My HRT program, acne advise, thinking about going off TRT because of it.

**bucknut24** · 12-31-2011, 03:05 PM

I have been on HRT for 9 months. I am secondary hypo so my testes don't to produce enough. I started at 333 total T and 8.4 free with the reference interval being 8.7-25.1. My doc started me on 60mg of test cyp a week, 100mg DHEA cream and day and 250IU Hcg twice a week. He then moved to me to 80mg a week and then 50mg twice a week. The only real benefits I've received from it is increased sex drive, glucose and lipid profile improved alot and increased muscle mass. I've put on about 25 pounds of muscle. I've really become pretty addicted to going to the gym.

I don't have an issue with staying on the protocol but I am just so sick of dealing with the acne that I'm thinking about going off it.

I can deal with the body acne that comes and goes. It's the facial and scalp acne I don't think I can deal with anymore. It's really effected my self esteem and my love for life. I have been researching it and DHT can be a strong cause of acne. I know I must be really sensitive to DHT because I started developing male pattern baldness at the age 23. I'm now 38. I let my doctor know the situation and he said I could not block the DHT with a very effective drug I researched called Spiro. He moved me down to 40mg twice a week instead of 50. It hasn't really helped. I have tried several different topical treatments and oral antibiotics and it really isn't improving that much. Prior to being on HRT my face was never perfect but I didn't get it nearly as often as I do now.

I'm going to talk to my doctor one final time before I decide to go off on HRT, but I wanted to see if any of you guys have had any success controlling facial acne while on TRT. I'm going to really hate working hard in the gym and not getting the muscle and strength reward that I get now but not so much I'm not comfortable in my own skin...thanks

**Logonzo** · 12-31-2011, 04:08 PM

Once I started an AI my acne drastically improved. Basically my skin is almost identical prior to starting trt.

**Bigfoot66** · 12-31-2011, 06:39 PM

Believe it or not, the tanning bed 2x a week will help you drastically. Never would have thunk it myself but it did.

AI won't hurt either.

Try doing the tan bed about 4 weeks before making a decision.

Another help is swimming in a chlorinated pool.

**xelnaga** · 12-31-2011, 06:45 PM

You need to visit a dermatologist. They will put your mind at ease. Tanning beds cause cancer, over the counter creams can dry skin out and make your body produce more oil, and AI only go so far.

Dermatologists will most likely start you on rx creams and/or anti bacterial medication. If this doesn't begin to show signs of improvement I would push for accutane.

**HRTstudent** · 12-31-2011, 07:54 PM

I would probably not want people to go to the tanning bed, but I would say get more sunlight if you aren't getting enough now. Also, I am a little curious to know why your doc has you on the dhea cream. I don't know why or if it's necessary.

Also, you could see a derm but maybe you could lower the T dose. Get blood work done to find out what your T and estrogen levels are.

**fit2bOld** · 12-31-2011, 08:16 PM

I go to the Tanning booth once a week. Stand up type so you don't lay in some other persons gack. Keeps my back and ass blemish free.

**bucknut24** · 01-01-2012, 03:10 AM

thanks for all your responses guys. I used to tan a lot and I think it helped too. I've been reading that they can make acne marks darker and take much longer to fade though. I was hoping to get on a AI but after my sensitive estradiol came back 30 pg/ml and he didn't suggest it. Some guys said my estrogen levels were perfect and not to mess with it but I could get some liquidex if you think it would help.

As for the DHEA cream I don't know why I'm on it. I just do what my well known doctor from Michigan tells me to do.

**FONZY007** · 01-01-2012, 04:08 AM

Originally Posted by xelnaga

You need to visit a dermatologist. They will put your mind at ease. Tanning beds cause cancer, over the counter creams can dry skin out and make your body produce more oil, and AI only go so far.

Dermatologists will most likely start you on rx creams and/or anti bacterial medication. If this doesn't begin to show signs of improvement I would push for accutane.

I was put on accutane

**yannick35** · 01-01-2012, 07:17 AM

I also have acne and i was very prone to it when younger, i am now 39, yes it comes and goes.

Your results that you got at that small dosage where amazing 25 pounds of muscles. I will drop my dosage too. I really hope that if you do stop TRT you will feel good even, if i ever stop TRT my pain will come back, muscle spams and more so i need to stay on.

Adding an AI like armidex surely cannot hurt, i use masteron for an AI i guess i get double bang from this.

I used accutane when i was 18 years old to fix my acne, not cause by steroids btw, and it does have a lot of side effects on itself

**Bigfoot66** · 01-01-2012, 09:30 AM

I took Accutane as an adolescent in the 80s as part of the initial testing group. It messes with your hormones! I believe today that my T situation has something to do with that 18 mos I took Accutane.

I use the stand up bed too. 10 mins twice a week. Has not caused my scars to darken. Make sure you use an oil free base each time you finish fanning.

Originally Posted by yannick35

I also have acne and i was very prone to it when younger, i am now 39, yes it comes and goes.

Your results that you got at that small dosage where amazing 25 pounds of muscles. I will drop my dosage too. I really hope that if you do stop TRT you will feel good even, if i ever stop TRT my pain will come back, muscle spams and more so i need to stay on.

Adding an AI like armidex surely cannot hurt, i use masteron for an AI i guess i get double bang from this.

I used accutane when i was 18 years old to fix my acne, not cause by steroids btw, and it does have a lot of side effects on itself

**JD250** · 01-01-2012, 09:49 AM

When was your E2 tested? Your body will make changes during the first year of TRT, you've been on for 9 months and changed your body composition drastically, just because you've IMPROVED your composition from a healthy standpoint doesn't automatically mean that your E2 can go unchecked. My personal experience with acne has been somewhat bad too, I did two things that made a difference, sub Q test injections....which quite honestly I have zero proof that this made a huge difference but I think it made a little but the thing that made a big difference was when I raised my AI dose....plain and simple....the acne is very minor at this point. My point is that my body composition has changed too but obviously my e2 was rising slowly also......I need to have a blood test to know exactly what is happening but I can tell you the immediate results pointed to high e2. This is a common issue so please keep after it and REPORT on this thread what you discover, you will likely help someone else deal with the same problem. Don't give up bro, going off TRT isn't what you want.

Does DHEA effect acne? Anyone?

**bucknut24** · 01-02-2012, 12:53 AM

You guys are great. thank you for your time and comments. My E2 was tested two months ago. When I was on 60mg a week my E2 was 18. I then moved to 80mg and was on it for a few months and then that's when my E2 tested at 30.

I too took accutane at the age of 23. My dermatologists said that my facial acne wasn't bad enough for it but I had these red nodules on the back of my scalp near my hairline so he agreed to it. I took a series of accutane and it wiped out all acne everywhere. It came back 6 months later. My facial acne isn't awful but I'm 39 and just tired of having to deal with it all the time. The TRT definitely has made me break out more often. I currently do sub q for my Hcg shots near my navel. I wonder about doing my test sub q now that you've possibly suggested it.

I think I'm really sensitive to DHT. I just wish there was a way too block DHT, but get the benefits of TRT.

As for doing an AI should I mess with taking it with my E2 at 30. I can ask my doc if he will prescribe it but I could just buy some Liquidex from arr.

As for my body composition change I was 185pds at 6'1 when I started with a body comp of 15%. I had it done with calipers. I am now 215 and 12%. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week. I do one body part a week of 12-16 sets of large muscle groups and 8 sets for small. I do cardio occasionally but not to often.

thanks again

**chi** · 01-02-2012, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by xelnaga

You need to visit a dermatologist. They will put your mind at ease. Tanning beds cause cancer, over the counter creams can dry skin out and make your body produce more oil, and AI only go so far.

Dermatologists will most likely start you on rx creams and/or anti bacterial medication. If this doesn't begin to show signs of improvement I would push for accutane.

I don't agree with this, I think if you follow a protocol of showering at least 2x a day and using a product like oil free acne wash from neutrogena, even on your scalp, will really improve your acne situation. After washing your face and any other affected areas with the wash, use clearasil daily pore cleansing pads to clean any residue or oil left over on your skin. For spot treating existing acne, use clearasil 4hr rapid action treatment cream on blemishes. I would also recommend using neutrogena grapefruit scrub for exfoliating 2x a week to get rid of dead skin cells that will build up and clog pores.

This is very important!!!!!!!! Do not touch your face or rub anything against your face during the day. This will severely improve your acne condition!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Every thing will give you cancer now a days and I disagree that going to tanning beds is a sure way of getting skin cancer. I think using the tanning beds in a responsible manner, you can dry out your skin and get rid of blemishes as well as excess oil.

This is coming from someone since of the age of 13 has had very sensitive oily skin. I have managed to keep it under control and am happy.

Good luck

**JD250** · 01-02-2012, 02:06 AM

^^^^ that is good advice.......also if you're sure your e2 is only 30 I probably wouldn't mess with it then, that's a really good level to be at, just keep an eye on it.

**lovbyts** · 01-02-2012, 03:03 AM

Agreed. good advice. Dont touch your face or anywhere you have acne. Shower 2x a day and DONT scrub hard. Get a good quality soap and some people swear using dish-washing soap like Dawn works great. I know it's the best I have used for cleaning oil, dirt, grime off my hands.

**chi** · 01-02-2012, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by JD250

^^^^ that is good advice.......also if you're sure your e2 is only 30 I probably wouldn't mess with it then, that's a really good level to be at, just keep an eye on it.

Originally Posted by lovbyts

Agreed. good advice. Dont touch your face or anywhere you have acne. Shower 2x a day and DONT scrub hard. Get a good quality soap and some people swear using dish-washing soap like Dawn works great. I know it's the best I have used for cleaning oil, dirt, grime off my hands.

Thanks guys

**BOB89** · 01-05-2012, 10:14 PM

Another treatment I've found effective is vitamin d in pretty decent doses. Not sure the science behind it as it was a suggestion from a friend.

**Corpsman** · 01-06-2012, 12:03 AM

If by Spiro you mean Spironolactone... Forget it. You might as well stop TRT if you are going to take that. It is an anti-androgen. One of its uses is to stop hirsutism. Like when women have big hairy knuckles, they take that to help them suppress the the male hormones