Q: About five weeks ago, I finished a 12-week cycle of Sustenon (500ew). The final 7 weeks I ran EQ (600ew), along with some Anavar tabs the last 5 weeks. I also took Nolvadex throughout until about 2 weeks after the last inject. About 2 weeks after that last inject, I had a massive outbreak of crater-like acne. It’s awful and I won’t even take my shirt off. He said I looked like a steroid user. (Busted!) He gave me benzoil peroxide of 6% I think, and then a ‘scrip of Doxycycline. It’s gotten better, but it’s still there.

Help! I feel like this is social suicide.

A: Acne is a big risk and no one really knows what will happen when they take certain drugs, or combination of drugs. Some tolerate androgens very well (EQ) and some do not. You didn’t say how old you are, but in many cases it’s either young, young men who experience this, or men who have taken up bodybuilding in their 40s. I’d be curious to know which you are, because I’m sure you’re one or the other. Lay off the cycles for a while – you don’t want to exacerbate the situation. Try Accutane. It’s the most effective and it doesn’t sound like you’re getting what you need. Also, definitely shower more than once a day while you treat it. Powder your back before training and then shower really well and apply topical products. Accutane is the most beneficial to major acne like you describe. Take pantothenic acid during the last two weeks of your cycle and the first two weeks you’re off, and practice good hygiene. Try other drug combinations too. These may not be fore you. Wear cotton when you train, use antibacterial soap, and scrub with salicylic acid. Diet can also be a culprit; so don’t eat like crap on your cycles. Other than that, join the club!

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