Tolak and Redness: What Users Say

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2023

For Actinic Keratosis "My first 3 days, there was little evidence of use. I've now applied for 12 straight days, and I'm very red and blotchy, with some signs of flakiness. I've been living with a burning sensation on my face, but it was so bad last night I couldn't sleep. I'm struggling to make 14 nights, but hope my dermatologist says I don't have to keep applying... I don't think I can keep going!"

• Has...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "Instructed by my dermo to apply cream mornings each day for 4 weeks - wash face at night with a gentle cleanser. Today is day #19, so I am well into my 3rd week. Results are dramatic. I do look like a zombie from Michael Jackson's Thriller video, but apparently that is a good thing - it's working. Lots of red splotches including my neck, which I included besides my face. First signs of scabbing, which is the next phase. Can't wait. I just hope that things clear up quickly after day #28. Not much fun, especially in public, but most likely worth the aggravation."

• Kal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2022

For Actinic Keratosis "This is day 27, the last of 4 weeks of use of the cream, putting it on in the evening after washing and drying the affected areas. In the first 2 weeks, nothing much happened, some redness, a little soreness in one or two places. I felt a little dizzy on a couple of occasions. In the third week, the spots began to become apparent, and flakes of stiff dry skin began to peel away from the worst areas. In this last week, the redness has increased, the spots have gone darker and darker, and some scabs have formed. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be peak horror according to the literature that I was given with the prescription. After that, it should start to subside. Right now, when I look in the mirror, I see an unfamiliar walk-on part from a rubbish zombie film, and it feels as if I have a layer of stiff chili-based lacquer painted on my face and forehead. Whenever I've been outside, I've worn a broad-brimmed bush hat to shade my face from the sun."

• Blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2018

For Actinic Keratosis "Used this once daily for two weeks on my cheek. After the last day, I was out in December sun for approximately an hour in LA, with sunscreen. However, days later, I developed swelling and then large blisters, which healed with large scabs. Thankfully, when they fell off, I was left with only red skin, with a few blood spots under the skin. All healed over in three weeks. Unfortunately, this experience has left me weary of using it again."

• Sue...
• March 22, 2023

For Actinic Keratosis "Stopped applying Tolak yesterday. Now burning and itching in affected areas. Some scabbing and very red blotches too. The burning and itching is extremely uncomfortable. I hope the results in a few weeks will be worth it."

• Bus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2025

For Keratosis "Used for 6 weeks in total, but with only 4 weeks application to any one place. Started with hands, then forearms, back of neck and face. After completing all these, I am now doing my ears for the next 2 weeks. My skin quickly covered with horrible red blotches. I had lots of weeping from the back of my neck (and now ears), especially when in contact with a pillow. The red patches eventually scabbed over but still oozed fluid initially before drying and were extremely itchy the entire scab time. I looked like a monster from a 1950s horror film the whole time. Uncomfortable - yes! Worth it - yes!!!!! I knew I had massive skin damage and it was good to see it exfoliated. Most of the scab is now off my hands and arms (due to scratching and pulling at scale), and the underlying redness of the new skin is starting to fade. My left hand and forearm have the deepest and most enduring scabs, while my neck, face, and right hand/arm are already scab free."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2025

For Actinic Keratosis "This is my 2nd time using Tolak. The first time was 3 years ago or so, and my ears lit up like firecrackers and scabbed and peeled, red spots/splotches on other areas. This time after day 4, I started seeing a reaction. I am now on day 11 (3 to go), and my cheeks and around my nose are RED, scaly, hot, and itchy. I have red spots around my chin, my scalp, and at my temples like measles. The itching is worse this time than last, not sure if it is based upon the area being larger this time (vs. the ears last time). I do wonder why my cheeks did not light up last time I used it, like this time. I am one that uses sunscreen with zinc oxide so no further damage on cheeks should have been done since last usage. The burning/itching usually starts about an hour after applying the Tolak cream. I then put on a petroleum jelly that was prescribed for it. It keeps the itching/burning down so I can sleep at night. I cover my pillow with a hand towel to keep the scabs/petroleum/leakage off of my pillows."

• Gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2025

For Actinic Keratosis "I'm very new to this medication, presently on day #7. I have all the familiar symptoms: redness, itchiness, stinging, etc. I will be evaluated in 5 weeks by the dermatologist after completing the 2-week Tolak regimen. If I can avoid any more cancer surgeries on my face and ears, and there have been several, the inconvenience that this medication produces will be well worth tolerating the uncomfortable symptoms of this medication. I can only hope and pray that this medicine will kill any cancer cells lurking below the outer skin's surface. Keep your children safe from this dreaded condition by limiting sun exposure and using a sunscreen of 30 or more when spending time outdoors. Lying on the beach and baking under the sun will not bode well in the later years. I'm speaking from experience! I've rated this medicine a 5 because I'm just in the beginning stages of trying to arrest the pre-cancer symptoms and won't know the outcome for several more weeks/months."