Tazorotene
5
I've had acne since I as 10. I am now 32 years old and I finally decided to see a dermatologist. (I went when I was 10 and used Retin A for a few years which made my face peel all the time). Eventually I stopped going to the dermatologist and started trying OTC treatments. All of which failed. ProActiv worked the best but still left me with bad breakouts.
The Dr told me that I have adult acne and recommended I try Tazorac with Minocyclin to lessen the initial break out period. I was worried b/c everyone was saying that their faces were peeling and red. I went through that with Retin-A when I was younger and wasn't looking forward to it. I decided to give Tazorac a shot anyway. I would like to note that I have very oily skin. I use those oil blotting sheets on a daily basis. I also tend to get those zits that swell up under the skin for a few days (about the size of a nickel) and then display a nice ugly, pussed filled white head for everyone to gauk at. They seem to take weeks to go away. I get the small red bumpy zits too.
I'm using the 0.05% Tazorac cream. I've been using it for 3 months now.
Here's what I do:
I stopped using everything else and only use what the Dr told me to use. I took the Minocyclin twice a day as prescribed, washed my face with Cetaphil cleanser (Dr recommended) once in the morning and once at night. After washing my face at night I apply CeraVe moisturizer (Dr recommended) and let it soak in for about an hour. Then I apply the Tazorac. I only use a small amount, about the size of a chocolate chip or pea for my entire face. I put a dot on my forehead, chin, nose and both cheeks, then spread it over my whole face. It seems to spread much more smoothly if you wait an hour after moisturizing and it really only takes a small amount. It makes my face really greasy and I wait about 30 minutes before going to bed so it doesn't end up on the pillowcase.
I did not experience the initial break out/purging that some people have had. The Minocyclin was suppose to help lessen that and it did. I took that for 2 months. My face started clearing up within a week of starting the Tazorac. I didn't have any peeling at all. I did notice my lips were dry even though I wasn't applying the Tazorac to them. Probably caused by the Minocyclin. I had a little bit of itching and tingling the first few times I applied the Tazorac but that was it. Sometimes when I wash my face with the Cetaphil cleanser it burns a little where my face is dry but nothing unbearable. I make sure to wear sunscreen everytime I'm out in the sun and to reapply often since the medicine makes you more sensitve to sunlight. I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock, SPF55. That sometimes burns when I sweat or rub my face, but sunscreen has always done that to me.
Overall, I am really happy with my results. My skin looks better than it has in almost 20 years. It has not only reduced the acne but given my face a nice healthy glow. My skin is very smooth to the touch and my boyfriend says I look younger, which is always a bonus. I still have a pimple here and there, I noticed a few once I stopped the Minocyclin, mainly around my mouth and chin. I went back for my 3 month check up last week and she decided to add Duac to my regimen to clear up the remaining acne. We'll see how that works out. As for Tazorac, I am very pleased with the results.
I just wish I would have found this stuff years ago! Don't put off going to the dermatologist like I did. I didn't think there was anything out there that would help and I lived with acne for way too long.