In the world of skin ageing, retinoids remain some of the most effective products around for reducing wrinkles, improving skin tone and texture and fading hyperpigmentation. There are over the counter retinol products available that can be used for this purpose and stronger prescription retinoids such as Tretinoin that are proven to be effective at treating acne, unclogging blocked pores and reducing psoriasis plaques. A less well known prescription retinoid is tazarotene cream uk which works on a similar basis but has been shown to be better at improving keratosis pilaris.
Retinoids are a group of drugs that work to stimulate the growth of new skin cells, reduce hyperpigmentation and decrease inflammation in the skin. They are most commonly used for treating conditions such as acne and psoriasis, but they can also be useful in reducing the appearance of keratosis pilaris. The drug can be bought as a gel, lotion or foam that is applied directly to the face. The gel is most common and typically sold under the brand name Tazorac. A generic version of this drug is also available and it has been shown to be just as effective.
Tazarotene is an RAR agonist that is thought to work by stimulating the production of collagen and elastic fibres in the skin. This action is also thought to improve the skin’s elasticity, making it firmer and more supple. It may also slow down the process of cell turnover, preventing a build-up of dead skin cells that leads to the formation of blemishes such as blackheads and whiteheads. A small pilot study10 in 10 subjects showed that daily application of 0.1% tazarotene cream to photodamaged facial skin for 12 weeks led to a statistically significant increase in the thickness of the epidermis and a reduction in tactile skin roughness.
It is important to mention that this product should not be used by people who have eczema as it can cause severe irritation in these individuals. It is also not recommended for use during pregnancy, as it contains a type of drug called a retinoid and this has been shown to harm a developing fetus in studies conducted on mice.
The same precautions should be taken when using this topical medication as with any other retinoid. It should not be used with any other medications or cosmetics that contain a strong drying effect. These include products such as erythromycin, tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. It is also recommended to avoid sun exposure while using this cream as it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
It is not known whether tazarotene passes into breast milk, but it has been shown to enter the milk of rats at levels that are likely to be harmful to a nursing infant. Therefore, women who are breastfeeding or who plan to become pregnant should not use this medication. It is also important to note that this medication can be dangerous if you drink alcohol or take certain other types of medication that can increase your blood pressure.