Hi guys!
Mtf here. I have been on hrt (estrogen/spiro) for about 5 years. During the first 4 i saw a Dr who had me on the generic pill for my estrogen supplement. I changed Drs who then changed my estrogen to oestradiol in pill and gel forms. Around about this time i noticed i had the odd break out happen here and there. My test levels for some reason began to rise so i thought maybe it was that. They then added the gel on top and things are no better, I now have acne lesions and scarring that is really upsetting me!! I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this acne issue. It shouldn't be the testosterone as I had it checked and it was fine. Maybe I have estrogen dominance and not enough progesterone? Maybe since swapping from the pill to oestradiol I am kind of going through another T puberty who knows? Im just so defeated with this issue.
I am not exactly sure what is going on if your T levels are still were they are supposed to be, but until you get it figured out, I suggest you go to the FTM Testosterone areas of the board. They have a number of ideas about controlling Acne and reducing the risk of skin damage. Their solutions range from proper daily skin care to medications your doctor can provide.
One other thought is if you changed your makeup, you could be having a reaction to it. In addition, it's best to get the makeup off as soon as you can as sometimes it can result in pores clogging up.
Where are you applying the gel? Maybe you are sensitive to some ingredient in the estrogel?
Ask your doctor about Acnotin I used to het very bad acne when I started male hrt
Scars etc the above meds reallyhelped and it is not an antibiotic 16 weeks then no more acne ever again apparently
If anything, estrogen reduces acne because it reduces sebum production by glands inside follicles. Progesterone tends to increase sebum (oil) production. Have you measured free or total testosterone? Free testosterone would be best and give you a more accurate measure as to whether testosterone has increased or not in the last few months. Or you could look at SHBG levels, the higher, the less testosterone can have an effect.