Bodybuilder's acne? Yes, it's a thing!

In recent years, along with rising gym memberships and fitness hashtags on Instagram, a consistent pattern in skincare has emerged with men who body build and have acne.

 Most of the time we see this in adult males, with the acne prominently on the chest and back. The acne can be moderate (meaning a few minor breakouts) to severe, including cystic lesions that are painful and leave behind scars and hyperpigmentation.

So, what causes this and how do we fix it?

One cause of body builder's acne is the use of steroids. Steroids produce testosterone, which causes severe acne. Not only is taking steroids to "bulk" up terrible for your skin, but it can also lead to long-term damage to your liver and is associated with high blood pressure. Steroids have also been known to cause aggressive behavior. Check out this great article from the Mayo Clinic that covers more specific health concerns surrounding steroid use.

Whey protein, the ever-popular workout supplement and meal replacement, can also be associated with acne. Why? Whey protein helps stimulate muscle growth, which increases the hormone level known as insulin-like growth factor, or IGF-1, for short. This same hormone also increases sebum (oil) production and skin cell growth. More oil production + more skin cell growth = a perfect scenario for acne. Some good alternatives to whey protein include egg white protein and pea protein. Another great resource on this is Men's Health magazine's " 5 Whey Powder Alternatives ."

Proper hygiene after working out or lifting weights is also very important in preventing those pesky breakouts and may be all you need to keep things under control. Washing with a good cleanser like Clinical Formula's Pumice Scrub with benzoyl peroxide will help kill the acne bacteria. No time to wash right away? Wipe down post-workout with glycolic/salicylic wipes, such as the Gly/Sal 5-2 Pads by Topix Pharmaceuticals.

In general, we know that eating a well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water is best for our bodies. We discussed this topic in a previous blog post , and it still holds true. Garbage in, garbage out!

If you think you are suffering from body builders acne do some research on your supplements and consider being evaluated by a qualified medical provider. At Radiance RX, we can help you find the right regimen to get your skin back under control.

*Results are based on personal experience, individual results may very. Always consult with a medical provider prior to treatment.

Image sourced from   Flickr Creative Commons  .