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Mon Sep 04, 2006 6:40 pm  |
| Hi ladies!! I was using Differin for a while, but since my skin responded to it so well my derm wants to move me up to Tazorac. I've been applying Differin and Tazorac on alternate nights and things have been going fine, so I've tried to switch to just using Tazorac. Well, after just using Tazorac for a few nights in a row my skin started to get MAJORLY flaky. Majorly. So, here's my question: did any of you experience flaking with Tazorac? How long did it last? I don't know if I should just keep up using it to get through this flaky phase faster, OR if I should back off--- any thoughts? Thanks in advance!! |
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27, sensitive/reactive/acne prone skin, dark brown hair, blue eyes, possibly the palest woman alive... |
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Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:52 pm |
| YEAP, I am a user of TAZORAC and LOVE IT. I do notice flaky if I apply to much, so go easy. I had flakies for the first week or so, and still get them from time to time. I notice I have to use my cloth in the shower with my cetaphil, and if I do that morning and night, no flakes. I would never go back, tazorac has cleared my face and all unlining clogged pores, black heads etc. I would not live without. |
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Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:04 pm |
I started using tazorac about 2 months ago. My derm originally started me with the cream. I used it for about a month, but it was way too heavy for me. I didn't experience any flakyness with it. I switched to the gel, and I had about a week of minor flakies on my nose and that was it.
I should also say that I have used retinA micro forever, so that is probably why I didn't have any problems with the tazorac.
According to the tazorac website, you can use a moisturizer at night. You can apply the tazorac and hour after your moisturizer application. http://www.tazorac.com/adult_read.asp
If you skin is just flaky, I would keep using the tazorac. If you face is red and irritated, I would cut back the usage.
You can also use and enzyme cleanser or something like dermalogica's microfoliant in the mornings to get rid of the flakies.
HTH |
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Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:23 pm |
Hi manslayerliz 
When I started using Taz gel I would use it every other night to every other two nights. Now I usually use it every night but when my skin gets flaky and I am not able to get rid of the flakes with masks and exfoliators w/out rubbing my face off then I back off to every other night.
Even though I get occasional flakiness I don't get as much irritation as I did when I used all of the other topical acne treatments (including retin A and Differin). Are you getting irritation?
If you aren't able to exfoliate with success then I would back off to every other night for a week. If the flakiness doesn't bother you then keep using it every night but use sparingly. Berquis is right- try applying a less amount. I find that when I apply too much I get flakiness. And I have heard that applying more does not equate with increased effectiveness.
Btw, Berquis- you are lucky that your treatment has been so successful. Even though my skin is WAY better after using it for a year I still have blackheads and some clogged pores (plus some breakouts)  .
Anyway, hang in there, Taz buddy  . |
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early-mid 30s || oily-combination, sensitive & acne-prone skin || mild breakouts (Aczone helps a lot) || occasional eczema rashes || fine lines around eyes || very dark under eye cirlces- concealer a must || very fair neutral-warm complexion, blue eyes, blonde hair |
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Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:24 pm |
| Wow, thanks for the great info ladies!! I've read that you are only supposed to apply a pea-sized amount, but it's difficult to spread such a small amount over my whole face--- does anyone else struggle with this? My derm recommended mixing it with lotion before applying---any thoughts? |
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27, sensitive/reactive/acne prone skin, dark brown hair, blue eyes, possibly the palest woman alive... |
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Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:52 pm |
I haven't had too much of a problem with the application. The little sample size tube is supposed to last for a month and mine have been lasting for about 3 1/2 weeks. I find it is much more spreadable than the retinA that I was using before.
I am not sure about mixing it, but I guess your derm has his reasons.
Also, about the flakies you are experiencing, it is also recommended to wait at least 30 minutes after you wash your face to apply the tazorac. |
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Mon Sep 04, 2006 10:06 pm |
| I'm not a user, but as a hormonal-acne-buddy, good luck with the Taz, Liz! Keep us updated! |
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Tue Sep 05, 2006 12:52 am |
| I know it intially bothers those with sensitive skin, but if you use tazaroc for a while does it actually make sensitive skin much tougher and no longer red? |
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Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:49 am |
I started using Tazorac about a year ago for adult acne. I may have had some drying at first but my skin just loves it. If I stop I start getting red spots again. I used Retin A before and even though some say Taz is harsher my skin seems to like Taz best. Maybe dilute it 1/2 for a while and then up the concentration.
Taz is something I would never go without. |
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Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:27 pm |
This meant to be posted yesterday... I forgot to hit the "submit" button. 
Liz, are you using gel or cream? I use the gel and find that it spreads fairly well even when using a small amount. I wonder how mixing it w/ facial cream would work  ... Never thought of that. I always apply my Taz as the last step before bed. |
_________________
early-mid 30s || oily-combination, sensitive & acne-prone skin || mild breakouts (Aczone helps a lot) || occasional eczema rashes || fine lines around eyes || very dark under eye cirlces- concealer a must || very fair neutral-warm complexion, blue eyes, blonde hair |
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Tue Jan 02, 2007 9:24 pm |
I'm bumping this up just in case there is anyone out there who has more good or bad Tazorac stories...Tonight is my first night using tazorac and I am totally excited!!! My last retinoid experience was with Renova....and I got some pretty brutal redness and peeling out of the experience.....I applied the Tazorac (the cream, not gel) a few hours ago and I suffered no stinging at all....Is this normal??? It seems like the Tazorac is more gentle than the Renova I tried a few years back....could this be so? It just seems SO much less irritating!! I can hardly believe it! Any thoughts? Thanks, Guys!
Pudoodles |
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Tue Jan 02, 2007 10:27 pm |
Pudoodles,
I have used both renova (0.02%) and taz cream. Taz is a lot stronger than renova. I did not experience any stinging with either products but peeled majorly with both. You may not peel til a few days later. Just see how your skin responds and adjust according. |
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~~ super-sensitive, dry, dermatitis prone, rosacea/northern calif ~~ |
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Tue Jan 02, 2007 11:33 pm |
Good grief -- name me one part of my face that DIDN'T peel while using Taz. I even tried applying a light coat of lotion first to provide slip, then squeaked a very thin film of Tazorac gel on top of it. And only once a week. I found that it didn't just give me day-after peeling; it continued on for several days after initial application. Whadda mess! I was determined to make it work, though, so exfoliated more than I should have, ending up with sore, red, dehydrated skin.
I finally stopped using it on my face and now apply it only to prevent ingrown hairs after a bikini wax (where, strangely enough, it works remarkably well and even seems to slow hair growth).
In fairness, I must say that an existing skin condition already creates more flakiness than I can handle. My cell turnover is incredibly high and applying foundation smoothly is a real challenge, even over Avene Trixera. Skin that looks smooth at 5:00 a.m. is flaking in a big way by 9:00 a.m., so out of desperation I carry tweezers and a 10X magnifying mirror for "touch-ups". (Okay, so I'm obsessive about this, but there's one guy in my office who has probably the same skin problem as mine, or worse, and I'll be damned if I know what he treats it with but I can't even concentrate long enough to have a conversation with him 'cause my eyes are darting all over the red, inflamed, flake-ridden expanse of his face, and feeling so sorry for him.)
Truly, I think it's a very useful medication; it clearly wasn't the right one for me and I think I made the problem worse. Just proceed carefully and you'll know quickly enough if it's beneficial for you. |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:17 am |
I've used Tazorac cream for a long time and it never stung upon application, not even the first time. Tazorac IS stronger than Renova though IMO. You don't say what percentage you are using, but I've found I can only tolerate .05% in the wintertime but can use .10% in the warmer months.
Just go slow with it and when they say "pea size" they mean it!
Keep us posted!
-Cheri
| Pudoodles wrote: |
I'm bumping this up just in case there is anyone out there who has more good or bad Tazorac stories...Tonight is my first night using tazorac and I am totally excited!!! My last retinoid experience was with Renova....and I got some pretty brutal redness and peeling out of the experience.....I applied the Tazorac (the cream, not gel) a few hours ago and I suffered no stinging at all....Is this normal??? It seems like the Tazorac is more gentle than the Renova I tried a few years back....could this be so? It just seems SO much less irritating!! I can hardly believe it! Any thoughts? Thanks, Guys!
Pudoodles |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:00 am |
Compared to other topical retinoids I have tried, Tazorac doesn't cause as much redness and irritation but it does make my skin peel like crazy. That's why I only use it every other night.
Pudoodles- I suggest using it every other night or every two nights at first to avoid any potential irritation until your skin adjusts. It just depends upon how sensitive your skin is. |
_________________
early-mid 30s || oily-combination, sensitive & acne-prone skin || mild breakouts (Aczone helps a lot) || occasional eczema rashes || fine lines around eyes || very dark under eye cirlces- concealer a must || very fair neutral-warm complexion, blue eyes, blonde hair |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:39 am |
Thanks so much everyone for posting - I really appreciate your input  Phredd4 and Mtview: good to see you back on the forum - I haven't seen posts from you guys in a while! I awoke not too long ago and after my first night with Tazorac my skin feels great!!! NO IRRITATION WHATSOEVER!!! This is reacting very differently from the Renova... (Phredd: I'm using the 0.1 formulation)from what I understand, Tazorac is part of a new generation of prescription topical retinoids that isn't supposed to irritate as much...I am so thrilled that my skin isn't burning!! I'll let you know if I start to peel like an onion...(Thanks, Amnis) and thanks to Pinky1 for providing so much detail-I'll be careful) - it feels GREAT to know that if I have questions or want advice I can come here and get help! You guys are awesome!
Pudoodles |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 7:32 am |
| Ilove tazorac, my dermatologist gave me some for free. He told me to leave it on for ten minutes then wash it off. You have to find your own comfort level with it, you will know after awhile how much to put on and when to back down for a day or 2 if you have too much flaking...you do want some but not too much. I love it and use it under my eyes to lessen the crows feet too. |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 7:43 am |
| lucyluc wrote: |
| Ilove tazorac, my dermatologist gave me some for free. He told me to leave it on for ten minutes then wash it off. You have to find your own comfort level with it, you will know after awhile how much to put on and when to back down for a day or 2 if you have too much flaking...you do want some but not too much. I love it and use it under my eyes to lessen the crows feet too. |
WOW Lucyluc -- under your eyes?!  I did that with Renova and nearly burned my eyes out! What percentage of taz are you using? I can't get over how excited about the fact that my cheeks are not on fire!! If I can use this around my eyes I'll be ecstatic!!!
Pudoodles |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 7:57 am |
| Here's an update from my end: I'm still using the taz and LOVING it!!!! I started out with the .05%, and now I'm working up to using .1%. However, I'll offer a few words of advice. For me, when I started it I used it for a few nights i a row with no problem, and then one day I woke up and my whole face was scaly and peeling, ugh!! With the help of the ladies here on the board I figured out I was using too much product (you need only the smallest, tiniest pea-size dab for your whole face), so I scaled it back AND upped the moisturizer after applying the taz, and it's pretty much been smooth sailing ever since. HTH! Please keep us updated! |
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27, sensitive/reactive/acne prone skin, dark brown hair, blue eyes, possibly the palest woman alive... |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:16 am |
| I am using .05%. He also gave me.01% but I am supposed to start with the lower one too. I am very careful when I put it on I use it to try to keep the crows under my eyes under control.I have surgery 6 months ago but still had lines so I have using TNS recovery under the the eye and their TNS illuminating eye cream and Janson BeckettDermalexcel7. I think the combo with the retin A really helps .My eyes look very nice for being 52. |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:23 am |
| lucyluc wrote: |
| I am using .05%. He also gave me.01% but I am supposed to start with the lower one too. I am very careful when I put it on I use it to try to keep the crows under my eyes under control.I have surgery 6 months ago but still had lines so I have using TNS recovery under the the eye and their TNS illuminating eye cream and Janson BeckettDermalexcel7. I think the combo with the retin A really helps .My eyes look very nice for being 52. |
Wow - Lucyluc - that is a hard core cocktail of products - I bet your eyes DO look awesome. Did you post a pic of yourself on that "what does everyone look like" thread?
Pudoodles |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:31 pm |
I've been using Tazorac for the last 5 or so years, and Retin A products for 15 years before that. I still peel from it, especially in the winter, but I think that is a sign it's doing its stuff! In the winter I only use it every other night, and go back to nightly in the spring. A pea size works fine for me, but I have a skinny little face! I am struggling with breaking out though, (hormonal?) and disappointed the Taz is not helping with that.  |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:16 pm |
| I started the .05 Tazorac Dec. 3rd & so far I'm not getting a reaction. My derm also recommended mixing it with lotion to spread the pea size amount. I'm mostly interested in fighting age spots & wrinkles. |
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40, fair skinned, dark hair, blue eyes |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:19 pm |
| To follow up I have the 0.1% cream. I have gotten red with Renova but the Taz has never bothered me? Maybe because my face had gotten used to the retinoids and you can build up tolerance? I haven't noticed a seasonal effect. My skin is somewhat sensitive but not highly so. |
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Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:49 pm |
| I just started using the taz for a week and loving it! I am using the .05% gel. I have some flakies but no irritation so far. I wished I have tried it before. I could have saved a lot of money since it gave the most noticeable results compared to all the skin creams I have tried. |
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