How Long Until I See Results on Tazorac? Or Do I Need Something Else?

I'm still seeing clogged pores/blackheads after 5 weeks of nightly use (the 0.1% strength, gel type). Does this mean it's not effective? Would I get more benefit from chemical peels at the dermatologist's office?

Tags:

Tazorac blackheads 1 month post-op alternative not working results

Comment on this

5 Doctor Answers | Asked by Mint_tea in Milwaukee, WI

Doctor Answers (5)
Community Comments (0)

Acne regimen needs time

Acne cannot and will not improve overnight. It will take weeks and even months to see the full effects of medications. Most patients become frustrated before this and stop taking or using their medications, or worse, overuse their medications and cause additional problems. Your lack of results does not mean your medication isn't working or will not work. Follow through with it as directed, and revisit your physician after about 8 weeks of use to determine if additional medications or... more

Patience is a virtue with acne treatment

It can take several months to notice any significant improvement with Tazorac or any other retinoid, but your patience will pay off. There is no other class of topical acne medications that can unplug pores as effectively as the retinoids. I tell my patients that their acne may even flare slightly in the first month or so as lesions are "brought to the surface." Then, I see them back in 3 months. One thing to consider, however, that may be thwarting your... more

Blackhead treatment options

I think you need to give any topical blackhead treatment 3 months. If not better, time to try something else.

Time is Needed with any Acne Treatment

Acne treatments take time to work and it is different for all patients. I see most patients back for follow up at two months after beginning an acne regimen. At this first follow up visit, I counsel them that this is the point where the acne should begin to improve and adjustments to the regimen can be made. I typically do not see significant improvement until the next follow up visit 6 months later. u

How long to see results from Tazorac

For any acne treatment method, you usually need to give approximately 4 months to see a real difference. With a strong retinoid such as Tazorac 0.1% gel, you should see some reduction in oiliness of the face relatively quickly, however, it takes some time for the blackheads and whiteheads to work themselves out of the hair follicles. Be careful with combining chemical peels and Tazorac, as retinoids also act as light peeling agents. It may traumatize the skin by having both... more