Back, Shoulder, Upper arm and Chest Acne

[fit2fight]

I'm currently on my second cycle of 500mg Test E. Acne on my Back, Shoulders, Upper arms and Chest is out of control. I'm showering 3 times a day and changing all my clothes very regularly, have used soap and body wash, exfoliating stuff and still it keeps coming.

Does anyone have any good tips or previous experience with this?

[Nane']

You are most likely making it worse by showering excessively and using bodywash products. Even the products that are supposedly meant to reduce acne can make steroid related acne worse. You have to realise that when you wash and use some acne products you are effectively drying out the skin which can cause the sebacious glands to produce more oil creating a perfect enviroment for acne.

Also, your gear may not be sterile. I recently used one souce of underground gear for 2 years and had terrible acne on my face, back and chest. After changing to a pharmceutical grade gear for the last year it has completely cleared up.

Roaccutane could possibly be the remedy to your problem...?

[NZPT]

yip accutane works but may need a script for that.

Sunbeds help as the UV rays kill bacteria and dry the skin reducing excretion of oils from pores.

I suggest 2-3 sunbeds per week on alternating days...plus wiping of acne with alcohol prep pads then application of some strong acne cream (an over the counter one will work)

goodluck

[mr natural]

sauna's can work well. a natural suntan and sea water, i.e the beach in summer time clears up skin really well.

[nate225]

yip accutane works but may need a script for that.

Sunbeds help as the UV rays kill bacteria and dry the skin reducing excretion of oils from pores.

I suggest 2-3 sunbeds per week on alternating days...plus wiping of acne with alcohol prep pads then application of some strong acne cream (an over the counter one will work)

goodluck

So beteen the Roaccutane & Sunbeds he's trading Liver damage & Melanoma for clear(ish) skin! LMAO Good luck fella!

Talk to MuscleNZ or someone in the know re: Gear as I believe acne can often be caused by fluctuating levels (of both T & E), as witnessed by guys getting acne at the end of a cycle. Maintaining constant levels may help?

Again ask someone experienced in these matters & they'll probably be able to structure your cycles to minimise level fluctuations.

[Paul]

Any skin care clinic will write a script for isotane and it works fantastically . Liver damage is not an issue with isotane.

[nate225]

Any skin care clinic will write a script for isotane and it works fantastically . Liver damage is not an issue with isotane.

Adverse effects

Increasingly higher dosages will result in higher toxicity, resembling vitamin A toxicity.

Adverse drug reactions associated with isotretinoin therapy include:

Common: Mild acne flare, dryness of skin, lips and mucous membranes, infection of the cuticles, cheilitis, itch, rosacea, skin fragility, skin peeling, rash, flushing, nose bleeds, dry eyes, diffuse alopecia areata, eye irritation, conjunctivitis, reduced tolerance to contact lenses, hyperlipidaemia, raised liver enzymes, permanent thin skin, headaches, permanent hair thinning (This could start or continue after treatment), myalgia and/or arthralgia, back pain.

Infrequent: severe acne flare, raised blood glucose level, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fatigue.

Rare: impaired night vision; cataracts; optic neuritis; menstrual disturbances; inflammatory bowel disease; pancreatitis; hepatitis; corneal opacities; papilloedema; idiopathic intracranial hypertension; skeletal hyperostosis; extraosseous calcification; psychosis; and it is believed that severe depression can occur, although there is no conclusive evidence for this.

The following adverse effects have been reported to persist, even after discontinuing therapy: alopecia (hair loss), arthralgias, decreased night vision, inflammatory bowel disease, degenerative disc disease, keloids, bone disease. High dosages of isotretinoin have been reported to cause rosacea (a disease of severe facial skin redness and irritation).

Erectile dysfunction in the form of difficulty in maintaining erection was reported in several patients in a clinical study. The impotence may have been caused by the psychiatric side effects of isotretinoin.[20]

While vitamin E supplements have been advocated by some to reduce the toxicity of high-dose retinoids without reducing drug efficacy, test results have proven this to be false (though no indication of what form of vitamin E was used).[21]

Patients with degenerative conditions, such as Muscular Dystrophy, should not take isotretinoin as it may exacerbate and/or accelerate the underlying condition. This may be due to a suspected effect similar to accelerated aging on the skin and tissues of the body, including muscle fibers[citation needed].

Patients receiving isotretinoin therapy are not permitted to donate blood during and for at least one month after discontinuation of isotretinoin therapy due to its teratogenicity.[22]

Patients that get a tattoo while on this medication might get scarring on the tattoed area, and also rejection of the ink[citation needed].

[Nane']

Quite easy for you cut and paste there Nate but I know of dozens of bodybuilders that have used accutane to cure steroid induced acne and have been pleased with the results.

That drug outline that you have pasted there shows all of the adverse effects from using the drug - doesnt necessarily mean that the side effects are common or can occur with most users.

Acne can result from AAS use regardless whether blood levels are stable or not. High testosterone levels cause sebacious glands to become overactive triggering acne.

[musclenz]

Yep all good points raised here. Certainly some users of Testosterone develope acne but its more prevalant with the stronger androgens and the derivitives of DHT. Its not a wise thing to rush into a course of isotretinoin -Oratane, Roaccutane, because although they are effective in treating severe cases of acne, the sides are definately something to consider especially if you are a female. I would favour a topical antibiotic or a hydrocortisone acetate cream 1%, I use Elocon. In any event you may need to see your doctor or dermatologist. Test/Estro ratios can be a factor as can the purity of the gear. Stanazolol injection really hits my skin hard after 3-4 weeks with cystic acne & I normally have to abandon it at this point.

[nate225]

Quite easy for you cut and paste there Nate but I know of dozens of bodybuilders that have used accutane to cure steroid induced acne and have been pleased with the results.

That drug outline that you have pasted there shows all of the adverse effects from using the drug - doesnt necessarily mean that the side effects are common or can occur with most users.

Absolutely agree with you, was in a hurry so just did a quick copy & paste from Wiki. From my varsity flatmates experience Liver damage (very high for 2 of 3 enzymes tested, sry cant remember which ones) was a problem with Roaccutane, both when on & off.

Acne can result from AAS use regardless whether blood levels are stable or not. High testosterone levels cause sebacious glands to become overactive triggering acne.

Absolutely it can, however fluctuating levels seem to be a problem for many - clear skin during mid cycle with mass acne coming off is often sited.

Also worth noting is that it's less likely to be the T than its derivative DHT that causes the effects on the sebaceous glands. In this case finasteride (propecia etc) could be useful to combat conversion, but would be useless with other strong androgens like Dianabol or Anadrol etc that do not convert to DHT.

[auck_builder]

i used accutane when i was on cycle last year, its bloody harsh but does the trick. the doctor at the skin clinic also monitor you with regular blood tests, all mine where fine even after using some dbol....

i got told it can cause liver inflamation in some people, but ive known alot of people who have used it and not "fucked" there liver....

see your doctor anyways

[NZPT]

uv light treatment is used in ezema (sp) and other skin conditions...yes there is a risk but if done properly then is safe and gives a bitter quality of life. so just do mild tanning (reffer to individual machine times) and it will clear up. this IS from experience.

take it or leave it just offering some solutions

[Jenga]

Hey don't normally post, but for what its worth I have used isotretinoin & I found it really hard going -cracked skin, allergies to skin products, mild depression, hypersensitivity to light (which still happens), nose bleeds, headaches and loss of appetite. You will need a perscription for any of the accutane family. I had to have several blood tests to check on my liver function. Although I was only on this for 6 months the reults were amazing. BTW showering a couple of times a day will trick your skin into thinking that it is too dry & it will then over produce oil to counteract this.

[frocko]

Sunbeds mate!

I had awesome acne on my back, fooking covered in it.

Tried all sorts of shit from the doctors which did nothing! Didn't try accuatne, doctor wouldn't give it out due to its harsh nature (people have experienced severe depression on it and topped themselves.)

I had 3 sunbed sessions and it completely cleared up. I now do 1 maybe 2 sunbeds a week and it has stayed away.

[Optimass]

uv light treatment is used in ezema (sp) and other skin conditions...yes there is a risk but if done properly then is safe and gives a bitter quality of life. so just do mild tanning (reffer to individual machine times) and it will clear up. this IS from experience.

take it or leave it just offering some solutions

FYI - Its a special type of bulb that may not be available in a standard tan clinic.

[Optimass]

Sunbeds mate!

I had awesome acne on my back, fooking covered in it.

Tried all sorts of shit from the doctors which did nothing! Didn't try accuatne, doctor wouldn't give it out due to its harsh nature (people have experienced severe depression on it and topped themselves.)

I had 3 sunbed sessions and it completely cleared up. I now do 1 maybe 2 sunbeds a week and it has stayed away.

Was that on or after a cycle?

[Optimass]

Could be fluctuations in your levels based on the quality of your gear. I show signs of acne on my forearms first - as soon as it appears I slightly lower the intake and it pretty much stays balanced from there. Dbols particularly bad for acne IMO - (Although Genesis seems to be agreeable)

Continually washing your skin is probably aggrevating it.

Drink more water - Sunbed causes you to sweat .... water clears your pores .... have a warm shower as this stop your body sweating after you exit. Don't use a soap - get something from the chemist thats neutral.

[OMCV6]

some good points raised here, such as

-UV light (sunbeds) to help kill bacteria on skin

-5-alpha reductase inhibitors (Propecia etc) to prevent test to DHT conversion. DHT can make sebacious glands very active...

-etc

But... these are all treating symptons,

Listen to your body, it is obviously very sensitive to moderate to high dose testosterones,

Now why not consider dropping the test dose to 250mg/week and throwing in some high anabolic/low androgenic steroid such as...

-Nandrolone 200-400mg per week.

or alternatively -Boldenone 200-400mg per week

You will probably find that you get better gains with less side effects.

Also, food for thought, Sustanon-250 generally is better tolerated than test Enanthate as far as water retention and gyno are concerned since it has a lower rate of aromatization to estrogen in the periphery.

[NZPT]

FYI - Its a special type of bulb that may not be available in a standard tan clinic.

Yes i know they are called UV B sunbeds. Yes they are diffrent to the normal sunbeds. The Light energy is more intense so less time is needed and the rays are not as harmfull.

essentially for the purpose of clearing your skin a regular sunbed in short durations will have the same effect.

[thatwaslight]

i am on my second cycle and only get the odd (one or two) pimple on my back or shoulders. am i really lucky or does anyone else here not acne whilst on cycle? and does anyone know the reasoning behind it. 500mg test e per week.

[Optimass]

i am on my second cycle and only get the odd (one or two) pimple on my back or shoulders. am i really lucky or does anyone else here not acne whilst on cycle? and does anyone know the reasoning behind it. 500mg test e per week.

Everyone is different and to varying degrees. If thats all your experiencing I'd be pretty pleased! :clap:

Sometimes it takes a few cycles to manifest some side effects.

[keats]

I got some pretty bad acne on my back a couple of cycles ago. Ended up with purple scars all over my back. They faded over time and am 100% now..

[thatwaslight]

yeah i am pretty chuffed even with 40mg dbol an 500test e no probs does it get worse as you go on?

[frocko]

Sunbeds mate!

I had awesome acne on my back, fooking covered in it.

Tried all sorts of shit from the doctors which did nothing! Didn't try accuatne, doctor wouldn't give it out due to its harsh nature (people have experienced severe depression on it and topped themselves.)

I had 3 sunbed sessions and it completely cleared up. I now do 1 maybe 2 sunbeds a week and it has stayed away.

Was that on or after a cycle?

End of cycle. I get it worse when I'm in pct. The difference is unreal.

I never used sunbeds because I thought they were for soft lads and poofs but it has done the job.

[musclenz]

[i never used sunbeds because I thought they were for soft lads and poofs but it has done the job.

Just bought 15 sessions on the gym sunbed :evil: :evil: :evil: :naughty: 8) 8)