Tactupump/Epiduo Gel

[beautylove34343]

Hey everyone! So I recently went to the doctor- after battling my cystic acne and trying everything in the books I gave up. He prescribed me Tactupump (I’m from Canada I think it’s called Epiduo Gel elsewhere). The pharmacist told me it was definitely going to be a painful process, as it is thinning the top layer of your skin so that bacteria doesn’t get trapped in it anymore. So the first two days I didn’t notice any pain or anything just tightness, but after the third day, the skin around my undereyes was STINGING. Now this is not supposed to be used as a spot treatment, so I thought okay I just won’t put it nearly as close to my eyes and just further down, this shouldn’t be a problem. Last night I didn’t put it on my under eye, but my skin swelled up insanely. It was so red and sore, and when I woke up this morning there was huge dry patches. I just want to see if anyone else has had a similar experience with this stuff and if it does get better? The pharmacist said it was going to get way worse before it got better so I don’t want to go see a doctor just yet. Mainly just a little concerned this is not normal and I’m allergic to it? Thank you all in advance 🥰

[rocdoc]

I know this thread is from at least a year ago but for anyone looking for more info on Tactupump, I've been using it since summer 2018. If you're a first time user, start slow. First my derm recommended I stop all the serums and actives which had caused my skin to go into overdrive. I started with Tactupump (not Forte which might cause more irritation). Use a gentle cleanser, like CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. Then put on a good moisturiser (I use CeraVe) and put on a little extra around the eyes, the corners of the mouth and the nose. This extra will act as a buffer when you put on your Tactupump. Pump a pea-size or smaller amount and rub it all over your face (this was recommended by my doctor who said that using it all over helps, even if you only see acne on a certain region on your face). For the first month, I used Tactupump every other day (or more). Don't let it get near your eyes and mouth and nose, it will itch like crazy and cause redness/irritation. Tip #:1 do NOT wax. I waxed my upper lip while using the medication, and it caused a severe reaction--large red flat raised sensitive bumps on face (don't worry if this happens it you.. SImply stop using Tactpump until it goes away. I put some burn medication to soothe, heavy non-fragranced moisturiser and makeup to disguise it). You can safely tweeze instead. Or wait a couple or more days not using Tactupump, in order to wax, wait a few days and then use the medication again. Also tip #2: wear sunscreen every morning, like copious amounts. Make sure that you are protecting your face because Tactupump maeks you very sensitive to the sun. It definitely causes a burning sensation, itchiness and for me, was sometimes so unbearable that I couldn't sleep. I recommend just using a soft cloth to gently wipe off the medication of those days. I saw big improvements within the past year, with a reduction in texture and acne. I moved onto T Forte which has 0.3% Adaplene. 

[JeannieBeans]

Hey! Seems like it’s been a while since you’ve posted and I was wondering if you can give us an update? I’ve recently started (October 2019) TactuPump gel and am on my 4th week. The purge started at the second-third week: I got really big and tender cysts. Now moving onto the 4th week, seems like things have calmed down a bit so, instead of large painful cysts, they’re smaller red bumps everywhere on my face (which honestly doesn’t look as bad as the angry swollen ones but still doesn’t look great bc of all the texture it creates). Anyways, was just curious of your experience and I am really hoping that you’ll say you have clear skin now.

[maya111111111]

hi!! i know it’s been a while since anyone’s posted in this little community but i was wondering if anyone has tips on applying tactupump forte on your back. i’ve been using it on my face for a while and i’m about to start applying it on my back and i don’t really know how to approach it. i also have been trying to do research about it but i’ve had no luck.  if anyone has any tips or could tell me their routine for backne on tactupump it would be super helpful! ❤️❤️

[thelovelyamari]

I’ve been using Tactupump since I was 12 religiously. I’m now 21 and my skin still has mild-moderate acne. When I was 12 I had a lot on my forehead and by the time I was 17 it totally cleared up and is still perfectly clear! (not sure if it was the product or something else). My acne now is mainly on my cheeks and I haven’t really seen any change in my skin since I was 17. I stopped using it one time for like 2 weeks when I was 18 and my skin flared up with acne. Tactupump keeps my skin “under control” I guess you could say but it hasn’t fully got rid of my acne or prevented it from reoccurring.

Hope this helps & that your skin clears up soon!! xx

[AshleyNicole99]

Did you continue with it @JeannieBeans 

Curious, as I'm now at the stage where you were when you posted this, lol

[JeannieBeans]

Hey! I’m just about to finish week 9 and I feel like the acne which had spread ALL OVER my face has gone down but I still have acne (a cluster on my right cheek, a few on my jawline and small bumps on my forehead). Tbh, since I posted I haven’t had the confidence to go out, unless it’s for work or grocery’s shopping... I was hoping it would clear up by December so that I would look better for all the holiday parties I have to go to 😞 but I feel like it won’t... fingers crossed that it’ll clear up by month 3 and best of luck to you and your skin journey!

[4nita]

My doctor prescribed me Tactupump Forte, which is (I think) the extra strength version. Thank goodness, my insurance covered it because it was over $200!! The pharmacist instructed me to use it every other day, once a day at first so my skin can get used to it, so I think you might need to decrease your dosage. Even when I used it sparingly at first, I noticed my skin was drying out very quickly and left flakey patches in certain spots. My previous moisturizer was just not enough to keep up with the Tactupump and I bought the DE Lala Retro Whipped Cream and it saved my skin!! It does sound like you're having a minor allergic reaction to it or that you're just using too much at first. Try using it every other day and only once a night AND moisturize like crazy. Tactupump Forte seriously saved my face, I would definitely recommend it to people with insurance that covers it.

[TrysBeautyItems]

@beautylove34343 Back off using it nightly. You don't need to use nightly, a few times a week is ok, I'm using differin my derm said not to use nightly. Spf daily is a must, it contains a strand of retinol.

After cleansing wait awhile before applying, moisture allows products to get into the skin faster and irritation possibly. After tactumpump dries down, apply moisturizer. Only apply a small amount of tactumpump, pea sized, to the entire face, you might be using too much.

What exact skincare products are you using, in addition to tactumpump?

Do *not* use any acne ingredients with tactumpump, it will be over doing it. I'm using La Roche Posay 2x day without issues with Differin. What percentage do you have?

Tactumpump also contains benzoyl peroxide, which can be irritating - I've had a burn from it. Differin is similar but no BP.

[suzyo]

@beautylove34343  I know this video isn't about Tactupump specifically, but there are some really good tips in it. 

[cianni]

@suzyo ohhh I love this account!! I’ve watched so many of her videos for info 🤗

[suzyo]

@beautylove34343  I haven't used Tactupump, but I've used Differin which is similar to Tactupump (it's adapalene, the same percentage, but no benzoyl peroxide). Most people who use products like this start off every other night, or even every 2 nights, until they get a feel for how their skin will react. Then you would slowly use it more often as your skin adapts, until you are able to use it nightly. As far as the side effects you are experiencing, did the pharmacist give you a list when picked up your script? With adapalene by itself, there will be peeling, redness, dryness and itchiness. Can I ask what the rest of your skincare routine is? 

To keep the Tactupump away from your eyes, you could apply a heavy eye cream, or even Vaseline, or coconut oil, or whatever you have on hand to your eye area first (lips too, if you find they are getting super dry). This sould create a barrier, then apply the Tactupump. 

[beautylove34343]

Thank you so much for replying, My current face routine is wash with a warm cloth in the morning, I use Clinique moisturizer, then at the end of the day I wash my makeup off with a wipe then wash it with purity and a Konjac sponge. Every second day I applied Sunday Riley UFO drops, and I also have a spot treatment I would put on cystic acne when flared up. But I had tiny bumps all over my face, and my pores on my cheeks were horrendous. I think I might do the every second day route because my skin is so angry at me. My pharmacist said it would sting and peel, but didn’t mention anything about swelling and that my skin looks like super textured under my eyes from it.

[suzyo]

@beautylove34343  I found layering products to be very helpful, a single moisturizer just won't cut it for me. You could try to either add a moisturizing serum, or an oil, or even both. If you like Clinique, you could try the Moisture Surge 72 hour Auto Replenishing Hydrator, and use it like a serum. So the routine would go Tactupump, Moisture Surge 72 hour, then your regular moisturizer. Or you could even apply the Moisture Surge first, then the Tactupump, and so on. If the swelling doesn't go away after you reduce usage I would definitely just call the doctor that prescribed it, you might not even have to see them in person. You could also try a sleeping mask, one that you would apply on top of moisturizer, as opposed to replacing moisturizer.

ETA: You might wanna ditch the wash cloth in the am and just use your hands, it could be too abrasive right now. Try to avoid any manual/physical exfoliation until your skin adjusts. I would also ditch the UFO oil, it has salicylic acid in it.