acne increase on T

[Clint Lovelace]

Over the past week or two the body acne I have experienced has gotten worse. Primarily on my forehead and upper chest and shoulders. I have tried a new body wash that is supposed to be anti-bacterial and help with this but it has not helped. Any suggestions or ideas what may be causing it?

 

[bruin]

what you are describing is a typical side effect, I experienced the same on my upper back and upper arms, while acne, a rather mild version. no pustules, or discoloration, but a light case of acne. I bought a body wash and a scrub and a topical solution all with a 2% salycic acid. would just scrub, wash, then apply before I got dressed and acne is gone.

 

[Hydranted]

Have you had your estradiol levels checked recently? Elevated E2 usually seems to be the cause of acne while on TRT.

 

[Clint Lovelace]

They were checked last week (before this really got this bad) but I am waiting on the results now.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Besides what the guys have said above, zinc supplementation (30-50 mg per day plus 3 mg of copper), washing your body with Nizoral shampoo, reducing your high fat and sugar intake, and this soap work great:

Calming Zinc ® Bar Soap

There is also good information about acne caused by TRT here:


TRT Side Effect Management: Acne

Acne on back

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Terrible chest acne

 

[Vince Carter]

I'm using the OTC Nizoral 1% and am thinking of asking for the prescription (I think 2%?) strength. One thing is I alternate with Niz and a Sal Acid 2% body wash, I also use 91% Alcohol that I rub over my traps and delts twice a day. It's helping. I had an outbreak that I swear went back to when I experimented with HCG @ 400iu EOD. I'm past it but get an ugly pimple still, the area has the hyperpigmentation spots that are fading. But that's what I'm using lately.

 

[CoastWatcher]

I'm using the OTC Nizoral 1% and am thinking of asking for the prescription (I think 2%?) strength. One thing is I alternate with Niz and a Sal Acid 2% body wash, I also use 91% Alcohol that I rub over my traps and delts twice a day. It's helping. I had an outbreak that I swear went back to when I experimented with HCG @ 400iu EOD. I'm past it but get an ugly pimple still, the area has the hyperpigmentation spots that are fading. But that's what I'm using lately.

I have used the Nizoral/2% (otc here in Canada) for some time. Same sorts of issues (but milder), and find it worked very well.

 

[bigfred32]

I have naturally high DHT so when I started trt, it went through the roof and I broke out with pimples and acne. Dermatologist put me on old school tetracycline, said you can take it long term usually without any adverse effects. Cleared me up quickly with no issues.

 

[captq]

I had the acne issue for the first month or two and once again when I upped my dose from 150 MG every two weeks to 200 MG every two weeks.
I take Zinc and shower 2-3 times per day using a simple anti bacterial soap like Dial.
This seems to work for me but still get an occasional one or two

 

[Nelson Vergel]

From Jeffrey Dach MD:

"Reducing or Eliminating Acne with Pantethine and L Carnitine

Using the modified Leung B5 protocol with Pantethine 750 mg with 250 mg of L Carnitine three times a day, we have noted excellent success rates in reducing or eliminating acne. An added advantage is a good cosmetic result with smaller pore size and smoother skin. The vitamins are safe with no adverse side effects noted."

 

[GEORGE TOULIATOS]

Acne is related to DHT and nutrition as well.Hyperglycemic simple carbs and SFAs should be avoided.Sugar is a perfect substrate for microbes,since it promotes the release of an inflammatory hormone,insulin.Saturated fat makes skin to produce more sebum,where particles and microbes are traped.Testosterone makes skin oily,due to sebum hyperproduction.As particles are trapped withing sebaceous glands of hair follicles,inflammation in epidermis occurs.Ethanol could sterilize and dry skin,before applying azelaic acid cream and clindamicine lotion.UV radiation could also be helpful,along with anti-bacterial pharmaceutical soaps.

 

[Helboi]

I didn't realize Zinc could help with Acne. Maybe that's why the outbreak on my legs has died down some since I began taking it (I thought it was more about it not being hot in summer...legs sweating at night while sleeping).

 

[TestAdvocate]

For me, it seems to come and go. Definitely a lot less now that I have E2 down just a bit. When and if the acne comes though, the Zinc Soap and Nizoral Shampoo has definitely been effective. Since other guys have mentioned Saliac Acid Shampoos, I thought I would share ones I've found:


This is a Nutragena Shampoo with 3% Salic Acid
https://jet.com/product/detail/f22f...0MKachM61Z1raoPiRHliqLNXh6o_AOhHe4aApVg8P8HAQ


This shampoo is for pets....it has 2% Salic and 2% Benzol Peroxide.....a lot of guys say they have success with this:
http://www.chewy.com/dog/dermabenss...-4J8x6UwI1AamRshQzM5gIkq0vJOehUxEEaAqpl8P8HAQ

 

[Vince Carter]

Thanks for sharing those two products, I'll consider the 3% sal.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Good links, re: shampoo. Many thanks.

 

[eli]

I get acne only when E2 is up! on my back, behind my shoulders mostly

 

[GEORGE TOULIATOS]

You have a point on that,since acne seems to brake out after a cycle is over,during PCT.
Estrogens and cortisol are sky high

 

[Fireproof]

I get acne only when E2 is up! on my back, behind my shoulders mostly

Me too!! Seems very related to high E2 for me...and shoulders and back are my acne-prone zones too...

 

[PAUL-E]

The only 2 thing that have helped my acne are an AI for high E2 and Nizoral shampoo as a body wash I have oily skin and have tried all sorts of acne products and body washes b5 zinc copper you name it, the only thing I have not tried is Accutane so just wanted to say thanks for recommending Nizoral shampoo I've noticed significant improvements