Okay, Really Need Advice With Acne Issue

[ssavan01]

I have been trying to find a way to rid myself of this problem for years now. I am 22 years old and have had issues with mild acne for several years. Nothing too bad. You cant see it any pictures, but its definitely there and it seems to be getting aggravated.

It wasnt an issue until two years ago, about 4 months into TRT i got a small lump under my left nipple and my doctor put me on Nolvadex. My back and shoulders exploded in acne. It go so bad that I went on a course of Accutane, It made the back and shoulder acne clear up, but face was still there, just mild.

After about 6 months the back and shoulder acne returned and has been there ever since. Nolvadex was only used for a few weeks, but seemed to mess something up in me.

Ive used high dose DHA and B5 everyday since the problem started. No real help.


I currently use 100mg of Testosterone Cyp and 1.25mg of Arimidex total per week in three doses. Along with HCG 250iu the two days before the T injection. I am sure that I take the doses on the right days each week, but the times are always different (except for arimidex which i take before bed). I am convinced that it has something to do with my body not being able to balance the hormones that Im giving it. My Testosterone levels are in the high normal range (a bit out of range last month at 125mg, lowered to 100mg).

How should I go about getting my body balanced? Should I start taking my Testosterone dose at a specific time each week and be consistent with taking it on that time from now on? How about HCG and Arimidex?

And what would be the most beneficial way to take arimidex from now on to ensure that my hormone fluctuations dont stir up excess sebum and acne flairups? Thanks

[Wise Guy]

Hey Savann,

I use a Norelco Beard Trimmer, this one. I take the guard off and use it to trim my face. It works awesome to keep acne away. It gets really close, almost as close as a shave, with ZERO irritation.

Just grab it, take the top piece off, and shave away.

Amazon.com: Philips Norelco T980 Turbo Vacuum Trimmer: Health & Personal Care

How is your weight? For me, my bacne and body acne really responded well to weight loss. As long as I keep carbs down and stay thin and trim, as well as keep general calories low, my acne stays away.

Also, I have found the sun to be invaluable as well. Really keeps acne away. Healthy for ya too!

So when ya joinin the wise guy at the Corner Brewery for a Beer? :cheers2:

How much b-5 you using? I was up to 15g at one point.

[ssavan01]

Hey Savann,

I use a Norelco Beard Trimmer, this one. I take the guard off and use it to trim my face. It works awesome to keep acne away. It gets really close, almost as close as a shave, with ZERO irritation.

Just grab it, take the top piece off, and shave away.

Amazon.com: Philips Norelco T980 Turbo Vacuum Trimmer: Health & Personal Care (http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Norelco-T980-Vacuum-Trimmer/dp/B000FEF1V4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1240102678&sr=8-1)

How is your weight? For me, my bacne and body acne really responded well to weight loss. As long as I keep carbs down and stay thin and trim, as well as keep general calories low, my acne stays away.

Also, I have found the sun to be invaluable as well. Really keeps acne away. Healthy for ya too!

So when ya joinin the wise guy at the Corner Brewery for a Beer? :cheers2:

How much b-5 you using? I was up to 15g at one point.


Probably not using enough, Im currently using 5 grams a day and 2000mg DHA. I did use the B5 at about 12 grams for several months though. Weights fine, just about 200 pounds at 6'2. Ive lost quite a bit of muscle from how I was before though, used to be a pretty avid weight lifter.

I'll check out the Norelco trimmer though, I was thinking about buying one anyway.

And as soon as this internship im doing schedules me for less than 70 hours a week, I'll be there. And odds are I probably wont leave the brewery once Im there...this has been a rough schedule

Thanks for the advice!

[Wise Guy]

Probably not using enough, Im currently using 5 grams a day and 2000mg DHA. I did use the B5 at about 12 grams for several months though. Weights fine, just about 200 pounds at 6'2. Ive lost quite a bit of muscle from how I was before though, used to be a pretty avid weight lifter.

I'll check out the Norelco trimmer though, I was thinking about buying one anyway.

And as soon as this internship im doing schedules me for less than 70 hours a week, I'll be there. And odds are I probably wont leave the brewery once Im there...this has been a rough schedule

Thanks for the advice!

I'm tellin ya, that Norelco beard trimmer is a LIFE SAVOR. I have zero irritation with shaving with it. I love it man, I will never go back to razor shaving since I started using it.

I used to get bad facial acne. Now it is all gone, permanently, since I switched over to this thing.

5g isn't gonna cut it man. I would try at least 15g a day for awhile. And stick with the DHA, its good for the brain.

As far as weight loss - I didn't start seeing the bacne and body acne clear until I really got down into the single digit BF% area - I'm talking crazy vascularity, arms, legs, even veins in the lower stomach area. So at 200lbs you probably could still lose another 10 or 20lbs easily and still maintain a healthy weight. Its worth the effort.

Did you go to the College of Business Honors Banquet two weeks ago? If so, you woulda seen the Wise get quite a few honors, as well as stage time. I got Beta Gamma Sigma too :thumbup1:

Good times. Havin beers with professors and The Dean was fun!

[ssavan01]

Thanks i'll make those changes. Do you think additional Biotin is needed with that dose of B5?

And will that trimmer really get close? For work I cant show much stubble. Eventually I want to buy one of those Braun 250 dollars shavers that work amazing, but for now anything to stop this mild acne and razor burn would be helpful as long as it gets pretty close.



No, I wasnt able to go to the honors night. I'll just be starting my junior year after this semester so I have got into the fun finance classes yet. Im still at the Business building every monday and wednesday from 1-2:15 for accounting. Ive probably seen you and not known it several times.

[Wise Guy]

Thanks i'll make those changes. Do you think additional Biotin is needed with that dose of B5?

And will that trimmer really get close? For work I cant show much stubble. Eventually I want to buy one of those Braun 250 dollars shavers that work amazing, but for now anything to stop this mild acne and razor burn would be helpful as long as it gets pretty close.



No, I wasnt able to go to the honors night. I'll just be starting my junior year after this semester so I have got into the fun finance classes yet. Im still at the Business building every monday and wednesday from 1-2:15 for accounting. Ive probably seen you and not known it several times.

The key with the trimmer is to take the guard piece off. Then you can trim really close with the clippers. This particular model gets as close as any that I have ever tried.

Its the best little gadget I have ever bought man. Now I cannot even think about using a razor to shave. Ugh! :ack2:

I didn't take any additional Biotin with it. I'm still standing ;)

I have finance 350 this spring with Garg.

Which accounting you have, 240 or 241? 240, financial accounting, will suck the life out of you. That class is horrible. 241, managerial accounting, was actually tolerable, and sorta fun at times.

[chilln]

I have been trying to find a way to rid myself of this problem for years now. I am 22 years old and have had issues with mild acne for several years. Nothing too bad. You cant see it any pictures, but its definitely there and it seems to be getting aggravated.

It wasnt an issue until two years ago, about 4 months into TRT i got a small lump under my left nipple and my doctor put me on Nolvadex. My back and shoulders exploded in acne. It go so bad that I went on a course of Accutane, It made the back and shoulder acne clear up, but face was still there, just mild.

After about 6 months the back and shoulder acne returned and has been there ever since. Nolvadex was only used for a few weeks, but seemed to mess something up in me.

Ive used high dose DHA and B5 everyday since the problem started. No real help.


I currently use 100mg of Testosterone Cyp and 1.25mg of Arimidex total per week in three doses. Along with HCG 250iu the two days before the T injection. I am sure that I take the doses on the right days each week, but the times are always different (except for arimidex which i take before bed). I am convinced that it has something to do with my body not being able to balance the hormones that Im giving it. My Testosterone levels are in the high normal range (a bit out of range last month at 125mg, lowered to 100mg).

How should I go about getting my body balanced? Should I start taking my Testosterone dose at a specific time each week and be consistent with taking it on that time from now on? How about HCG and Arimidex?

And what would be the most beneficial way to take arimidex from now on to ensure that my hormone fluctuations dont stir up excess sebum and acne flairups? Thanks

If your GH is nice and high then I doubt that you need your T to be in the high normal range.

At your age your GH should be nice and high, even if your T was inexplicably low.

Ie: if you're concerned about lowering your T, then measure your GH (preferably urinary GH) and if you confirm it's high, then drop your T until your acne clears.

You may need to build up your T more slowly. You may not even need to build up your T so high at all - at least not until your GH gives out.

[ssavan01]

If your GH is nice and high then I doubt that you need your T to be in the high normal range.

At your age your GH should be nice and high, even if your T was inexplicably low.

Ie: if you're concerned about lowering your T, then measure your GH (preferably urinary GH) and if you confirm it's high, then drop your T until your acne clears.

You may need to build up your T more slowly. You may not even need to build up your T so high at all - at least not until your GH gives out.


You know its funny you should say that. Before TRT, when my Total Testosterone levels were at 126 (doctor didnt run all the other necessary labs before putting me on TRT) I have a perfectly fine sex drive. No muscle mass, but great sex drive. Acne was mild on face, like it is now, but none on back and shoulders.

I'll get my GH level tested later this month. Would a blood IGF level be useful or does it really need to be urine? And if so, does it have to be a 24 hour test? Poor student here.

[phatkid77]

My short story...did 4 courses of accutane...

Currently eat 4 omega 3 eggs a day...pretty clear, go 1 week without...I'm a mess

I've done this experiment 2x now..the results r the same, no eggs-zits, eggs-clear

Phats

[chilln]

You know its funny you should say that. Before TRT, when my Total Testosterone levels were at 126 (doctor didnt run all the other necessary labs before putting me on TRT) I have a perfectly fine sex drive. No muscle mass, but great sex drive. Acne was mild on face, like it is now, but none on back and shoulders.

I'll get my GH level tested later this month. Would a blood IGF level be useful or does it really need to be urine? And if so, does it have to be a 24 hour test? Poor student here.

Being a student, the omega 3 eggs solution would be a low cost solution.

The IGF-1 test is a risky way to measure GH, but it works for most people - I just can't predict that you're going to be one of them.

On the other hand the urinary GH test provides accurate results for all people.

Since the serum IGF-1 test ($97 from Direct Labs, no doctor's visit required) costs less than the urinary GH test (~$85 from Rheins + doctor's visit for lab requisition) therefore go for the serum IGF-1 test first, and if your IGF-1 is relatively high, then hopefully your medical professional adviser will agree to reduce your T (testosterone) based on that info.

But if the serum IGF-1 result shows mid range or low range IGF-1, then I would still try the urinary GH test from Rheins.