Prescription Acne Treatments Archives

Tazorac Reviews

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This main purpose of this page is to encourage real users of Tazorac to come out and share their views about this product. While we believe that our review is detailed and comprehensive on its own, we can’t underestimate the value of real user feedback. If you have tried Tazorac before, or are using it at present, we ask you to post your comments here so our readers may benefit from your experience.

What is Tazorac?

Tazorac is a Vitamin A retinoid that is used to treat acne blemishes. Aside from treating acne, Tazorac is also found to be an effective treatment against psoriasis and wrinkles. In treating acne, Tazorac uses 0.1 % concentration of the active ingredient tazarotene. The maker of this product claims to heal, regenerate, and shed the skin to speed up the treatment process.

Because this is a prescription drug, it would be wise to consult your dermatologist first before applying this cream on your face. This is to ensure that the medication suits your skin type and any form of side effects would be avoided. As a type of retinoid, tazorac increases the rate of cell turnover which means that pores become free from any blockage. Because the pores are unclogged, acne blemishes are reduced and acne gets treated.

In order to achieve results, this medication must be followed as directed by health professionals. Generally, the topical cream is applied on the affected skin once a day, preferably at night before you go to sleep. Be sure that your skin is free from any dirt so that any bacteria may not get in contact with your exposed skin when you apply the medication. It may also be a good idea to put a mild cleanser on your face first before applying tazorac cream. Furthermore, you should not let the cream reach other areas of your face which is not affected by acne like your eyes, mouth and nostrils. If ever they do, wash it with water to avoid irritation.

Tazorac, because it is in topical form, can easily be applied on the affected skin areas. But due to the fact that this medication needs the expressed recommendation from dermatologists or any qualified skin care specialists, many users feel that it must contain substances that may only bring more harm than good. Many acne sufferers like to just find a medicinal cure for acne over the counter. This is perhaps due in part to the reluctance of some people to let others know about their skin disorder even to experts that could recommend better solution for their skin problem.

Looking for user testimonials of this product, our team of researchers have found out interesting mixed results. There are some users who find the product totally ineffective for their acne problems and even said that the formulation only worsens their acne in general. Most of the negative issues regarding this product is due to the fact that many users get discouraged easily. According to the information provided by the maker, tazorac’s maximum effect could be seen when the user reaches the 12th week of treatment. To some people this is just too long, and they get frustrated for a few weeks of use without clear signs that the acne breakouts are slowing down. But out of those who participated in the reviews, at least 80 percent said they were satisfied with the product and would buy it again.

Product Details

Who is it for?

People with mild to moderate acne blemishes of all ages

How long to see results?

It usually takes 12 weeks before substantial results are seen.

Ingredients

Tazorac contains the active ingredient tazarotene which is a retinoid derivative of Vitamin A.

Side effect

The common side effects of using tazorac are the following: dryness, itching, burning, redness, peeling and increased sensitivity to sunlight. Furthermore, retinoids may cause harm to the fetus, so pregnant women are advised to seek the help of professionals before deciding to use this product.

Directions for use

The medication should be followed as indicated by your physician.

Price

30 gm- $60; 60gm- $120; 90gm – $174.

Guarantee

None

The Good:

  • Quite effective for many users
  • Easy to use because it is in cream form
  • Administration is only once a day

The Bad:

  • Needs prescription
  • Effects seem to start slow
  • Quite expensive
  • No guarantee

Verdict:

Our research suggests that this medication does not work for everyone with acne problems. Seeing that it is expensive and without any kind of guarantee, we suggest that you only try this when you’ve tried other means of treatment.

 

Epiduo Reviews

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While it is true that a product that works perfectly with one person may not at all work for you, the fact that some users find a remedy satisfying may give an indication that the same might work for you. The main goal for this page is therefore to collect as many Epiduo reviews from as many real users as possible so that other users will get an idea of the actual users’ experiences with this product. And though we take pains to emphasize that our research and testing in itself is thorough and independent, it is still a good idea to get reviews from other users of Epidou. So if you’ve tried Epiduo before, we ask that you post a review by scrolling down below. It won’t take much of your time.

What Is Epiduo?

Epiduo is a topical gel that combines the effects of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide to treat mild to moderate acne. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria responsible for acne and prevents acne from coming back. Though this ingredient is found to be really effective against acne, acne sufferers often experience drying of their skin due to this substance.

The other active ingredient found in Epiduo is Adapalene. Adapalene is a retinoid that helps unclog pores so that swelling, inflammation and redness commonly associated with acne is prevented. Through benzoyl peroxide’s anti bacterial ability and adapalene’s unclogging components, acne breakouts are expected to be cured and prevented from becoming full-blown.

Though this product is for all ages, based on its site, you can see that their target market is teens or young adult. And what do users of Epiduo have to say? Most of the testimonials we’ve seen so far point out to very favorable opinion regarding this product. Many of them express great relief for having found the product and strongly recommend it to other users as well.

It is also pointed out that because Epiduo takes care of many factors that cause acne, it may also be a good treatment for whiteheads and blackheads. Of course, an anti-acne product with strong ingredients like Epiduo should have side effects that users will have to take note of.The most common side effects attributed to benzoyl peroxide and adapalene use are peeling and flaking, burning, itching, and redness and irritation. It is recommended that once a user exhibits these side effects, immediate consultation with a physician should be done right away.

Product Details

Who is it for?

For people with mild to moderate acne of all ages, though the website of Epiduo targets young adults mostly.

How long to see results?

During first two weeks, the acne may seem to appear worsening which is an indication that the product is working. It takes 8 to 12 weeks to see the full actual results of the medication.

Ingredients

Epiduo comes in a topical gel form and contains two very active ingredients: benzoyl peroxide and adapalene. Benzoyl peroxide is widely used as an anti-acne agent. It has the ability to effectively kill bacteria that causes acne. Adapalene on the other hand clears and clogs the pores to prevent swelling and redness.

Side effects

Many users report dryness of skin as result of using the product, which some of them countered by using moisturizers. Other side effects are peeling and flaking, redness and swelling.

Direction for use

Epiduo is applied to all areas affected by acne only once a day.

Price

45 gm- $109.99; 90 gm- $180.99

Guarantee

None

The good:

  • Effective at clearing the signs of acne
  • Applied only once a day
  • Comes in topical gel form

The bad:

  • Have several side effects
  • Quite expensive
  • No money back guarantee

Verdict:

The combination of benzoyl peroxide and adalene holds a lot of promise. Despite the apparent side effects of Epiduo, they seem to be tolerable with the many benefits of the product. If you have enough money, you may try this product, but be warned the maker does not offer any kind of money back guarantee.

Aczone Reviews

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The main purpose of this review is to encourage real users of Aczone to come out and rate the product and as much as possible write a short comment about their experience of using the product. While we feel that our thorough examination and testing of the product gives us enough right to make a good judgment, we still want other users to give their thoughts about Aczone. So, if you have tried Aczone before, we want to hear from you. Kindly scroll below to post your review.

What is Aczone?

Aczone  is a topical gel containing the drug ‘Dapsone’ and  it is used to  treat acne. On their website, its manufacturers claim that Dapsone is a totally different ingredient than what is used by other anti-acne products. While we come across a supposed press release in August of 2009 regarding Allergan’s (Aczone manufacturer) misrepresentation of Aczone’s efficacy and safety issues, we still feel that we need to do our own review considering the fact that the product is still being widely distributed at present.

If ever that warning from FDA were true, the fact that Aczone is still available now could only mean that they must have done something to remedy the problem. We are not quick to point out that this particular brand is not good for you; in fact we want real users to post their reviews here on this page so we can better educate our readers on the benefits and dangers of Aczone.

Aczone is designed for inflammatory acne breakouts but warns people to visit their dermatologists to see if this kind of medication is right for them. Reviews by independent users of the product have mixed results. Some find the product totally worthless but most (around 75%) seem completely happy with the product. However, a very interesting point that can be seen from the reviews of these users is the fact that most of those who view it “worthless” or “a waste of money” have not realized that it is supposed to take 12 weeks before real improvement can really be seen. Twelve weeks is a long time, and many acne sufferers, obviously can’t take that long a time without any visible results. Other users have observed Aczone’s tendency to dry the skin and they recommended using moisturizers when using the product. Because the product is only available on prescription, it must not be used without a prescription from your dermatologist first.

Product Details

Who is it for?

Men and women who are suffering from acne but not younger than 12 years of age.

How long to see results?

Aczone does not work for everyone. Some experience immediate results. However, it takes at least 12 weeks before real results can be expected to happen.

Ingredients

The primary active ingredient of Aczone is Dapsone. For full list of ingredients, click here.

Side Effects

Most users experience drying of skin while others complain that their acne breakouts worsen since application of the topical gel. Effects of Aczone to fetuses is not known so it is advised that you consult your doctor about the product if you are pregnant. The main ingredient of Aczone which is called dapsone is found to lower hemoglobin level when taken orally. Although topical application of dapsone does not pose the same risks as oral dapsone, users are still being alerted to any signs of anemia such as breathlessness, tiredness and high fever, among others. For full list of potential side effects, click here:

Directions For Use

Use the product as directed by your dermatologist. Usually, application of the topical gel should only be about as much as a pea size. Apply directly and completely on affected areas.

Price

30 gm-$182.00; 60 gm- $352.20; 90 gm-$528.30

Guarantee

None.

The Good:

  • Topical gel, no need to orally take any medications
  • Treats varying degrees of acne problems, even severe cases

The Bad

  • No guarantee
  • Expensive
  • Requires prescription

Verdict:
As our research suggests, Aczone does not work for everyone and you must first visit your dermatologist to ascertain if this medication is right for you. Seeing as it is very expensive, we suggest you only try this after you’ve exhausted other means of acne treatments.

 


Retin-A Reviews

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Everyone’s body is different to a certain extent, and so acne treatments won’t provide equal results for everyone. However, we believe that real user reviews of an acne treatment can provide a good indication of the probability that an acne treatment will also work for others. The main purpose of this page is therefore for the real users of Retin-A to post reviews of their experience with this product. If you have used Retin-A for acne, we would love to hear from you. Kindly scroll down below to post a review.

What Is Retin-A?

Retin-A is a type of tretinoin, which contains vitamin A and which is topically applied to the skin for the treatment of acne. As topical treatments go, Retin-A is fairly hardcore and is supposed to be available only by prescription, though there are numerous unscrupulous vendors online who seem willing to sell it with or without a prescription.

Nevertheless, it would be wise to consult with a dermatologist before using Retin-A as it contains some powerful ingredients and is capable of some pretty severe, albeit rare, side effects such as swelling of the face, hives and breathing problems. Less severe and far more common side effects include redness, dryness and irritation of the skin. Another known side effect of Retin-A is hypersensitivity to sunlight, so try to avoid direct sun exposure when taking Retin-A and if you are in the sun, don’t forget to wear sun screen.

As usual with our reviews, what we’re most concerned about is what the actual people who have used Retin-A are saying. Our researchers were able to find in the region of 2,200 real user Retin-A reviews, of which around 78% were positive in the sense that the persons in question had significant positive results in terms of reduction in the symptoms of acne, albeit at the price of the typical dryness and mild irritation side effects. If you are going to try Retin-A please be sure to come back here and post your review for the benefit of our readers.

Product Details

Who Is It For?

Men and Women with moderate to severe acne who have consulted with a qualified professional (preferably a dermatologist).

How Long To See Results?

Significant positive results can occur between 1 to several months after first application. Users should be aware that it is not unusual for purging to occur (skin will get worse before getting better).

Ingredients

(Click here for comprehensive description of ingredients).

Side Effects

Common side effects include dryness, redness and irritation. Less common and more severe side effects include, swelling, breathing difficulties, hives and hypersensitivity to sunlight.

Directions For Use

As prescribed by qualified professional.

Price

Prices differ depending on strength of the mixture (Retin-A cream contains tretinoin by weight in 0.1%, 0.05% and 0.025%). A 20gm tube of 0.025% strength will typically cost around $120.00.

Guarantee

None.

The Good:

  • Works On The Majority Of People

The Bad:

  • Powerful Ingredients (Has Side Effects)
  • Expensive
  • No Guarantee

Verdict:

If you are hellbent on significantly reducing the signs of acne, even at the cost of almost certain side effects, the Retin-A may be the thing for you. Just be sure to get it under prescription from a qualified professional.

Accutane Reviews

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While in most cases an acne treatment will not be as effective (if at all) on some people as it is on others, the results experienced by actual users of a treatment may provide a good indication as to the chances of that treatment working for you. The main purpose of this page is therefore for the real users of the prescription acne treatment ‘Accutane’ to post reviews of their results with this treatment. If you have used Accutane for your acne, we would love to hear from you. Kindly scroll down below to post your review.

What Is Accutane?

Accutane or ’Isotretinoin’ is a prescription oral acne medication, and a fairly hardcore one at that. Typically prescribed by dermatologists for those looking to bring out the big guns on severe and stubborn acne, Accutane is by far the most popular acne drug in its class. Like most prescription drugs, however, Accutane is not without its fair share of side effects and surrounding controversy. As with all prescription drugs, the side effects of Accutane are experienced differently in some people than others, in terms of which side effects occur and their degree of severity. However, most people can typically expect to experience some degree of redness, dryness and/or irritation of the skin from using Accutane. Some unlucky few experience more severe side effects like hair loss/thinning and joint pain.

As you will know if you have read other reviews on this site, what we really like to see when researching an acne treatment is lots of independent and unbiased reports from people that have actually used that treatment. When it comes to Accutane, there is no shortage of these. Our researchers were able to peruse in the region of 2,400 real user reviews of Accutane. Now, while Accutane must never be taken without the supervision of a qualified professional, preferably a dermatologist, the decision ultimately rests with you as to whether or not you want to take it, and so it is nice to have the benefit of being able to know what other peoples’ experiences have been like.

So, what is the general consensus on Accutane? Out of the approximate 2,400 reviews our researchers browsed through, around 80% were positive and would recommend that other acne sufferers use it. Like most orally administered acne treatments, Accutane takes a while to really work it’s magic. Most successful users talk of having completely clear skin within 1,5 to 2 months. The downside however is that your acne may well come back when treatment is discontinued.

Product Details

Who Is It For?

Men and women suffering from severe acne and who have consulted with a qualified practitioner.

How Long To See Results?

Generally 1.5 to 2 months for very noticeable results.

Ingredients

Click here for a full list of ingredients.

Side Effects

Most users experience drying and irritation of the skin. Others experience more severe side effects like joint pain, hair loss and others. More severe side effects like liver disease and depression are possible but apparently unlikely. Click here for a full list of potential severe side effects.

Direction For Use

As prescribed by qualified practitioner.

Price

10mg – Approx. $150.00 for 90 capsules;  20 mg – Approx. $200.00 for 90 capsules; 40mg – Between $250.00 to $350.00 for 90 capsules.

Guarantee

None.

The Good:

  • Works For Most People
  • Results Are Significant

The Bad:

  • Dryness/Irritation Side Effect is Common
  • Side Effects Can Be Quite Severe
  • Expensive

Verdict:

Accutane is powerful stuff and definitely has side effects, but in terms of clearing acne there is no oral treatment known to be more effective. Just be sure to make an informed decision with a qualified practitioner before taking it.

 

 

Benzaclin Reviews

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The purpose of this page is for the real users of the Benzaclin topical acne treatment to post a review of their results from using Benzaclin. If you have used Benzaclin and had results, good or bad, kindly scroll below to rate the product and provide any comments you wish to add.

What Is Benzaclin?

Designed for those really looking to bring out the big guns on the symptoms of acne, Benzaclin is a prescription topical acne treatment which combines potent acne-fighting ingredients benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin. It used to made by Dermik Laboratories, which manages the United States dermatology business for the well-known pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis. It is now made and sold by Sanofi Aventis at a significantly lower price.

Often recommended for sufferers of moderate (not severe) acne, there is no doubt that the potent formula found in Benzaclin is effective at clearing acne, including pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. A small percentage of users report worsening of breakouts in the first three weeks of use, however our researches perused over a thousand testimonials, of which approximately 80% reported significant and positive results within the first few weeks of using Benzaclin and total clearing of the skin after a couple of months. A small percentage of users also reported becoming immune to Benzaclin after two to three years of use.

Benzaclin does clear up acne, like most prescription drugs these results come at a price and not just the financial kind. Benzaclin is powerful stuff and it does have side effects. The overwhelming majority (over 90%) of users report that Benzaclin dries up the skin significantly, although most users who report this side affect agree that it is a worthy price to pay for what Benzaclin does to their acne.

Product Details

Who Is It For?

Males and female sufferers of moderate acne aged 12 to 65 years.

Ingredients

Benzaclin comes in gel form and comprises two active ingredients: benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin. Benzoyl peroxide is well known for its ability to reduce inflammations and dry the oil which exacerbates acne. It is a very common ingredient found in topical acne treatments. Clindmycin is an antibiotic, also known for its ability to reduce inflammation but it also has powerful anti-bacterial properties.

Side Effects

Almost all users report severe drying of the skin. Other common side effects include irritation and redness of the skin, itching and peeling. The active ingredient clindamycin may also cause diarrhea in a very small percentage of users.

Directions For Use

Benzaclin gel should be applied to the affected areas twice per day, morning and evening.

Price

Online prices range from $99,00 to $199,00 for 50 grams. Retail prices are significantly higher.

Guarantee

None

The Good:

  • Effective At Clearing The Symptoms Of Acne
  • Works Quickly

The Bad:

  • Most Users Experience Adverse Side Effects (Drying Of The Skin)
  • Expensive
  • May Stop Working After 2 -3 Years Of Use.

The Verdict:

Benzaclin definitely clears acne up, but its expensive price tag and side effects lead us to conclude that there are better alternatives. We do not recommend Benzaclin for those looking for a healthy and sustainable solution to their acne problem.