DHT, testosterone, and acne question

[zebum88]

Hello guys.

Back in May of 2017, I decided to do my first cycle. 300 mg of test a week for 12 weeks; that ended in August. I took clomid for pct, but about 3 weeks or so after starting noticed some large acne nodules on my lower back (the kind that have no head and are really deep in the skin) and later on my upper arms and shoulders. Since then, it has been a battle to keep them under control (ive tried MANY things from tea tree oil to doxycycline to vit b5 and zinc orals and topicals to salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to dish soap).

It was mostly isolated to my back and shoulders, but 2 months ago they started appearing on the sides of my ass cheeks. Since my cycle I have had bloodwork done, and as expected my test was low (around 300) and my estrogen was normal (though near the higher border). I was reading about DHT and its role in acne formation, but is it possible to have high DHT and low test? Ive had a few test booster shots and i always seem to get some relief from them but as soon as im off of them I get more new lesions. Currently I am getting at least one new lesion a day...does anyone have some advice?

Sidenote: ever since starting test, the least bit of physical activity makes me sweat, even after not being on it.

[RoxRunner]

Bummer man. You cycle and PCT are long gone from your system. To me it sounds more environmental than biological except for the sweating part. Have you had your dr look at them? Aside from T and E, how did your other blood levels look?

[AlphaMindz]

That's a great question and I'm actually interested in the answer myself, although I don't have low Test but I am having major issues with cystic acne on my back. When I started running Nandrolone my back exploded into a mine field of cystic acne like you wouldn't believe. My girl asked me if I was sick lol that's how bad it looks.

I've since stopped the Nandrolone and it's been about a month since my last shot but it's still happening just not as aggressively. So far I've found the best thing for it is going in the ocean and getting some sun on my back. If I can't get to the beach I'll just jump in the pool and make sure to get some sun on my back and that will clear it up a bit. From there I just try to wash my back several times a day and as soon after sweating as possible.

I found it interesting that you've had this ongoing problem even after stopping the Test. I'm assuming you activated a gene or something. I may have the same problem as it's been over a month since my last shot (of Nandrolone) and I'm still having a problem so I'm guessing it's not going away any time soon.

[zebum88]

Bummer man. You cycle and PCT are long gone from your system. To me it sounds more environmental than biological except for the sweating part. Have you had your dr look at them? Aside from T and E, how did your other blood levels look?

Everything else was normal. I want to start taking an herbal dht blocker to see if it makes any difference but am also worried about the effects on libido dht blockers have. In terms of environment, i moved from chicago to south Florida a year and a half ago, where it is hot and humid year round, but my skin didnt start giving me problems until 3 or so weeks after the cycle. Im going to be in Dallas for 5 days a week from weds so itll be interesting to see if the drier climate will have any effect.

[kelkel]

What do you mean "test booster shots"?
Why would you try and block DHT without knowing current levels?

[RoxRunner]

Everything else was normal. I want to start taking an herbal dht blocker to see if it makes any difference but am also worried about the effects on libido dht blockers have. In terms of environment, i moved from chicago to south Florida a year and a half ago, where it is hot and humid year round, but my skin didnt start giving me problems until 3 or so weeks after the cycle. Im going to be in Dallas for 5 days a week from weds so itll be interesting to see if the drier climate will have any effect.

Using a herbal dht blocker for a short time may not kill your libido while seeing if it clears up the acne.

With Alpha's comments, I wonder if you guys are having some sort of allergic reaction or something else since test and Nandrolone break down into different chemicals???

[zebum88]

What do you mean "test booster shots"?
Why would you try and block DHT without knowing current levels?

Every once in a while my doctor would suggest a boost of testosterone, usually only about 150mg. And with DHT blocking, that was my question: can you have low test and high DHT? Because my bloodwork didnt cover DHT but I had low test.

[Mr.BB]

Every once in a while my doctor would suggest a boost of testosterone, usually only about 150mg. And with DHT blocking, that was my question: can you have low test and high DHT? Because my bloodwork didnt cover DHT but I had low test.

Well, that is your problem. You can NOT do any kind of booster, it will shut you down or supress your test production severely. This is why you had low test, you have been injection testosterone in a random fashion without PCT.

As for acne, it is normal to break out after cycle if you are prone to it, that what happen to most guys. You can test DHT but it wont help to take any blockers, I take a real DHT blocker, finasteride. The best way to deal with acne it to prevent it before it happens, during cycle do treatments to prevent the p acnes bacteria to proliferate and block pores (exfoliation, salicylic acid, pdt treatments, skin cleanses, etc).

[zebum88]

Well, that is your problem. You can NOT do any kind of booster, it will shut you down or supress your test production severely. This is why you had low test, you have been injection testosterone in a random fashion without PCT.

As for acne, it is normal to break out after cycle if you are prone to it, that what happen to most guys. You can test DHT but it wont help to take any blockers, I take a real DHT blocker, finasteride. The best way to deal with acne it to prevent it before it happens, during cycle do treatments to prevent the p acnes bacteria to proliferate and block pores (exfoliation, salicylic acid, pdt treatments, skin cleanses, etc).

My test was low 3 months after the cycle, which was why he suggested a boost. And ive been using every measure to prevent new breakouts from forming, i even go in a red light bed every day. Yet new lesions seem to persist, even though its been as long as it has since the cycle completed.

[Mr.BB]

My test was low 3 months after the cycle, which was why he suggested a boost. And ive been using every measure to prevent new breakouts from forming, i even go in a red light bed every day. Yet new lesions seem to persist, even though its been as long as it has since the cycle completed.

Everytime you done a boost you set your recovery back a few months.

Red light doesnt do anything to acne, you need blue light. Work better after an exfoliation, a simple exfoliation and be simply ask someone rub a towel in your back after shower, more like scrubbing with enough force I mean lol.

[Quester]

Follow the above advice about hormones and how a booster is contraindicated for recovery from a cycle.
PLUS (some things that worked for me):
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If you break the skin of a zit, wipe it with an alcohol swab/alcohol soaked-cotton swab.
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Get a Panoxyl 10% bar (10% benzoil peroxide) or equivalent from walmart/target. Use it in the shower and leave the suds on for a little while before rinse. Then wash with your general soap (I use dove).
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Try using a lufa cloth to reach your entire back and provide exfoliation.
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Get a clarisonic brush, use the softer brush head and a good soap (from a dermatologist office). Apply it after general soap to the areas of back/butt/face that you can reach.
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Try finasteride topical. Look for it from the trt docs and the pharmacies they use, APS, in Florida, Olympia, in Fla, and Empower, in Houston. One of those is likely to have it. Get the info and take it to your doc so he can write you a script.
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I shower, morning and evening and try to have a workout before I shower, otherwise I shower after a workout.
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My acne is finally going away after popping up last July. It didn't exist for the last ten years and first 6 months of TRT. I think DHEA was the culprit.

[kelkel]

My test was low 3 months after the cycle, which was why he suggested a boost. And ive been using every measure to prevent new breakouts from forming, i even go in a red light bed every day. Yet new lesions seem to persist, even though its been as long as it has since the cycle completed.

Seriously, your doc is an idiot to do this to you. Listen to BB.