Is it ok to use Tazorac gel .05% 3 days on, 4 days off? I seem to have success using Tazorac with this frequency.

Question

Everyday use dried my skin out too much and just complicated issues in regards to my skin being healthy. I started getting bumps on my skin and i really cant use any kind of moisturizer all over my face on a daily basis because my skin hates foreign things being put on it.

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. If you're skin is tolerating this regime, I would continue. The goal is to use it every night. Try to use it every other night and go from there. Make sure to wear SPF 30 with zinc everyday. I hope this helps!

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

If you are happy using Tazorac your way, there is no problem. You can also do 2/week or 3/week, especially in the first month or so, and as your skin starts getting used to it, increase to weekdays, and weekends off, or eventually just every night.

Sally Booth, MD · Answer

I agree with everyone else that if this regimen is working for you then continue.  It sounds like your skin is sensitive.  In my experience, patients who have experienced dryness have also used hot water to wash their face with, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or too much medication.  I recommend to patients that they decrease the temperature of the water that they wash their face with and use a mild cleanser.  I also recommend a pea-size amount of the medication (about the size of a kernel of corn) to the entire face.  I recommend that the apply the pea-size amount by dabbing it on the forehead, chin, and cheeks and then spreading it thinly over the entire face.  Applying it every other evening is also helpful.  I hope this helps.

Stephen H. Ducatman, MD · Answer

Yes, if Tazorac is working for you 3 days on and 4 days off that is a safe and for you effective regimen.  No need to use more often if the results you are currently getting are satisfactory.  An old medical axiom is that the least amount of medication that gets the job done is always the safest amount

Gail Nield, MD, FRCPC · Answer

Hello. The goal of any prescription medication is to have positive effects with little side effects. if your routine is controlling your acne and reducing the irritation, then continue with what you are doing!

Amy Y. Paul, DO, FAAD · Answer

Yes, you can use Tazorac at a slower schedule than every night.  Patients that live in a more humid climate can often tolerate it more often than people in dry areas of the country.  It is the strongest topical retinoid, and can be very helpful in keeping the skin smooth and acne at bay, if you are careful about not overdoing it.  I hope this helps!

Jennifer T. Haley, MD, FAAD · Answer

There are many ways to use Tazorac.  I have some patients who can use it every night without a problem, others who use it once and they have chemical peel-like effect.  Some patients I have use "short contact" treatment where they may leave it on for 1 hour and wash off.  I would recommend trying every other or every 3rd night as this medication sends signals to the cells.  The rollercoaster of 3 on/4 off may just be confusing for your skin and 1 on, 2 off may work better.  But, in the end, you know your skin best and what feels right.  It will take 3-6 months to get the best results.

Joshua L. Fox, MD · Answer

Yes it is perfectly fine using Tazorac with that frequency.
Having rest days in between applications will prevent dryness and give you
better results in the long run!

Rebecca Baxt, MD · Answer

Yes, its fine to use tazorac 2-3 times a week, it is very strong.  Just mention it to your doctor so they know.

John Louis Ratz, MD · Answer

As long as using the Tazorac at this frequency works for you, there's nothing wrong with continuing on that basis. Unfortunately, if the Tazorac is still drying you out on that schedule, the only reasonable answer is the use of moisturizers.           jlr

Is it ok to use Tazorac gel .05% 3 days on, 4 days off? I seem to have success using Tazorac with this frequency.

Answers (11)

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