Switching From Tretinoin To Tazorac: 6 Tips
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If you’re thinking about switching from tretinoin to Tazorac, there are a few things you should know. Tazorac, also known as is a stronger retinoid, so it can be more effective at treating acne and wrinkles. However, it also comes with some potential side effects, like dryness and irritation. Here’s what you need to know before making the switch from tretinoin to tazarotene.
Tretinoin Vs Tazorac
Both tretinoin and tazorac are retinoids, which are derivatives of vitamin A. Retinoids are some of the most commonly used ingredients in topical acne treatments because they’re effective at reducing inflammation and unclogging pores. They can also be used to treat other conditions, such as wrinkles and sun damage.
If you’re thinking about switching from retin-a to tazarotene, there are a few things you should know. Tazarotene is a stronger retinoid, so it can be more effective at treating acne and wrinkles. However, it also comes with some potential side effects, like dryness and irritation. Here’s what you need to know before making the switch from tretinoin to Tazorac.
Hang with me, cause this can get confusing. Both Tazorac and Tretinoin belong to a group called retinoids. “Retinoids” is simply an umbrella term for Vitamin A compounds and Vitamin A derivatives.
These compounds basically shed dead skin cells and help our skin cells rejuvenate faster.
Now, there are a lot of different types of natural and synthetic retinoids. Certain retinoids are available OTC, while others are prescription-only. Now let’s dive a littler deeper into the differences between tretinoin and tazarotene.
Retin-A is the brand name of the product, while tretinoin is the generic. Retin-A and tretinoin are the same thing.
Tretinoin (or Retin-A) is retinoic acid. The gold standard in anti-aging and acne. In fact, it’s about 20 times more potent than retinols! It was first developed as an acne treatment, but it was soon discovered that it has amazing anti-aging properties, too!
Retin-A, or tretinoin, is typically prescribed to treat acne or to help with anti-aging. Retin-A is commonly prescribed for acne treatment, as it’s FDA approved to treat acne and not only can it help clear up the skin, but it also helps to fade acne scarring.
As mentioned above, retin-a is more potent and more effective then OTC retinol. This is because It does not have to be converted by the skin. Once it’s applied, it starts working. However, that does come at a price. Retin A is more irritating than OTC weaker forms of retinol.
Retin-A usually comes in either a cream or gel form and can range in strength. Most doctors will prescribe the lowest strength (0.025%) first and then increase the strength as needed (up to 0.1%).
Tazorac, also known as tazarotene, is a topical skincare product that is used to treat a variety of skin conditions. Tazorac is the brand name of tazarotene (which is the generic). Some other brand names are Arazlo or Avage. Tazorac and tazarotene are the same thing. It is a form of vitamin A and belongs to a class of medications called retinoids, just like tretinoin.
Tazorac is available as a gel, cream or can of foam. Available Strengths are 0.05%, which is the weakest and 0.1%, which is the strongest.
Tazorac is used to treat acne, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation (dark spots on the skin). It can also be used to treat psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin. It’s FDA approved to treat acne, psoriasis and signs of aging.
One of the main benefits of Tazorac is that it can help to improve the appearance of the skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and roughness. It can also help to unclog pores, treat and prevent acne.
The main difference between tazorac and tretinoin is that tazorac is much stronger. Tazorac is the strongest retinoid available. It is prescribed to treat more severe skin conditions like severe or cystic acne, while tretinoin is used to treat milder issues like acne and wrinkles. Therefore, tazorac can be more irritating and drying than tretinoin.
So, what does this mean if you’re switching from tretinoin to tazorac? Well, it means that you’ll be using a stronger, more effective product. It also means that you may experience more irritation and redness as your skin adjusts to the stronger retinoid. However, with the right tips, you’ll be able to transition to using tazaroten without too much discomfort.
Can I Switch Between Tretinoin and Tazorac?
So can you switch from tretinoin to Tazorac?
While both of them are retinoids and work very similarly, Tazorac is stronger and can treat more severe forms of acne. Many people who start using tretinoin may need to switch to tazorac or tazarotene if they find that the tretinoin isn’t working for them.
Can I Alternate Between Tretinoin and Tazorac?
Since tretinoin and Tazorac are a little different in terms of the benefits for the skin, many people wonder if you can use tazarotene and retin-a on alternate nights. While they are different products, they are pretty similar in terms of what they do so there’s not a ton of benefit for using both products.
You can alternate between tretinoin and Tazorac, but you need to always use them on alternate nights and never use them together on the same day.
Do keep in mind that using tretinoin and tazorac together is a little redundant, as Retin-A and Tazorac are both FDA approved to treat acne and signs of aging. So you can tackle aging concerns and acne with just a single product instead of using (and paying for) two separate products.
What Is Stronger Tretinoin or Tazorac?
While both ingredients are effective for acne and aging, is tazarotene stronger than tretinoin?
Tazorac is much stronger than tretinoin. In studies, it’s been shown to be more effective, and work faster than tretinoin. It’s the strongest retinoid available on the market.
How Do You Transition To Tazorac?
If you’re wanting to make the switch from tretinoin to Tazorac, there are a few tips to make the adjustment period as smooth as possible.
The most important thing is to start slow and give your skin time to adjust to the stronger retinoid. Start by using tretinoin just once or twice a week and gradually increase usage as tolerated.
You can also “buffer” the Tazorac by applying moisturizer before applying Tazorac. This will help to “dilute” the tazarotene so it’s not as strong and it will help your skin slowly adjust without a ton of irritation and dryness.
- Start low – Start with the lowest strength available: 0.05% tazarotene and work your way up if needed
- Avoid harsh products – Switch to a gentle cleanser and avoid using harsh exfoliants or physical scrubs
- Use cream – The cream version will be more gentle on the skin and less irritating than the gel
- Start slow – Begin using Tazorac 1-2x a week and slowly work your way up to every other day or every day as tolerated by your skin
- Avoid other actives – During the adjustment phase, don’t use any other actives like vitamin c, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, etc
- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize – Make sure to keep the skin hydrated and use a moisturizer both during the day and at night. You might even need to use a heavier moisturizer or occlusive to slug during the adjustment period
Another thing to keep in mind is that when you start to use a stronger, more effective retinoid, you are likely to experience what’s called a tretinoin purge. This is when you may experience more breakouts while the retinoid works to clear out your pores. Just stick with it and remember that it’s temporary, and soon you’ll see clearer and smoother skin!
Related post: Switching From Differin To Tretinoin
When To Switch From Tretinoin To Tazorac?
If you’re contemplating making the switch from tretinoin to Tazorac, but aren’t sure if it’s the right time, consider your skin concerns and skincare goals.
If you find that you are starting to see some signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness, making to switch to Tazorac may be a good option for you as it can target those issues better than tretinoin.
Or if you have acne or texture issues that just aren’t improving with Retin-A, switching to Tazorac can give you better results.
However, if you are happy with your skin, the switch may not be necessary! Tretinoin is a great product that can effectively treat acne and improve skin texture, so stick with it if you are happy with the results.
Which Is Better For Wrinkles Tretinoin or Tazarotene?
If you’re interested in using one of these ingredients for anti-aging purposes, you might be wondering is tazorac or tretinoin better for wrinkles?
Both tretinoin and tazarotene have been shown to stimulate the production of collagen, a protein that helps to give the skin its structure and support, while reducing signs of aging like sagging skin and loss of elasticity. Both products are also FDA approved for anti-aging purposes. They can help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, firm skin and reduce photodamage.
Both are great for treating signs of aging, but tazarotene (Tazorac) is considered to be the stronger of the two. One study found that not only was Tazorac more effective at treating signs of aging, but it also worked faster than tretinoin.
Both Tazorac and tretinoin are safe and effective treatments for aging skin, but Tazorac is more effective and works faster.
Does Tazarotene Work Faster Than Tretinoin?
Several studies have shown that Tazorac or tazarotene works faster than tretinoin. In studies comparing the efficacy of tazorac vs tretinoin for acne and wrinkles. Of course, tazorac is also associated with increased dryness and sensitivity during the first few weeks.
Related post: Switching From Retinol To Adapalene
Is Tazorac Similar to Tretinoin?
Yes, tazarotene (Tazorac) is similar to tretinoin in that they are both forms of vitamin A and belong to a class of medications called retinoids. Both tazarotene and tretinoin are used to treat a variety of skin conditions and are effective in improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as other signs of sun-damaged and aging skin. They’re also both FDA approved to treat acne.
Both tazarotene and tretinoin work by stimulating the production of collagen, a protein that helps to give the skin its structure and support. This can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as other signs of aging such as sunspots.
Switching From Retin-A to Tazorac Wrap Up
When it comes to anti-aging and acne products, tretinoin and tazarotene (Tazorac) are two of the most popular ingredients on the market. Both of these medications belong to a class of drugs called retinoids, which work by stimulating collagen production in the skin and speeding up skin cell turnover. They can help with an array of skin concerns including acne, rough skin texture, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles and sun spots.
If you’re using tretinoin and not happy with your skin, switching from tretinoin to tazarotene may be a good option. Since Tazorac is stronger, it can be more effective at treating acne and signs of aging. However, keep in mind that it can also cause increased dryness and irritation during the adjustment period. If you do make the switch, be sure to start with the lowest concentration of Tazorac available, start slow and use a good moisturizer 2x daily.
