Should I start with The Anti-Aging Solutionᴿˣ or step up to the Advanced version?
The Anti-Aging Solutionᴿˣ is our first-line prescription formula — built around tretinoin, ideal for fine lines, early texture changes, and dullness. The Advanced Anti-Aging Solutionᴿˣ is the maximum-strength tier — built around tazarotene, a next-generation retinoid stronger than tretinoin, formulated for deeper wrinkles, loss of firmness, and visible photoaging that hasn't responded to first-line treatment. If you're not sure, take the assessment. A board-certified dermatologist on your care team will tell you which one matches where your skin actually is — not where you think it should be.
How is tazarotene different from tretinoin?
Tazarotene is a next-generation prescription retinoid that's typically more potent than tretinoin and is used when deeper texture, tone, and firmness concerns need stronger support. That power comes with a sharper adjustment period: more dryness, more peeling, more sensitivity, especially in the first 4 to 8 weeks. That's why the Advanced formula includes ceramides and Centella asiatica for barrier support — they make tazarotene livable. If your skin has plateaued on tretinoin, this is typically the next step.
Will I 'purge' on tazarotene if I don't have acne?
If you don't have active breakouts, you typically won't experience a breakout-style purge. What you may experience instead is a more pronounced adjustment period than with first-line tretinoin: moderate dryness, peeling, or sensitivity for 2 to 8 weeks as your skin acclimates to the higher-strength active. The ceramides and Centella asiatica in the formula are included specifically to keep this phase manageable. If it gets uncomfortable, message us and we'll adjust your ramp-up or your formula.
Can I use this with my current skincare routine, or do I have to start over?
Most of your routine can stay. Gentle cleansers, hydrating serums, broad-spectrum SPF (non-negotiable on tazarotene), and barrier-supporting moisturizers all pair well with The Advanced Anti-Aging Solutionᴿˣ. What you should pause: other topical retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, additional tazarotene, retinol), strong exfoliants like glycolic acid or salicylic acid at high concentrations, vitamin C serums at night (use them in the morning instead), and physical scrubs. A board-certified dermatologist on your care team will review your current products during your assessment and tell you exactly what to keep, what to drop, and what to add.
Is The Advanced Anti-Aging Solutionᴿˣ safe with pregnancy, nursing, or other medications?
The assessment specifically asks. The Advanced Anti-Aging Solutionᴿˣ contains tazarotene, which is FDA Pregnancy Category X — it is contraindicated during pregnancy due to risk of birth defects, and effective contraception is required during treatment for anyone who could become pregnant. It is also not recommended while nursing. If any of these apply to you, a board-certified dermatologist on your care team will route you to a safer alternative. If we can't safely prescribe for you, we'll tell you before charging you. We don't write prescriptions that shouldn't be written.
When will I see results?
Most people start noticing a real shift between weeks 8 and 12 with consistent nightly use. Here's roughly what to expect: weeks 1–2 are the adjustment period. Weeks 3–6, your texture starts to smooth and your tone begins to even out. Weeks 6–12, deeper lines look softer and your skin looks firmer. Beyond 12 weeks, the collagen-building and sun-damage-correcting work compounds over months and years. Maximum-strength treatment is steady, not dramatic — but the results hold, and they're the strongest thing in topical anti-aging short of in-office procedures.