Is tazorac the same as retin a micro ? does it actually work?

How long does it take for Retin A to work? I would prefer an experienced dermatologist to answer?

• PLEASE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE USED RETIN A FOR A WHILE (3 MONTHS OR MORE) ANSWER!!!!!!!! My face is not badly broken out, i have a few really small skin colored bumps on my forehead that have been there for a really long time, 2 blackheads on my cheek but close to my nose, nothing on the rest of my cheeks, and my chin recently just broke out after i started washing it with my facial cleanser. I have put retin a on a few times now but how long will it break out for and when will it start to get better? I know that it brings everything from under your skin to the surface. I just need my face to be clear by the summer!! I am going on vacations and can't be seen like this!! Also, i have another question. I don't wear foundation or anything on my face, because most times my acne isn't red and super visible, unless you are close to my face. I only wear a little eye liner and mascara. If i just scrub my face gently with my hands with warm water every morning and night, will i see a better improvement? I feel like all these facial cleansers ruin peoples faces and your face gets used to the when you start using them and if you stop then your face will break out. I use Aveeno Ultra-Calm-Fragrance free, oil free. I would prefer an experienced dermatologist to answer this?

• Answer:

  Hey sweetie. Well you seem to have a deadline so here are some things that maybe making the Retin A work against you. First of all you want use a water based cleanser before applying the cream and preferably ones that are like DFF which are reputable (expensive though) brands that are known to be effective. If you don't know this but A is extremely reactive with the sun so you want to be applying sun screens which are effective or keeping your face covered from sunlight. I would recommend if you want to speed up the process to use A in the morning and go to the doctors and order benzoyl peroxide and use benzoyl peroxide in the afternoon after washing the A off your face as they neutralize each others effects so don't try both at once. You have to be patient with A because it is not just for removing blackheads and acne but also works on removing spot marks therefore flaking away your skin but if you don't want your skin to flake I would recommend a non fragrance powerful moisturizer like E45. I would say if you keep using Retin A regularly your face should be clean in another three months though I would recommend the steps I have mentioned Hope this helped.