Getting Concerned about Acne

[loren1]

Hey guys,

So I'll be 11 months on T in a few days, and I love what it has done for me. But the longer I'm on T, the worse my acne is getting, especially on my body. Pre-T, I didn't have any acne. But now, my back is just covered. I've been using benzoyl peroxide for my chest, shoulders, back, and face for like a month and a half now, and it's only helped clear up my face and chest. But my back still looks like a nightmare, and my left shoulder is pretty bad too. I won't be getting top surgery until at least next summer, I know the binding probably makes it a lot worse. I also can't shower after going to the gym, since I'm on testosterone gel and can't wash it off that day, but I wipe down my back with water when I get home. I'm also going to be going back to my summer job soon, where I'm out in the heat for 6+ hours, and I'm scared of what this is going to do to my already pretty bad acne.

I'm just getting so upset about all the body acne that sometimes I just want to take a break from testosterone, but I can't imagine life without it now. I would absolutely hate not being on it, but I just feel like my skin is getting wrecked and is out of control. It's making me so depressed. Has anyone ever had their acne eventually stop on T? Any suggestions for what I should do, before I go see a dermatologist? I don't want to go on accutane or anything because of all the side effects, but I just can't stand all this acne.

[Dan]

The information leaflet my doc gave me prior to starting T indicated that acne will be at its maximum effect 1 - 2 years on T and after that is will subside. Individual response varies, of course.

If the acne is so bad and no topical meds provide effective relief, it might be a good idea to see a dermatologist.

I had quite bad buttock acne in my twenties through to my early 40's ( not on T at the time, though it must have been higher than normal), my dermatologist prescribed some powerful anti biotics at age 24 which took the edge off it but it never really cleared until my mid 40s (UGH! at least it was not in an conspicuous place). Now I might be looking at acne again sometime in the next 1 to 2 years ( double UGH!!).

I suggest you talk to your doc about it and maybe get a referral to a dermatologist.

It will ease off eventually, the question is when.

[Elis]

I found using antibiotics and prescription acne cream was the best treatment for my acne. It even made my bacne a lot less red and sore. The acne cream you by over the counter is really mild and only works for the odd small spot.

I'm on testogel too and I don't think showering occasionally after you applied the T will much have much of an effect; as long as you wait at least 6 hours after applying according to the instruction leaflet.

[Kylo]

Yeah, I have noticed it getting worse over different areas over time. At first it was my back, now it's the face. I generally wash everything, rub down with something alcoholic and then use E45 to stop the skin being desiccated. Seems to help.

[loren1]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I did have my T doctor get me a referral for a dermatologist, it should be getting mailed to me soon. I'll definitely look into those suggestions, though. I wish I could take antibiotics, but I have stomach issues, so I guess topicals are the way to go. I'm almost a year on T, so I sure hope it doesn't get worse!

Elis, you said you are also on the gel. If I can ask, do you usually shower like some time after you put on the gel, and not have problems? I may start doing that, it would be such a relief, like I feel like my life is dictated by when I put my gel on. I'm always worried I'll sweat it off or wash it off too soon and not absorb enough, and end up getting my you know what back or something, if my T levels drop too low. I've always seen mixed answers of when it's ok to wash it off. I've done my entire transition so far on gel, and it's been nice, but inconvenient. I would like to start injections, but I've heard the acne from injections is worse. Does anyone know if that's true?

[Dan]

Hey Loren,

The acne from injection cannot logically be worse than from gel. The acne comes about from oily skin which in turn is a result of the T levels in your body. The gel and injection application of T is aimed to maintain your T levels in the male range, so whether you apply gel or have injection, the end result is the same: male range T levels.

It is unfortunate that you can't take antibiotics, but I agree that when I took them over something like six weeks, they seriously affected my stomach. Maybe the dermo has alternatives. Let us know the outcome.

PS: to make you feel less alone, I just discovered my first pimple on my neck , and am forced to wash my hair every morning because it's dripping with oil 

[Elis]

Elis, you said you are also on the gel. If I can ask, do you usually shower like some time after you put on the gel, and not have problems? I may start doing that, it would be such a relief, like I feel like my life is dictated by when I put my gel on. I'm always worried I'll sweat it off or wash it off too soon and not absorb enough, and end up getting my you know what back or something, if my T levels drop too low. I've always seen mixed answers of when it's ok to wash it off. I've done my entire transition so far on gel, and it's been nice, but inconvenient. I would like to start injections, but I've heard the acne from injections is worse. Does anyone know if that's true?

Only sometimes. When you rub the gel onto your skin most of it is getting absorbed so I don't see how it will affect your T levels that significantly if you shower after applying occasionally and wait a few hours after applying as a precaution.

[Dani]

loren1

Since you just started Testosterone, you are going through male puberty. Acne is a big part of that. You can start treating your acne just like any other teenage man.

1. Keep the skin clean. Wash your face with any soap that will remove skin oil at least twice a day especially in the oily areas. If you have several lesions, then you may try an antibacterial skin cleanser such as Hibiclens.

2. Treat the lesions. Use a lotion or wash that contains Benzoyl Peroxide 5% or 10%.

3. Prevent formation of lesions. Use a soap that contains Salicyclic acid to remove dead skin cells. This will  help prevent future outbreaks of acne lesions.

Keep in mind that these are not gentle treatments and will dry your skin. Acne does not go away by itself. It needs to be treated effectively. Bad or no treatments have lead to social disabilities and facial scarring. Do not delay. This is a serious skin condition that needs to be treated aggressively and in some cases a Dermatologist visit is necessary.

[Cailan Jerika]

I have some pretty good indicators in my household as to which way I go, I think. My older son and my daughter had pretty severe acne as teenagers, but of course my older son was worse of the two, complete pizza face and bacne. My younger son and I both had a few awful zits here and there, but for the most part both of us were clear-skinned as teens. I also have the same skin type as my younger son, totally different from my older son and daughter, who got their father's skin type. I'm hoping this all means I'll get no acne, or mild acne like my younger son (he didn't have to use anything special to clear it up).

I'm taking precautions. The day I started T I also started cleaning my face and back with benzoyl peroxide, and I use an antibiotic cream on my face for rosacea that hopefully will be an additional preventative measure. I figure an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.