Back Acne!

Limitless Men's Health

Back acne is, unfortunately, a common side effect of testosterone replacement therapy. Some think that too much testosterone causes back acne, some say too much estrogen. However, it is most likely correlated to too much DHT. What is DHT? Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a sex hormone created from testosterone in the body. It plays a major role in the development of masculine characteristics (body hair, muscle growth, and a deep voice). While on testosterone replacement therapy this hormone can be increased which can causes some negative effects, like acne. How do we treat acne on testosterone replacement therapy? First line treatment is proper hygiene. Wash with a good soap, change your clothes often, and wash your clothes with a good laundry detergent. There are natural ways and some medications to combat back acne. Below is just a basic list. First the natural remedies:

1. Diet Changes: Stop consumption of dairy products. Lactose can play a part in back acne.

2. Swimming: Swimming in salt water or chlorinated pool water.

3. UV light: Tanning, or exposing the area to sunlight or red light therapy. Watch out for sunburns.

Simple washes: these can be purchased on Amazon

1. Tea tree oil soap: tea tree oil is a natural antibiotic.

2. Properly wash: Wash the area with Dawn dishwashing soap to remove the oil, dry, then apply an iodine solution, like Betadine or Providone, with a cotton swab. Repeat after showering.

   1. A second method is to lather soap in your hands, add a few drops of iodine solution, and scrub the acne area.

   2. A third method is to rub natural apple cider vinegar, with the mother, on the affected area with a cotton ball.

3. Head and shoulders shampoo: this shampoo usually contains zinc and can help reduce the severity of the acne.

4. Salicylic Scrub or benzyl peroxide scrubs: Again, properly wash the area. Usually a combination of these two washes works the best.

Supplements and medications:

1. Supplements: Vitamin B5 and L-carnitine 3 times a day. Zinc Picolate and copper supplements can also help. these can be purchased on Amazon

2. Clindagel (clindamycin phosphate gel 1%): prescription antibiotic gel. Works well in conjunction with salycilic wash and moisturizer.

3. Minocycline: Antibiotic, prescription only. Taken every day. Has some side effects with it.

4. Accutane: this is the last resort. Needs to be prescribed by a dermatologist.

I am a large proponent of natural remedies and do not recommend pharmacological remedies if they aren't really needed. Polypharmacy (multiple medications) is a large contributor to negative effects with testosterone replacement therapy. Don't forget that we are offering a referral bonus. $50 off the first month of the new client as well as $50 off for 1 month for the client who referred them. Please let us know when you refer someone so that we can ensure this credit goes to the both of you. — Mike, FNP Copyright 2021, Limitless Men's Health limitlessmens.com