Post: #1

I started weightlifting a month ago, and while my body looks better than ever, I've been getting cystic acne on my face, which I haven't gotten since i've been on retinoids and antibiotics. Ever since I've been lifting, its been persistent and not going away. Anyone else have this problem?

Post: #2

I started getting acne once I started taking shots of testosterone.

My guess is weight lifting has elevated your testosterone levels and a side effect of this is acne.

If your acne is bad enough you can take accutane but there are a whole set of side effects with this drug

Edit: I have small amounts of acne on my forehead but it's minor enough for me to ignore

Post: #3

yeah its not crazy enough for accutane, just a few bumps on my cheeks that i feel self conscious about.

Post: #4

I have it on my delts and chest. People think I'm on roids at the gym. Increase in testosterone levels. My dermatologist says its also says that lecuine which is present in whey protein has been known to cause acne.

Strangely enough, my face is alright.

Been experimenting with sitting in the sauna to detox, but it doesn't seem to be helping. Anyone has any tips that might help?

Post: #5

Do not mess with Accutane while on testosterone. I can only imagine what combining it with test will do if you're also prone to the latter's side effects.

I've probably taken every acne medication in existence. Accutane was amazing, my face was perfectly clear, but when I went off it my acne came back. Some people need a second cycle but I didn't want to risk the side effects any further.

I use epiduo now and it works quite well.

Shower often guys. Preferably right after lifting so the bacteria and sweat doesn't have enough time to really absorb into your skin.

Post: #6

I do shower after lifting, in fact I shower at least 3 times a day sometimes 4.

I'm wondering if it could be the humidity that's affecting my acne?

Post: #7

It's increased testosterone, I have it all the time on my chest and back.

Post: #8

Did you by any chance start taking whey protein or increase your dairy intake considerably? If so, ditch it and you'll be fine.

Post: #9

No i only use almond milk and coconut milk. I eat chicken for prrotein, no supplements. I stopped lifting over the weekend and it disappeared. Im going to assume its because of testosterone spike.

Post: #10

Spots can also come about from stress. Weight training creates a lot of stress on the system.

Usually its from accumulating sweat and dirt on your clothes and wearing them more than you should.

Post: #11

I'd guess it's whey or dairy. When I cut out dairy products for the most part. I tend to have little to no acne. I used to use skim milk powder for shakes but stopped and noticed my bloatedness on my stomach went away and my skin cleared up. If possible. Try to maybe check how much water you're drinking every day. Keep a gym/nutrition log to track it all.

Post: #12

I use Jack Black's facial cleanser (company not related to the comedian in any way). I put it on as a mask once a week and it keeps acne at bay pretty well. And when you shower after working out I would take a cold shower, because working out hard and taking a hot shower right after could lead to you sweating a bit after you've cleaned yourself, giving your pores a chance to clog back up.

Post: #13

(10-17-2014 10:58 PM)edtf Wrote:  I started weightlifting a month ago, and while my body looks better than ever, I've been getting cystic acne on my face, which I haven't gotten since i've been on retinoids and antibiotics. Ever since I've been lifting, its been persistent and not going away. Anyone else have this problem?

When you work out you sweat and that will cause pimples so my advice is to wash your face after weight lifting and to continue what you like doing .

Post: #14

What's your diet like?

And I second the stress. Maybe more rest days?

I used to get this problem a lot when doing football and wrestling when I was younger. Big ass boil-looking pimples on my back, neck, and sometimes chest. Thankfully none of the facial ones scarred, but I do have some scars on my back.

Probably wouldn't hurt to talk with a dermatologist.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #15

The answer is:

Eat your vegetables!

When you want to grow, focussing on your macros is important. Eat enough protein, eat enough fats and good carbs. Your body needs these building blocks to repair and build your muscle fibers. Most guys understand it and some actually manage to eat enough.

But while these eggs, whey shakes, milk jugs and steaks are essential, they are not sufficient.

Your body also needs a lot more micros during growth.

Vitamins and minerals are important in all cellular mechanisms. Think iron, selenium, manganese, carotenoids and flavonoids.

When you hit the gym hard, and eat big (but solely macros-focussed) your hormones will skyrocket to direct your body's growth. But if you don't have all the necessary micronutrients, you're gonna be suboptimal. Think of all the teenages boys in puberty: hormone-fueled growth with shit skin. Not surprisingly, these kids often eat like shit.

Case study: juicing veggies gives you great skin.

You consume so many vitamins and minerals you start looking great. Not only does acne diminish or disappear, you get a highly appealing glow. Eat your carrots.

Also: why do you think rich girls often look so much hotter than poor girls? Divide people in two groups, one often eating salads and SWPL kale/beetroot/celery shakes and the other eating junk. Compare their skin.

Hormones direct physiologically costly action. That only results in acne, when the required building blocks are missing.

I am not a doctor, but give it a try.

Post: #16

Learned this from a friend that had severe acne growing up on how to clear up your acne:

1. Make your body more alkaline instead of acidic
If your body is primarily acidic, this causes inflammation and acne flareups. Your goals should be to get your body to a neutral / more alkaline state.

To do this, eat around a 70% alkaline 30% acidic ratio. Obviously you'll need enough protein to build mass (most meat is acidic), so offset that with a shitton of vegetables (which are primarily alkaline).

I'd recommend googling what types of foods you eat are acidic vs. alkaline. Even supposedly "healthy" bodybuilding meals like brown rice with steak is very acidic and can excacerbate your acne.

2. Stop eating shitty foods like white carbs, sweets, etc. (you know the deal -- self-explanatory)

3. Get off antibiotics if you're on it
The problem with antibiotics is that it works in the short term by killing all types of bacteria (good and bad), and the bad acne develops a resistance to the antibiotics eventually. So, you're left with no good bacteria to reduce your acne, and a more resistant form of bacteria that inflames your body even more. That's why you'll notice with antibiotics short-term results, but an even worse flareup after you take antibiotics for a while.

Not to mention acne antibiotics for some reason make me get hives and super itchy.

4. Replenish the "good" bacteria in your stomach
Do this by consuming plain kefir / healthy probiotics and plenty of EFA's.

5. Juicing is good
As other people mentioned, juicing will help clean things up faster and your overall health improves. Be warned, make sure the juice you make is not very sugary. If you're juicing beets, carrots, apples together for example, there's a lot of sugar in that which will make your body more prone to inflammation. When you juice, it should be with very green foods like celery, cucumber, lime, kale etc.

If you use the above tips, you should notice a decent difference within a few weeks time (granted you don't eat like shit etc.)

Post: #17

Diet - increase in fats, rough flesh with not enough fibre to balance, or inflmatory foods

Stress - system fatigue from to much intensity with not enough rest to balance

Skin - not being vigilant in skin care as added sweat and dirt will build up from workouts. Shower promptly after with mild soaps like Glycerin Bars, Dr Bonner's.

Acne is mostly a stress or skim care thing. When your skin inflammes its telling you something on the inside is off.

Post: #18

For cystic acne, try applying a 10% benzoyl peroxide cream overnight and, if that fails, see a dermatologist. For more superficial body acne, get a benzoyl peroxide body wash and apply with a shower brush.

Post: #19

1/ Drink loads of water
2/ as said before juicing with plenty of leafy greens
3/ Never take a hot shower.... only take cold showers.
4/ avoid creams and treatments as often they only mask the symptoms and can aggravate it when you stop using the treatments.

Post: #20

Get a comedone extractor and make sure to sterilize it before you use it!

I hate acne with a passion. Using this tool was incredibly satisfying when I was 13 and loaded with a face of zits.

Post: #21

I have link to pdf to help with this for whoever is interested, PM me.