gel and showering help

[Quinnfong]

I've just started androgel and was wondering how often I should shower. I don't shower very frequently and i assume that that shouldn't make a difference in absorbtion or anything, but right before applying the gel would showering be a good idea? and if so how come?

[rexyrex]

Showering before putting gel on is ideal. The gel i use it says I need to leave it on for about 6 hours. (No showering, bath or swimming durring that time) No idea why I think it something to do with the fact they absorb slowly into your skin.

This is the reson why I apply my gel before bed so i don't have to worry about washing it away.

[Tossu-sama]

Taking a shower etc 1-6 hours after applying the gel every now and then shouldn't make a huge difference in the hormone levels but I always made sure I had 6+ hours between applying gel and showering.

You can take a shower before applying the gel. I did that for a while but it wasn't very pleasant experience. My skin got very dry and tight-feeling after I put on the gel, almost like my skin was too small for me in the areas where I applied the gel.
Then again, that might've been because I did it right after drying myself with a towel and not waiting at all so it could've been caused by my own impatience.

[Mr.X]

I started out on gel too, changed to shots, and am now back on the gel due to acne problems.
Showering right before applying the gel ensures your skin is most accessible for the gel. You open up the pores and whatnot with a hot shower, and you remove what residue was left from the previous application. Showering before application is not a must, but it surely creates more perfect circumstances for the gel to be absorbed.
Sure, most of the gel is absorbed rather quickly into the skin after application, and is then slowly released into your system. But it is advised not to shower for 6 hours after application because you will rinse off what was left on the surface of the skin. So to be safe, don't shower for at least a couple of hours after application.

Hope this helps and congrats on starting T!

[aleon515]

@Mr X, exactly what I heard. The hot water widens the pores so that the gel/cream absorbs better.
I do mine at night (I heard morning is best, but I always took showers at night), so obviously stuff like swimming would not be too hard. You should probably wait 3-6 hours esp with the gel (vs. cream) afaik.


--Jay