Tazarotene
Results
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.

 [more]
3.4
822
Read All About Tazarotene
Compare To Other Treatments
5
20.2%
4
33.6%
3
24.2%
2
13.5%
1
8.5%

Used Tazarotene? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
August 11, 2012

Pros:

pimples healed faster

Cons:

made me feel oily, didnt stop me from breaking out, expensive

this product did not help me, if anything it made me break out even more. but the breakouts healed fast.. and then there would be another breakout.
This Was Helpful

Report
August 11, 2012

Pros:

stopped my acne from getting inflamed

Cons:

made me feel oily, irritated my skin and made it peeling and red. really expensive

it made my pimples kinda scab over, but it didnt prevent new ones. didnt work for me.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 20, 2012

Pros:

-loosens blackheads

Cons:

-does not actually clear blackheads or acne, you must extract the blackheads with pore strips, comedone extractors, or facials
-does not keep pores clear without the aid of another product or facial, etc.

I've had acne since I was 12. I'm now 27 and for the last year have experienced hormonal breakouts and irritated, inflamed skin, almost rosacea-like with clogged pores(blackheads). After using this product at night combined with Aczone in the morning, my skin has improved significantly. I just saw my dermatologist for a 10 week followup and she said I should consider getting extractions/facials. My face looks 75% clearer. I can scratch my skin lightly with my fingernail and the blackheads come out.
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 6, 2012

Pros:

Clears acne when combined w/ anti-inflammatory (i.e. antibiotic - topical or pill, or products like Aczone)

Cons:

Expensive
Potent - hence you must be very careful applying (tiny amount for whole face)
Doesn't do much for oilyness or blackheads
Sun sensitivity
Dryness, so moisturize (about 30 mins after applying) at night

Look, I've been wanting to write a review for this product for a while. I've been suffering from moderate acne for about 6 years (I'm 22) and have been through the ups and downs of MANY different products. I've researched extensively and I've seen 6 different dermatologists from 4 different facilities over the last 6 years. If you're a young person with moderate acne/oily skin, 90% of you should listen to me and do this: For starters, use Cetaphil Daily Face Wash 2x a day. Mornings - use either an antibiotic (clindamycin - topical worked great for me for 1 year) or Aczone 30 mins after washing your face. Evening - Tazorac .1% gel (pea sized amount) 30 mins after shower. Wait another 30 mins and apply moisturizer as needed (meaning chin, around mouth, near nose, maybe even upper cheeks), but don't apply to areas that are naturally greasy. Other useful and true tips: Avoid greasy foods, excessive sweets, and cheese. Change your pillow cases 2x a week (minimum). After sweating (working out, sun bathing, etc) shower ASAP. Most importantly, if you live in a sunny region, ENJOY THE SUN. So many derms advise against sun tanning because of skin damage; but trust me, if you have oily skin, the risk of burning, wrinkles, or even permanent scarring is minimal to nonexistent. Derms hate the sun - Why? Because it provides Vit. D, drys the skin, and blends blemishes for FREE!....They can't compete with that. The risks associated with drugs are FAR WORSE than skin damage from the sun. Case and point: Took minocycline and doxycyline on different occasions - both resulted in blue teeth/nails, migrains, and stomach pain. And we all know the numerous detrimental side effects of Isotretinoin/Accutane..... Eat healthy, keep your face clean, try topical products only (less systemic absorbtion of rx drugs), change pillow cases often (if you have oily skin), and enjoy the sun. Don't let derms fool you into believing th
This Was Helpful

Report
June 28, 2012

Pros:

Clears acne
Smooths face
Reduces redness from scars

Cons:

Initial breakout
Takes a long time to see improvement
Peeling & itchiness if not used correctly

THIS STUFF WORKS. At first it's hell and seems as though it's not working but once you get to around 8 or 9 weeks everything will be worth it. Please continue to use this even after the initial breakout which occurs within the first 3 to 4 weeks. I've been using this for 13 weeks (12 weeks is the estimated amount of time for your face to be cleared) and my face went from cystic craziness to smooth and clear. I only get one or two pimples usually around my menstrual cycle. I still have red marks and ice pick scars but they are becoming less noticeable. My confidence is beginning to grow again, something I thought would never happen to me. I'm even getting noticed by guys again! Trust me when I say this works. Goodluck everyone.
This Was Helpful

21 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 24, 2012

Pros:

Mostly free of milia, whiteheads, and blackheads after 4 months
Skin renews itself quickly

Cons:

Took 4 months to work
Skin was horrible during the IB period (never had skin as bad as it was in my whole life)
Had to play with different products to finally get results

I had light acne since high school, and always dreamed of totally clear skin. At the age of 34, I finally decided to try Taz for my acne and hyperpigmentation, after having tried minocycline, clindamycin lotion, benzoyl peroxide, hydroquinone and salicylic acid products. I learned that adjunctive products (cleansers and lotions/creams) make a big difference in how my skin reacts to Taz. I finally found a regimen that works for me after 3 months of trial and error. After washing my face, I apply clinda lotion and benzoyl peroxide lotion, then I use First Aid cream mixed in a 1:1 ratio with the Taz at night. I realized it made a huge difference once I started using a really moisturizing cream (not lotion, for my super oily skin). Otherwise my skin got really irritated from using Taz, and would start peeling off in sheets (really painful) or would not really have an effect- other than make my skin really oily. This was even after I waited the 30 minutes to apply it, or would use every 2-3 days. I always use lotion with sunscreen during the day. I also starting taking minocycline b/c the IB was so bad, I didn't even want to leave the house, but had to go to work. I had the worst acne of my life- so many whiteheads (hundreds!!) over parts of my face I never get acne like my forehead, jawline and chin. Finally, my face has a nice glow to it. I still wear make up mostly for the areas of hyperpigmentation, which have gotten lighter, but I'm still pretty self-conscious. Now my skin peels a little bit every day or 2, but not the the degree where other people can notice. I use a light scrub to help exfoliate every few days. I'm mostly clear now, but still have a few whiteheads and blackheads here and there, esp during that time of the month. The pimples seem closer to the skin surface, and tend to heal quickly. I just wanted to share my experience b/c reading about how other peoples dealt with Taz really helped me get through the hard times. I hope this hel
This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 19, 2012

Pros:

Good for oily skin
Smooth skin when not purging

Cons:

Redness
Severe Breakouts

This was the wrong medicine for me. I've battled acne from the age of 13. I'm now 55 and my derm thought this would help my breakouts. I began breaking out during week 5 and stayed with it because everything thing I read said it would get worse and to give it a good twelve weeks. After the twelveth week my face was still broke out and the pimples were inflamed and red. So much so that I hadn't experienced that kind of breakout in years. I went back to my derm and she told me to stop. I gave this a good try and believe me it was tough cause I so wanted it to work for me. Word of advice, if this does not work after twelve weeks please go back to your derm. So sadly disappointed!
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 7, 2012

Pros:

Makes your skin renew itself SUPER quickly
Tightens your pores

Cons:

Caused many whiteheads, which I NEVER have
Made my skin super oily
Broke me out like crazy!!

I kept using this product for like 4 months. When I started using it, my skin was getting worse but I just thought that it was "purging", like my dermatologist had said it would. I was getting a lot of inflamed pimples and whiteheads, which I usually never get. I kept at it, but after 4 months, it couldn't be that my skin was purging. Maybe a month, maybe 2, but not 4!!!!!!! As soon as I stopped using it, my skin got SO much better. Within 3 days, the whiteheads were gone and the red pimples were reducing in size and were less angry. Within a month, my skin was back to normal, which for me means maybe 2-3 active lesions on the chin/jawline. During the Tazorac nightmare, I had like 30 and all over my face!! Try it if your dermatologist thinks it can help, but stop using it after 2 months if your skin doesn't get better!
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 4, 2012

Pros:

Dramatically clears up your whole face

Cons:

purging period
redness
skin tightness
dryness
face becomes painful for a whille

I started using this product when I was 15 years old, I am now 24 and still use it every night. This is the only rx that has worked for me. I originally had horrible severe breakouts with very extreme hyperpigmentation all over my face. When I started using this rx I can remember my skin being very red, irritated and dry. After about 3-4 months I realized 90% of my acne and hyperpigmentation was gone. After 9 years of using it I still have 100% flawless skin. People have complimented my skin saying it's so clear and that it has a healthy glow to it. I would recommend that you stick with the medication for up to 4-5 months before giving up. The medication is also used for wrinkles so its a 2 in one!
This Was Helpful

11 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 18, 2012

Pros:

cleared my acne
free samples from derm

Cons:

leaves skin oily
takes two months to start clearing
doesn't remove blackheads or oil
doesn't minimize pores
pricey

I am 21 years old.most of us can say we have all tried everything! this was the first product to clear my face out of 8 years suffering from acne.This is the clearest my face has been since I've started having acne. I have been using tazorac for about 8 months now. The only problem is I believe my skin is becoming immune to it which is making me nervous. I never want to go back to my old skin and I read another review saying it works for 6 months so now i am worried. My skin looks good now but it did not help minimize my huge pores or help with my excess oil issue. The tazorac cleared my back, chest and bum though, which made me more than happy. TRY THIS! I am not sure if I have become immune to it or if I am just stressed from school. This product made me the happiest I've been in a long time. Even if it only clears us for 6 months or so, hey, that's 6 months of clear skin!!!!!! I've been so happy!!
This Was Helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 6 7 8 9 10 … 57
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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