Tazarotene
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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...

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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5
20.2%
4
33.6%
3
24.1%
2
13.5%
1
8.5%

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October 26, 2009

Pros:

Effective

Cons:

Side Effects

I have been on Tazorac for about a year now. The first 2 or 3 months were brutal ... Not a pimple in site, but my skin was red, peeling, and the constant burning brought me to tears. Sound familiar? To combat the dryness my doctor prescribed Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Lotion (1%). Within a week the redness, dryness, and peeling were gone. I use the Clindamycin every morning and in the evening I use the Clindamycin, wait 15 minutes, and apply the Tazorac. My skin is finally flawless.
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October 26, 2009

Pros:

Clears skin, smoother skin, reduces oiliness, helps prevent milia

Cons:

itchiness when on skin (severe at first), burning sensation, increased sun sensitivity, mild peeling, initial breakout

I am 22 years old and developed mild acne, oily skin, and milia about 3 years ago. I have been on Tazorac for 7 weeks and all side effects are gone. My skin is almost completely clear and no new milia have formed. My skin is now less oily. It is also supposed to prevent fine lines which is fantastic. This treatment is excellent and I plan to use Tazorac for the rest of my life. It is important to keep using and to get through the initial breakout (for me it was at its worst weeks 3-5 (my mild acne became moderate and I broke out worse than I ever had) but kept using the product and am so glad I did. How I use it: Wash in the PM with cetaphil cleansing bar for dry skin. Apply cetaphil moisturizing cream. Let it dry for 30 min and apply a pea sized amount to areas of my face that I are prone to blemishes. In the AM, exfoliate with St. Ives apricot scrub, wash with cetaphil, and use bare escentuals mineral moisturizer. My dr. said to use bare escentuals mineral make up to keep skin
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October 23, 2009

Pros:

Clears Skin completely. Baby skin smooth

Cons:

peeling redness.If you stop using it acne returns after a period of time.

I have always had cystic acne or the ones that are red with a little white head. I used tazorac .1% and it cleared my skin. My skin was flawless. I stopped using it and I broke out again. I am currently on the .5% and it has removed the red acne vulgaris (red painful pimples) in a week. I broke out with white heads in my T-zone. Its only my 6th week and I know that it takes it time. It worked great before so I'm hoping it will work again. I loved this cream its amazing. Im crossing my fingers!! I didn't moisturize before on the .1% and my skin was fine I do have sensitive skin but not that sensitive. I don't really moisturize now with the .5% and I peel slightly.
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October 6, 2009

Pros:

It clears the skin and prevents acne. it also fades post-inflammatory marks

Cons:

it dries the skin

The product works well. It can dry the skin but you can put on moisturizer before applying the cream.
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October 3, 2009

Pros:

Strongest med for acne

Cons:

Irritates your skin if you use to much, dry, red, flakes

I started using this product as directed and after about 2 months, my skin completely cleared up. I didn't change anything and then 3 months later, I started breaking out again. As irritating as my skin gets when using it, and now planning on becoming pregnant, I'm going to stop and try Skin ID. I've already tried ProActive and the non-name brands like ProActive with no help, so now onto something else.
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October 2, 2009

Pros:

Gets rid of 75% of my acne incredibly fast. It makes my skin soft and smooth.

Cons:

My entire face where it was applied peels every 3 or 4 days and it peels BAD. I look like a snake that's molting and everyone always asks me what's wrong with my face. It just dries out my face.

I've been using Tazorac since February so it's been a while, but only recently does my face peel like crazy. I don't use a moisturizer because I'm not sure which moisturizer to buy. I don't want to get one that isn't right and will cause more acne.
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September 28, 2009

Pros:

CLEARS THE SKIN, QUICK TO APPLY!

Cons:

FIRST FEW WEEKS ARE HELLL!!!!!!! ITCHING, PEELING, REDNESS, BUMPS Barrage, AND IT MADE ME LIGHTER!(i dont kno if its good or bad lol)

JUst get it , and if u have used everything in the world except for this....jus stick wit this till the end.....u'll find results soon..
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September 19, 2009

Pros:

Makes skin feel smooth. Clears blemishes fast

Cons:

Little Drying

If you are breaking out in places that you never break out in then your applying to your whole face. Only apply to areas that you have acne not clear areas.
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September 15, 2009

Pros:

I had horrible adult acne along my jawline, forehead, chin, and around my mouth. This cleared it up within 5 weeks!

Cons:

Broke out even worse the first few weeks of using the product.

The only product I have found in the last two years that has worked, including birth control pills. Would highly recommend this. I feel confident again.
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September 5, 2009

Pros:

Purged out all of my pores; My skin stopped looking and getting so oily through the day; Eventually cleared up a lot of the acne that had purged

Cons:

Eight week initial breakout, worst breakout of my life; Face got extremely red; Face peeled all the time; Awful Flaking; Skin overly dry ; No waxing; Emotional Impact

Anyone whose used this product for less than the recommended three months/twelve weeks shouldn't be reviewing it. My skin initially, in the first two weeks, looked decent, wasn't oily anymore, still had stubborn mild/moderate acne. By week three I was in total despair - my skin was red, flaky, and I got the worst breakout of my life. It lasted from weeks three to eleven, because I was determined to give the Tazorac/Duac/Minocycline trio a fair shot, but emotionally, I was a wreck. By week ten, it began to heal. I wasn't really purging anymore, and my redness was fading. Now, at week twelve, my redness has mostly faded, my skin is still incredibly dry and flaky, and I'm more or less back where I started: mild/moderate acne. But I'm not really getting any new acne, so I'm going to give Tazorac a little bit longer to work its magic. Overall, I'd say it's worth a shot, but not if you can't handle an overly long purging period. Not for people with sensitive skin. Moisturize a ton.
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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