it has made my existing pimples huge from inflammation and cyst like. ive been using it for 5 and a half weeks and have seen minimal results. the damage it does is not worth the results. my self esteem has lowered immensely, as has my social life.
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July 20, 2008

Pros:

No Pro's yet, but I've only been at it for two weeks

Cons:

My face feels / looks like an oil slick. I feel dirty and grimy and shiny and in spite of it all, I am in it to win it.

I just wasn't prepared for the constants oiliness I am experiencing with Tazarotene. I didn't have many pimples, my main reason for using the product is to help diminish fine lines and wrinkling. But after using this product - I am left wondering how my skin can manage to be both severely oily and severely dry and flaky at the same time. How does that happen? I wish my Dermatologist had been more forthcoming regarding the use or Retin-A type products. I certanly would have chosen another route.
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July 20, 2008

Pros:

helped my acne and scars for the first year, but i now think it could possibly be causing new scars.

Cons:

Be extremely careful with the amount of tazorac applied-keep it down to a pea-size! The drying is excessive. I almost think that the scars are better than the redness/flakiness i now have. Beware of traveling to dry places-tazorac DOES NOT like it!!!

Ive been on tazorac for about a year and a half, and it seemed to work well up until this point. I just went on vacation to Yellowstone, and the dry air there in combination with the sun and tazorac wreaked havoc on my skin! I now have cracked skin that will simply not go away. Its been this way for over a week now. I am afraid that when the skin peels off, it will create new red scars! Has anyone else experienced this? i wonder if i maybe used too much without really noticing...I would recommend a less powerful form of retin-a that will not cause so much damage. I cant even tell where my skin is underneath all of the flakes! Moisturizers have not helped either! I am getting laser done next week and am discontinuing tazorac use FOR GOOD!
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July 15, 2008

Pros:

dries oily skin up

Cons:

copmletely dried skin TOO MUCH, eventually leading to a ovrcompensatng production of sebum and oilier skin, which in turn led to more break outs. also caused itchy, red, flakiness, especiall yon my back and chest

just use a retin-a micro or something like that. also, if you do decide to get this, don't put this on your back or chest as my new derm told me this is more irratating and less effective
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July 11, 2008

Pros:

none that I know of

Cons:

made face oilier which caused break outs

Originally, I was using Retina Micro...that was working really well, but my dermatologist still noticed my skin was really oily, so she said start using Tazorac, it will take away all of the oil and dry your skin up...she also mentioned to make sure my face was COMPLETELY dry before I put it on because if not it would become so dry it irritated my skin. I followed directions and my face has been oily still after having it for the past month...even oilier than it was on Retina Micro. Which means I break out more now. I even tried making sure my face wasn't water free and it was still oily!! :( I will be going back to my doctor before school's start I suppose!
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July 11, 2008

Pros:

none

Cons:

makes my face very red, oily, and irritated.

It hasn't done a thing, not worse, not better.
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June 28, 2008

Pros:

None for me

Cons:

Extreme redness, peeling, irritation, severe acne breakout

After reading about other people's success with Tazorac, I've decided I may have had a bad reaction. My face turned bright red- I mean RED and stayed that way- very embarrassing. Big cystic acne developed. My face peeled constantly- so much so that I looked worse with makeup. My face was dry and flaky but seemed to produce more oil. I tried it for several months before switching to Differin. Differin worked perfect for me.
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March 13, 2008

Pros:

none

Cons:

extreme reddness, dry skin

I've heard great things about tazorac. Even my dermatologist urged me to try it twice. But, my skin is very fair and sensitive. As a result my whole face turned bright red. The product sheds the outer layer of your skin, and my face looked raw. it looked like i was attacked but a pumice stone on my face. Do not rec for fair, sensitive skin.
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March 10, 2008

Pros:

none for me

Cons:

made my acne way worse, made my skin really dry and flaky

I had mild-moderate acne, mostly on my forehead and chin, I tried taz 0.5% cream to clear up my skin and even the tone. After the first couple days I thought it was working but then my skin started to break out really badly all over esp. on my cheeks and the area around my mouth became really dry and flaky. Id read that itll get worse before it gets better so I stuck it out for 8 weeks but it never got better. My skin looks way better without taz than it did with it.
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February 10, 2008

Pros:

gets rid of the blackheads

Cons:

your skin BURNS and PEELS like CURAZZYYY

Ive been using this product over a month now and it seems like my scars gone a bit but i still get the burnin sensation whenever i use it.. and it makes your skin look cherry red... But it definitely works!
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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