Topical Retinoid
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Produces similar results to the two other topical retinoids, tretinoin and adapalene, which means only partial clearing, and comes with far more sensitivity and side effects when you first start using it. It probably won’t be a total game changer and don’t be surprised if it’s too much for your skin to take.
Topical Retinoid
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Tazarotene? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
October 25, 2008
Cons:
very drying
i used this along w/antibiotics for 4 months leading up to my wedding. after the initial HORRIBLE break out the cysts and white heads on my chin and upper lip never got better and there was no other product that i used that worked well enough w/taz to help those break outs. i kept getting compliments on my skin but i didn't understand why w/still so many zits. only after i stopped using it did i realize that, apart from chin/lip area, my skin really did look good, smooth and virtually no pores. i stopped using it in anticipation of becoming pregnant and i probably wouldn't use it again because it was a painful process using it despite what it did do, it didn't do enough to make it worth it for me to try again. ins. covered cost
October 24, 2008
Pros:
seems to clear breakouts faster than over the counter things. Still waiting for better results.
Cons:
Extreme dryness and peeling. Red face (and im already red so this is bad haha). Worse breakouts in temple area.
Everyone says it gets worse before it gets better, and my derm says to keep with it, so thats what im doing. Although there are some cons, unlike OTC stuff it seems to be doing SOMETHING which i cant say for anything else ive used.
October 23, 2008
Pros:
Reduced the number of acne breakouts-smoother skin.
Cons:
The acne spots I have now, while fewer, are worse and I resemble a teenage boy...not the "cool" teenage boy but the A.V. dork who wears a retainer and has social problems.
I've only been on this for about 2 weeks. My skin is red (a friend asked me if I went tanning) and is peeling all over.
I'm caking on the the lotion to help with that, and going to try to stick with it for at least 12 weeks like it says.
I'm also on Bactrim and wash my face with Cetaphil anti-bacterial soap.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will work. Please work.
I don't want to look like I'm going through puberty at 24.
October 21, 2008
Pros:
tazorac has reduced the amount of whiteheads (closed comedones) that usually cover my entire forehead. it's also seemed to improve the overall texture of my skin and reduced the discoloration/scarring on the sides of my face.
Cons:
peeling, flaking, redness/sunburned-feeling skin (especially around my nose and mouth).
i've been on tazorac for about 4 weeks, and i'm still waiting to see more dramatic results.
always use with a mosturizer! i apply cerave before i apply the taz, but i'm sure there are other good, non-comedogenic mosturizers (like cetaphil). one important thing i've noticed is that there is a significant difference between the cream and the gel forms of taz. i was prescribed the .05% gel, but was given samples of the .1% cream to use until i filled my prescription. although the cream form i have has a higher percentage of the tazorotene, it doesn't irritate my skin as much as the gel does. i definitley have less peeling when using the cream. ultimately, i plan to stay on taz for a while, since it apparently takes some time to see the results. i'm hoping this will really work since i've tried basically everything! all OTCs, retin a micro, differin, antibiotics/clindamycin, murad, proactiv... everything short of accutane. i've been consistently breaking out since i was 12, and i'm now 23! maybe i'll write an update in a month and let y'all know if it real
October 20, 2008
Pros:
so far not too many, but from all of the other comments it seems like i should stick with it.
Cons:
MAJOR initial breakout. my acne is twice as bad as before i started using it. I'm almost on the 4th week.
My skin has become a lot worse, and i'm more embarrassed than normal to go out. I haven't had as much of a problem with dryness as everyone else, i've only been slightly dry. But i'm really hoping this miserable initial breakout will end soon!
October 8, 2008
Pros:
havent found any
Cons:
horrible burning, extremely dry, skins peels A LOT. Trying moisturizer but it doesnt seem to do ANYTHING
ive had horrible acne for years and i already felt like a nobody. this stuff is making me feel worse. i desperatley need for this stuff to work but i dont know how long i can keep this up. im not sure if i would recommend this i need more time to know for sure so until then its a no.
October 6, 2008
Pros:
Over long term use (like a few months up to a year or more) taz really make your face more even-toned. make acne less frequent, and scars start to fade!!
Cons:
Burning after application, slight oilyness, yet at the same time your skin is dry and peely.. a strange state to deal with...
If you aren't much of a princess, and you can wait a few months while it makes your face look like crap, you will benefit immensely. DONT use makeup with taz, it will just make the situation worse!! Ive talked to so many girls who feel ugly while using taz, so they load on the foundation, only to make their skin look cakey, and then they quit possibly the best thing that happened to their face! >__< so PLEASE stick with this product!! A good tip is to not focus so much on your skin while using it. Cause then all you'll want to do is go and put more on, or see if its done anything yet! Just wait it out! (and use a moisturizer with no salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide)
September 12, 2008
Pros:
not sure yet ...
Cons:
oily
So my derm prescribed tazorac to me becase my skin was so oily. I don't know if I have damaged my skin so much but when I put tazorac on it just makes it more oily. I am not even peeling or burning - just oily and breaking out more in whiteheads. I told my derm and she looked really confused as it is supposed to dry your skin out. I am using the 0.1% gel (the strongest) so I'm not sure what's going on! Did anyone experience oiliness and then clearing up? I don't know how it can clear my skin up if it's making it more oily.
September 4, 2008
Pros:
Overall works really well. When I first used it I broke out more, but it eventually cleared up.
Cons:
It's very costly, and I am still not completely clear skin
If you can afford it, get it.
September 2, 2008
Pros:
It lessens big zits relatively fast, but not overall acne
Cons:
Peels skin while also leaving it oily. It does not unclog pores and isn't any help when it comes to scars
I've been using this topical for almost 8 years (in gel and cream forms), and it's never fully delivered its clear skin promise (although numerous derms told me it would). It's good at staving off all-over acne, but as for existing breakouts, it's only so so. Apparently my skin does not work well with retanoids.
Pros:
shrinks pores