Topical retinoids are a rational choice for maintenance therapy due to their activity on microcomedones (the precursor for all acne lesions). Nevertheless, there is a paucity of data evaluating this use in a maintenance setting. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with moderate to severe inflammatory acne who have achieved a good level of clearance (eg>/= 75%) can maintain the improvement in their acne using maintenance therapy. THe study compared the efficacy of three maintenance therapies (topical tazarotene, oral minocycline, and topical tazarotene plus oral minocycline) in sustaining the clinical improvement attained after initial topical tazarotene plus oral minocycline therapy.