Tazarotene is a prescription retinoid that can be used to treat acne as well as other skin conditions or photoaging.
Overall
Tazarotene is a retinoid variant that can be used to treat acne. It is also used for a variety of other skin problems as well as for anti-aging and to reduce the symptoms of sun damage. Similar to other retinoid based treatments, irritation and initial worsening of acne is a common side-effect, and patients need to be mentally prepared for this.
Side-effects
The most common side-effect is irritation to the skin, and a temporary worsening of acne. Dryness, inflammation, and photosensitivity are other common side-effects, and all are most likely when the medication is initially applied. To mitigate the side-effects:
Irritation and dryness are the most common problems.
Avoid applying more than instructed in an attempt to treat acne faster.
Apply medication when your skin is dry.
Use gentle cleansers and light moisturizers.
Use sunscreen, and try to minimize exposure to the sun.
Reduce the amount of time that the medication is on the skin by washing after 5 minutes.
