Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Topic started by: Simon on January 01, 2013, 03:18:46 PM

Title: Oil Spill
Post by: Simon on January 01, 2013, 03:18:46 PM
My first T shot was two weeks ago and for a few days afterwards I noticed that my face/hair was extremely oily. Since I had just had my hysto a few days before the shot I thought maybe I was having a reaction to my pain meds (they have made me produce excess oil in the past).

Last night before bed I took my second full shot. Woke up today and my hair looked like it hasn't been washed in a week. My face was shiny as well. I stopped taking pain pills regularly about a week ago so it's not that. Luckily so far the only acne I have had is a few spots on my shoulders/back so the oil isn't clogging the pores on my face yet.

Anyone else get really oily for a few days after their shot? I'm wondering if this is normal or if it may be a reaction to the oil my T is suspended in (cottonseed oil) but if it was a reaction I would think I would have some itching or something (I don't).
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: Sly on January 01, 2013, 03:20:12 PM
That happened to me at first but calmed down after a while.  It's part of the whole puberty thing.
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: Simon on January 01, 2013, 03:49:42 PM
Thanks man, I've never heard of anyone talk about getting really oily for a few days after the shot. That eases my mind about it.
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: Robert Scott on January 01, 2013, 04:31:09 PM
Ya. I have the oily hair and skin problem .. it's normal
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: GentlemanRDP on January 01, 2013, 05:38:25 PM
Agreed.
It's normal.
Nothing to worry about, and it usually calms down - eventually.
Most T is suspended in either cottonseed or sesame oil,
So it's only natural that it circulates through your body - all part of the process, though a rather unpleasant part.
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: Michael Joseph on January 01, 2013, 05:51:59 PM
ya the first two weeks on t my hair and face were very oily regardless of how much i showered. It cleared up after those two weeks though
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: Nero on January 01, 2013, 08:02:25 PM
Are you sure you're not experiencing some withdrawal symptoms from the pain pills? That'll definitely make you sweat.
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: Simon on January 01, 2013, 08:05:26 PM
Quote from: Fat Admin on January 01, 2013, 08:02:25 PM
Are you sure you're not experiencing some withdrawal symptoms from the pain pills? That'll definitely make you sweat.

Nope, I'm fine off of them. Still have plenty left, I just don't want them. I've actually been chilly all day...it's not sweat. It's oil.
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: Biscuit_Stix on January 01, 2013, 08:33:42 PM
Start a face cleansing routine, and include a good moisturizer (specifically one for dudes, haha). It helps a ton with clearing back some oil 8)
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: chuck on January 02, 2013, 04:56:12 AM
Quote from: GentlemanRDP on January 01, 2013, 05:38:25 PM
Agreed.
It's normal.
Nothing to worry about, and it usually calms down - eventually.
Most T is suspended in either cottonseed or sesame oil,
So it's only natural that it circulates through your body - all part of the process, though a rather unpleasant part.

Are you saying that the oil the testosterone is suspended in is what causes oily skin? That's not quite accurate. The testosterone itself is what causes excess oil production. 

But it is totally normal. I got really lucky with my skin and only get a few small pimples once in a while.
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: Simon on January 02, 2013, 04:41:58 PM
Quote from: chuck on January 02, 2013, 04:56:12 AM
The testosterone itself is what causes excess oil production. 

But it is totally normal. I got really lucky with my skin and only get a few small pimples once in a while.

Ok, so it's the hormone itself that causes the oil. Now that I think about it that makes sense (puberty causes oily skin/hair) but I was thinking maybe it was the oil the hormone was suspended in. Glad it's normal but wish it would stop. No acne on my face yet but it is starting to get bad on my shoulders and upper back.
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: sneakersjay on January 02, 2013, 05:13:13 PM
I am way greasier now than I ever was before.  I think it is normal when taking T.


Jay
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: chuck on January 02, 2013, 11:38:59 PM
Quote from: Simon on January 02, 2013, 04:41:58 PM
Ok, so it's the hormone itself that causes the oil. Now that I think about it that makes sense (puberty causes oily skin/hair) but I was thinking maybe it was the oil the hormone was suspended in. Glad it's normal but wish it would stop. No acne on my face yet but it is starting to get bad on my shoulders and upper back.

one thing you can do is use moisurizer to help decrease the oil. It seems counterintuitive but, here is what can happen - if you have ever exfoliated your face before bed, you will most likely wake up with a greasy face. This is because your skin reacts to being stripped of its oil by creating more oil! So what you should do is clean your face and then apply a moisturizer. Since your skin will already be moist, your body wont over react and create more oil.

so bottom line is that if the oil bothers you, try using a moisturizer.
Title: Re: Oil Spill
Post by: spacerace on January 03, 2013, 08:27:41 PM
I saw witch hazel recommended on some trans guy's tumblr for this problem, so I've been putting a witch hazel based astringent on my nose and around the edge of my face where my hair falls 3x a day and it seems to help a lot with feeling really oily. That may just be the fact I'm constantly cleaning my face now with the witch hazel, but whatever works. It's not that expensive for a big bottle, it is like 6 bucks where I live, and the bottle lasts forever. I had to get it at the skin care section of a pharmacy though, as my grocery store does not carry it.

In addition to your skin producing more oil, you can also get a lot of the grease on your face from your hair, so you may want to try a new shampoo or something now that you're on T.  Also wash or change out your pillow cases frequently, as the oil really can collect there overnight, which means the next time you go to sleep you are putting your face down into a pool of your own grease, which is of course not helpful and gross to think about!