I thought it would be an improvement in the month, but it is not – AT ALL. Im really becoming frustrated. Does anyone have any positive stories that convince me that the stuff would actually work?

Drink as much water as you can stand, more than what you usually drink; it is the golden cure for most skin problems and especially if you are using a prescription medication that has the tendency to bring toxins out of your system and onto your skin! I have trained my daughters to do this all of their three little lives because we are of irish / german descent and have very sensitive skin.

Also some prescription warning labels will tell you to stay out of direct sunlight while using them and I believe Tazorac is one of them. I also believe that Bactrim is another. The UV rays from the sun will cause further bumps and break-out and can even make your skin very red, very quickly.

Hope this helps and try increasing your water intake!

Belle

What strength/type (cream or gel) are you on on? Is your face completely dry when you apply the Tazorac? What kind of acne do you have? I have noticed that everyone gets results at different points some it quicker some it takes longer. I have been on Taz Cream for 9 weeks and I am now just starting to see an improvement. Also are you on any antibiotics?

maya

Currently, I just started using Taz again (after being off it for 4 months), and I am recovering from a really bad stint of initial breakouts. I only have a few small blemishes, and I don't really need make-up. My skin peeled really bad a few days ago, but now everything is normal.

For a moisturizer, I use Oil of Olay for sensitive skin, both in the morning (mixed with Benzaclin) and in the evening (about 20 minutes before I put on Tazorac). I wash with Clean and Clear Blackhead Scrub, and I use Mudd 15 minute mask a few times a week. This regimine has served me well in the past, and it appears to be working again.

You seemed like you really needed help and I've been there so I thought I would try. I had a really bad bout with it a few years ago. You can do what you like with my advice, but it worked wonders for me (the culmination of a great deal of research).

First, if you really want to be free of acne, you have to deal with the cause, not the symptoms. Acne is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance of some kind, whether by stress or diet or whatever. So if you are serious about having clear skin, you need to start by cleaning out your system. At the very least, drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, with fresh lemon if possible. Also, eat lots of fruit and vegetables (organic when possible) and avoid eating too much meat and dairy unless they are organic (otherwise they are loaded with hormones, which add to the imbalance of your own hormones). Also, avoid drinking any kind of pop–stick to water, fruit and veg juices. I know it sounds extreme, but if you really want clear skin, this is the way to do it.

Next, you need to stick to a face cleansing routine that never changes–do this morning and night no matter what. (I researched all of these products so I would suggest these). Wash your face gently with Spectro Jel face cleanser for sensitive and problem skin. Then put on a layer of Clear Pore treatment by neutorgena (salicylic acid). This is the best one because it doesn't have oils or other junk in it. Now, after you have done this, rub a little benzoyl peroxide on any actual spots of acne (such as the one on your forehead). I also used tea tree oil because it's more gentle, which is an astringent so not like regular oils. Finally, you need to put a layer of oil-free face cream on top of this. Why? Because otherwise your face will dry out, and the more you dry your face out with all the chemicals (especially those from the doctor) the more you skin will fix the imbalance by creating more oil! Hence more acne. The best cream I found was Neutrogena Moisture Oile-Free for Sensitive Skin, I'm sure you can buy it anywhere. The final thing I did was twice a week I did a gentle face exfoliation with a tea tree cleanser called Snap.

Oh and another great tip. Twice a week, before going to sleep, put plain old Milk of Magnesia on your face (a thin layer) and let it dry. It will suck up all the oils that cause the acne. After you wipe it off, go forward with the above ritual.

It will not happen overnight, but it will happen if you do this. It will take about a month before you see real results, and three months before you start getting truly happy–but put it this way, what have you got to lose? I had really bad scarring on both sides of my face (people would stare!) and it took me about 1 year in total to get rid of the worst of it following this ritual. Now I still have some but it's so minor, only I can notice it. Remember, though, the part about diet is really important–especially the drinking loads of water and avoiding pop.

May you be happy again!

Best,
shawn

First of all, your doctor should have either given you a coritzone shot to reduce it or had one of his nurses extract it for you.

You need to go to a dermatologist, have someone there do an extraction for you, because the fact that you said it still gets swollen sometimes proves that it still has debris in there. You obviously couldn't remove all the dead skin/bacteria by yourself (stupid doc) and what's in there is preventing it from healing.

Good luck & hope it clears up.

Keep using it – the taz will peel away the red marks fast. She'll have great looking skin in no time.

[This message has been edited by Don't b Down (edited 10-18-2003).]

The Tazorac after two weeks of using the network 2 to 4 minutes before washing my face . appears to be “digging” the ones who are under the skin. They have felt under the skin and have looked like bumps for about three months give or take and it seems they are now closer to the surface. Although I absolutely hate it, I think it is a necessary means to an end. . (

L:)

Does it bring yours up to the surface of the skin? I don't know how else to describe it. I have had them under there for months and now they are working their way up I guess. Can't really tell if there are any new ones though. I've only been using for 2 weeks though, so I guess it will take time. Does your skin tingle and sting and does that get better. ?? How come you switched to the .5 if the 1% was working well, or were you clear and decided to cut back?

Thanks
L

Also, she might want to incorporate MD Forte Cleanser II in the morning to get rid of the flakes. It has some glycolic acid in it, but is surprisingly VERY gentle and gets rid of the flakes without having to scrub the skin (which, of course, causes more irritation and possibly more breakouts). This cleanser has helped my skin soooo much. It was recommended to me by my dermatologist.

I am also on Tazorac 0.1% gel and incorporating these products has kept me flake free and hydrated. My skin looks almost perfect now. Also, I only use it every 2 or 3 nights and that cuts back on the irritation as well…..but my skin has cleared considerably. I was also prescribed Duac which is very similar to Clindamycin, and I only use that to spot treat active pimples in the morning. Applying it all over the face isn't a good idea for Tazorac users because our skin is already so sensitive and is much thinner than normal. Skin is easily irritated when applied all over and more pimples may result.

Bonnie

He just cut off one of the bumps, and sent it to a lab. I have to emphasize that these bumps NEVER went away. I have had them for at least three years. It isn't just a problem area where i break- out over and over. It's the same exact bumps, concentrated on one area, while the rest of my face responds to treatment.

What are yours like?

Hi guy

Taz is supposed to be good for wrinkles, but like everything else, it's not effective for everyone. I found that the retin-a made me look younger than the taz.

What type of biopsy and why? Since I have lupus, I may have one done and was wondering about them. It seems my immune system is always in overdrive and I have wondered if….because this all came out at the same time, its related. I just can't convince myself that this is typical acne. It just doesn't respond to anything ya know??

I have also tried to research the Elidel Cream which is an immunosupressant for the skin that is NOT a steroid. I'm not sure if that could be my problem, but would be willing to try it. Even Minocyclin and erythromycin have never helped..and later after being Dx with lupus I realized why I became so ill taking them. They can both exacerbate the symptoms of lupus. I have often wondered if a steroid free type cream would work and plan to say something to the derm. I just can't leave the questions without the answers.
I do hope you are feeling better regarding the biopsies. I've put it off for a long time and need to think more seriously about it, but I've always been afraid of both the scarring and the outcome. Feel better.

L

It looks okay, but it may scar. That area is so messed up. Still haven't gotten my results, so I'm now getting worried.

~Emma

[This message has been edited by guy (edited 06-22-2003).]

My oil, and acne went away. I must say, it wasn't too bad to begin with–mild/moderate, but my oil was terrible! The taz got rid of my oil.

I went on retin-a not b/c the taz wasn't working(it was), but b/c the retin-a makes me look younger(I'm 32).

If you're having good results, I'd stick with the taz. If the results are only ok. maybe you can add another topical to the mix. I used BP with mine, b/c BP has always been really effective on my skin.

HTH

~Emma

[This message has been edited by guy (edited 06-22-2003).]