Wasn’t sure where to put this as this isn’t really a bodybuilding related topic.
I have a real acne problem. Through puberty, up until 17 or 18 years old I had clear skin and thought I had dodged the acne-bullet. No such luck, it struck me like a bitch and ever since I haven’t been able to get rid of it. As now a 24 year old male you would agree with me that this can be an embarrassing problem.
Up until my 21st/22nd it was really prominent. The last 2 years it’s mostly around my mouth and my back, my back’s really bad at times. My nose is mostly covered in blackheads, it’s been named a “strawberry” nose
I’ve tried pretty much any product known to mankind. From commercial general skincare lines (Aramis, Clinique, Shiseido) to acne-focused stuff like ProActiv and Neutrogena. Nothing has really made it go away. I’ve even been prescribed a lotion by my doc (contained ery-something) but it mostly dried out my skin and never got rid of the actual acne.
My diet has evolved over the years, the only real consistency is that it’s been high in protein (normal by T-Nation standards). Other than that I see no common denominator which might explain the problem.
Lately I’ve been wondering if this might actual be a hormonal problem, and not as much a skin issue. I was wondering if any of the T-men have had similar experiences and if there are any solutions I haven’t tried yet. I’m pretty much up for anything at this point in time.
If (s)he thinks you need isotretinoin (“accutane”, although much cheaper brands are available now that the patent has expired). The order it typically goes in is a) topical benzoyl peroxide b) topical antibiotics c) oral antibiotics d) isotretinoin.
If you have scarring acne, your doc may go straight to the isotretinoin.
But do see a doc. You’ll save yourself a lot of time, money, and scarring.
I’m 26 and have acne* on my face. It’s in other places, like my upper legs and knees, but not as prominent. It definitly does suck, but I suffered with it since I was about 14.
Here is what I recommend.
Benzoyl peroxide (2.5% solution) twice a day, consistently(!!!). Use a non-comedogenic moisterizer as necessary (and it will be.) Apply both all over your face.
Do not touch your face. Do not scrub your face. Do not pick at your face. Wash your face twice a day VERY gently using your hands - mostly just splashing soapy water on it then rinsing.
This worked for me. The biggest thing is to understand that the benzoyl peroxide WILL dry out your face and that you must use a good moisturizer. The more you use it, the less it irritates yuor face. You have to give it time and be consistent in your applications.
I’d recommend you give the above an honest try for 8 weeks. If you see an improvement in complexion, remember that another 8 weeks will improve it further.
*I should note that my “acne” consists of general redness, blackheads, small whiteheads, and large almost boil-like “zits.” It’s the worst around my nose/cheeks.
I took antibiotics on and off and used topicals since I was 13 (I’m 22 now).
There were times when my skin was fine, then it would progressively get worse, until it made me feel like shit.
I started high dose Accutane in February, and I am almost clear.
Note that, you will get worse before you get better. Your skin will purge everything everywhere you might possibly breakout. Only when its done purging will it start drying up and healing, and then you’ll still get some spots.
Side effects kind of suck: Dry-to-cracked lips, dry scalp/dandruff, dry/cracked/peeling skin.
There are some mental side effects to it as well, but if you don’t let things get to you then they shoulnd’t.
On a side note, I also asked my DR if it was a hormonal problem, and they pretty much refused to address it.
I had done some reading and thought I might have an estrogen dominance. I’m 22, don’t grow a full beard, don’t grow chest hair, store all fat directly in my hips, and not satisfied with my gains in the gym.
[quote]gabex wrote:
On a side note, I also asked my DR if it was a hormonal problem, and they pretty much refused to address it.
I had done some reading and thought I might have an estrogen dominance. I’m 22, don’t grow a full beard, don’t grow chest hair, store all fat directly in my hips, and not satisfied with my gains in the gym.
My DR referred me to Accutane.
I kind of still wish I was tested, but oh well.[/quote]
dude exactly my story plus I have bitch tits! That’s why I’ve been thinking about hormonal imbalances.
Well Accutane will address all of it. I figured I could try to treat it hormonally, and it could be a hit or miss. If it worked, I could still breakout.
If I take Accutane, and it works, it should treat it for life, no matter what the cause is.
After I am done, I am thinking of trying a TRIBEX + ZMA stack to see how much of a different a T boost would help, given my training/diet are in tact… probably sticking with WS4SB
[quote]gabex wrote:
Well Accutane will address all of it. I figured I could try to treat it hormonally, and it could be a hit or miss. If it worked, I could still breakout.
If I take Accutane, and it works, it should treat it for life, no matter what the cause is.
After I am done, I am thinking of trying a TRIBEX + ZMA stack to see how much of a different a T boost would help, given my training/diet are in tact… probably sticking with WS4SB[/quote]
but Accutane wouldn’t treat the other symptoms of possible estrogen dominance right? Just the acne?
If you don’t currently have a dermatologist or a family doctor? How do you go about getting accutane.
I live in Canada, can I get it for free? or subsidized?
I am turning 22 this year and the acne isn’t going away. It isn’t terrible but it’s enough to be noticed and I cant stand it. Milk makes it bad, ZMA makes it bad, lack of sleep, anything. Accutane would be awesome. Right now I follow the regimen on www.acne.org and it seems to help but never fixes it for good.
[quote]pradaboy wrote:
gabex wrote:
Well Accutane will address all of it. I figured I could try to treat it hormonally, and it could be a hit or miss. If it worked, I could still breakout.
If I take Accutane, and it works, it should treat it for life, no matter what the cause is.
After I am done, I am thinking of trying a TRIBEX + ZMA stack to see how much of a different a T boost would help, given my training/diet are in tact… probably sticking with WS4SB
but Accutane wouldn’t treat the other symptoms of possible estrogen dominance right? Just the acne?[/quote]
From what I understand, Accutane causes the glands that produce sebum to dry up and shrinks your pores.
Benzoyl peroxide works pretty well if you are very dedicated with using it twice a day. Miss an application, and you’re gonna get a breakout. After about 3 years of using it on my back, I don’t have much there anymore. For my face I recently found Erythromycin & Zinc Acetate lotion, that cleared it up within 2 weeks. Just some other options to think about before you use Accutane. Accutane has caused chronic joint issues for many people.
Like other posters have said, go to the dermatologist. I had some acne in high school but never back, but as soon as I went to college it EXPLODED and got really bad, and it wasn’t until I went to the derm and got a topical cream AND an oral prescription that it cleared up… but when it did it ALL went away.
I have since stopped taking medication, and when it flares up a little again I make sure I wash my face twice a day and MOISTURIZE twice a day as well. Getting a good face scrub and a non-oily moisturizer could do wonders once you get it somewhat under control.
[quote]gabex wrote:
I took antibiotics on and off and used topicals since I was 13 (I’m 22 now).
There were times when my skin was fine, then it would progressively get worse, until it made me feel like shit.
I started high dose Accutane in February, and I am almost clear.
Note that, you will get worse before you get better. Your skin will purge everything everywhere you might possibly breakout. Only when its done purging will it start drying up and healing, and then you’ll still get some spots.
Side effects kind of suck: Dry-to-cracked lips, dry scalp/dandruff, dry/cracked/peeling skin.
There are some mental side effects to it as well, but if you don’t let things get to you then they shoulnd’t. [/quote]
High dose is probably not a good idea, FYI. My doc has me on .4 mg/kg, going up to .8 mg/kg after a couple of weeks. When you get towards the upper dosage, sides get worse, but it’s no more effective.
When I was a teenager I had the most horrible acne in my school. Went to a dermatologist and he put me on a progression of more and more powerful stuff that didn’t work and then finally Accutane. That did the trick.
Only side effects I got were dry eyes and lips.
HOWEVER, search the internet for accutane stories and you’ll read some freaky ones. So be careful.
What I find funny though is that one reported side effect of Accutane is depression…as opposed to having fucking horrible acne not being depressing? Haha.
