thanks for your reply. i bought b6 a while ago but so so so many people reported breakouts from it i got really worried and upon searching on google b6 and b12 were the vitamins that most commonly broke people out so i steered clear from them. how does b6 relate to hormonal acne (the positives?) also im curious when you break out worse? right before your period and clear up on your period? I've only been taking saw palmetto for about a week.. im a little worried now I'll break out >.< im curious why people might break out on saw palmetto..does it directly affect your hormones? i thought it just helped block inhibit dht (a lot of people suggested it to me for that reason). thats a bit confusing how one would have negative affects from that..

i think im so lost right now. i wish i could have my period 24/7 just so i could have a clear face.

the extreme is literally so extreme. right now 80% of my face is so so soft and perfect and clear, better than all my friends skin..it legit looks airbrushed. but i know in about a weeks time i will have my 1000s of little bumps, big painful pimples and lots of bumps and rough skin. i honestly cant believe how quickly it comes and goes. makes me wonder why that raise in some hormones or drop in another can honestly be that affecting and why it actually is so much to produce this acne kinda like theres a fine line between perfect skin and not so perfect skin. i get no other hormonal issues, never emotional, never have pains or headache, moody etc but seems like my hormones change that much to cause the acne. just doesnt make any sense -_-

For me, the worst acne of my life accompanied the beginning of hair loss, which I've now accepted because it's probably just the dictates of my genes. However, that these things happened simultaneously says to me: hormones. Acne has always been a problem, but that was when it all went downhill.

It's like all of a sudden, at 20.5 years old, something turned on in my body and told it to make more testosterone (though a hormone panel said my testosterone is normal), convert more testosterone, or be more sensitive to DHT! I'm coming up on a year since my hair and skin went so downhill, and while my hair looks okay, I've still got the red scars on my face and receding hairline to prove it...

I decided to try and inhibit DHT with 320mg of saw palmetto a day. My hair chilled out a little bit and I saw fast, dramatic improvement in my skin. (Also, my boobs increased a full cup size, which was a lot of fun I will say.) I was very happy, even though I was gaining some weight.

But about 3.5 weeks in, I was noticing that my mind felt really cloudy. It is hard to explain, but I totally understand what it means to have brain fog now. I have never felt so out of sorts. After 4 weeks, I went off the saw palmetto (and sadly, my boobs are back to normal).

It's been proposed by some that inhibiting 5-alpha reductase (type I or II or both, I'm not sure) may impair cognition. I sure can't explain specifics, but 5-AR and DHT do have a role in cognitive processing. So it appears that some people, what percent I sure can't say, may experience this god-awful brain fog from inhibiting 5-AR. Some men who've taken Propecia for male pattern baldness have complained of fogginess among other things.

Mine subsided once I stopped taking the saw palmetto, but I'm still not as sharp as I should be.

*I am editing this post here in almost August of 2013 to say that saw palmetto sides have persisted. Please get in touch with me if you have experienced negative side effects from saw palmetto.

thanks for your reply. i bought b6 a while ago but so so so many people reported breakouts from it i got really worried and upon searching on google b6 and b12 were the vitamins that most commonly broke people out so i steered clear from them. how does b6 relate to hormonal acne (the positives?) also im curious when you break out worse? right before your period and clear up on your period? I've only been taking saw palmetto for about a week.. im a little worried now I'll break out >.< im curious why people might break out on saw palmetto..does it directly affect your hormones? i thought it just helped block inhibit dht (a lot of people suggested it to me for that reason). thats a bit confusing how one would have negative affects from that..

i think im so lost right now. i wish i could have my period 24/7 just so i could have a clear face.

the extreme is literally so extreme. right now 80% of my face is so so soft and perfect and clear, better than all my friends skin..it legit looks airbrushed. but i know in about a weeks time i will have my 1000s of little bumps, big painful pimples and lots of bumps and rough skin. i honestly cant believe how quickly it comes and goes. makes me wonder why that raise in some hormones or drop in another can honestly be that affecting and why it actually is so much to produce this acne kinda like theres a fine line between perfect skin and not so perfect skin. i get no other hormonal issues, never emotional, never have pains or headache, moody etc but seems like my hormones change that much to cause the acne. just doesnt make any sense -_-

 

I have read a lot that vitamin b6 does break out some people, supposedly pyrodixine is the one associated to that but p5p which is the form I'm taking seems to be ok. B6 is supposed to lower prolactin levels which at the same time could lower 5-AR activity. I break out just after my mid cycle, although I can have very mild spots before. I'm super clear while on my period, my skin just glows at that time, also much less oily as well. Saw palmetto can lower estrogen levels so if you are low on that side then it could probably get you more break outs and it does lowers DHT because I was shedding a bit my hair before saw palmetto but after taking it very little shedding, but I got neck acne in exchange . May be get some of these vitamin levels tested?. I can tell you for sure that vitamin b6 does not break me out for sure. I'm very certain is helping because I get some spots on my chest when I break out and now very mild ones, it takes time to work. Supposedly 3 months to see a difference from what I read but I can already notice a difference after 2 months.

thanks for your reply. i bought b6 a while ago but so so so many people reported breakouts from it i got really worried and upon searching on google b6 and b12 were the vitamins that most commonly broke people out so i steered clear from them. how does b6 relate to hormonal acne (the positives?) also im curious when you break out worse? right before your period and clear up on your period? I've only been taking saw palmetto for about a week.. im a little worried now I'll break out >.< im curious why people might break out on saw palmetto..does it directly affect your hormones? i thought it just helped block inhibit dht (a lot of people suggested it to me for that reason). thats a bit confusing how one would have negative affects from that..

i think im so lost right now. i wish i could have my period 24/7 just so i could have a clear face.

the extreme is literally so extreme. right now 80% of my face is so so soft and perfect and clear, better than all my friends skin..it legit looks airbrushed. but i know in about a weeks time i will have my 1000s of little bumps, big painful pimples and lots of bumps and rough skin. i honestly cant believe how quickly it comes and goes. makes me wonder why that raise in some hormones or drop in another can honestly be that affecting and why it actually is so much to produce this acne kinda like theres a fine line between perfect skin and not so perfect skin. i get no other hormonal issues, never emotional, never have pains or headache, moody etc but seems like my hormones change that much to cause the acne. just doesnt make any sense -_-

 

I have read a lot that vitamin b6 does break out some people, supposedly pyrodixine is the one associated to that but p5p which is the form I'm taking seems to be ok. B6 is supposed to lower prolactin levels which at the same time could lower 5-AR activity. I break out just after my mid cycle, although I can have very mild spots before. I'm super clear while on my period, my skin just glows at that time, also much less oily as well. Saw palmetto can lower estrogen levels so if you are low on that side then it could probably get you more break outs and it does lowers DHT because I was shedding a bit my hair before saw palmetto but after taking it very little shedding, but I got neck acne in exchange . May be get some of these vitamin levels tested?. I can tell you for sure that vitamin b6 does not break me out for sure. I'm very certain is helping because I get some spots on my chest when I break out and now very mild ones, it takes time to work. Supposedly 3 months to see a difference from what I read but I can already notice a difference after 2 months.

 

im a little worried to take saw palmetto now, im not sure if i should stop? its been about a week i think. my acne has pretty much remained its usual. im not sure what my hormone levels are as im on the pill and certainly not ready to get off diane until i can least get my face clear because facing the hell of getting off the pill :/ i suppose one might be able to work out my hormone levels by the behaviour of my acne? im fairly skinny though and dont get any other 'female' issues like cramps etc as mentioned. can saw palmetto really change your hormones that much? do you think maybe any breakouts for yourself might have been an IB? im so lost in this battle. not sure what to take. everything just seems dangerous. i might try b6 again after giving SP a go. i only take one sp pill a day but yeah havnt noticed any change better or for worse. knowing me and my luck i'll probably get worse.

what can one tell about hormonal levels if they're clear during their period week? like right now im on my 3-4th day but my periods are very short so even though i'll be on my sugar pills i wont actually get my period til about the 3rd day and only 3 day with an actual period. (does that say anything about my hormone levels do you think?) considering i dont get period side effects except for no acne (best days of my life .. how sad).

and my acne stays around all month but gets way worse about 2 or so weeks before my period. wish i knew what that meant and what i could do to work it out. considering my hormon levels went out of whack by themselves its so confusing as to what to do to get them back when i didnt even do anything to force them out of whack. if thats even what they are.

although nothing else could make me get acne relating around my period by hormones? food doesnt seem to affect me obviously. whether i ate chocolate or a carrot my acne stays the same (note- i only eat healthy food thats for sure though, but abot 8 months ago i tested if food did anything to me, spent a week eating crap food and nothing changed) kinda wish it did, would know i was doing something to help. im curious about B6. so which hormone is it actually affecting? im b12 deficiant (not sure how that happened considering what i eat) but yeah i was nervous because b12 and b6 were known to break people out.. thanks for your opinions by the way

I'll spare too much background and just say that I know DHT is most of my problem...terrible cystic acne and hair loss began at the same time and have persisted. It's like all of a sudden, at 20.5 years old, something turned on in my body and told it to make more testosterone (though a hormone panel said my testosterone is normal), convert more testosterone, or be more sensitive to DHT! I'm coming up on a year since my hair and skin went so downhill, and while my hair looks okay, I've still got the red scars on my face and receding hairline to prove it...

I decided to try and inhibit DHT with 320mg of saw palmetto a day. My hair chilled out a little bit and I saw fast, dramatic improvement in my skin. (Also, my boobs increased a full cup size, which was a lot of fun I will say.) I was very happy, even though I was gaining some weight.

But about 3.5 weeks in, I was noticing that my mind felt really cloudy. It is hard to explain, but I totally understand what it means to have brain fog now. I have never felt so out of sorts. After 4 weeks, I went off the saw palmetto (and sadly, my boobs are back to normal).

It's been proposed by some that inhibiting 5-alpha reductase (type I or II or both, I'm not sure) may impair cognition. I sure can't explain specifics, but 5-AR and DHT do have a role in cognitive processing. So it appears that some people, what percent I sure can't say, may experience this god-awful brain fog from inhibiting 5-AR. Some men who've taken Propecia for male pattern baldness have complained of fogginess.

Mine subsided once I stopped taking the saw palmetto, but sometimes I feel like I'm still not as sharp as I should be.

Just wanted to share my experience. I'm looking deeper into the connection between diet and acne now (reading The Clear Skin Diet), and hopefully through eating and eliminating the right things and supplementation I can improve my situation.

 

have you tried diet before?

I'm definitely not sure what to do about saw palmetto. might give it more time but i like my brain >.<

this is such a lose lose battle. never a win win :/

how is your acne? is it better with your period ? are you on bc?

What is the opinion on pumpkin seed for decreasing the DHT levels? I read that pumpkin seed reduces the DHT production.

Let us back track. Andres, did you not see the link I posted from google scholar on the side effects of andro? Over 17k articles/journals, not just FDA. I would also appreciate it if you didn't put words in my mouth. "Since you believe the FDA has the best interests of the people, look up some of the BS they've done in the past years." Pointing out a contradiction from my stance on the FDA should reveal to you that I do not believe everything they say.

(Anders)I was simply stating that you defended an FDA approved product, inferring that they wouldn't release a product that has severe and harmful side effects. Then later pointed to a cancer clinic that was being attacked by Big Pharma, when the FDA is Big Pharma. Not saying you believe everything they say, or putting words of any kind in your mouth. The side effects of Andro are very well known. The side effects, however, are associated with exogenous hormones, not with those regularly produced by a healthy body. In fact, it appears most of those articles study the use of exogenous hormones, so it's kind of hard to accurately apply that to the regular hormones produced within the body.

I do my research, do not start "pissing matches".

I was referring to the argument between you and another member in the thread, just seemed overly defensive when it seemed they were trying to just add more information.

Here is a good article taking into account T production:

http://www.steroid.c...ide_effects.php

5. Acne and Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids can cause the development of acne. However, the extent to which it is experienced can be due to a number of varying factors, with the particular steroids and exact dosages used being primary. The skins sebaceous glands have a particularly high affinity to Dihydrotestosterone, which is an androgen the body naturally produces from testosterone via the enzyme 5-alpha Reductase. Increased sebaceous gland activity promotes oily skin which can combine with bacteria and dead skin (normal wear and tear) eventually causing pores to become clogged more quickly than the body can cleanse them. This of course, is preventable by using only particular steroids, cleansing the skin regularly, and perhaps using a topical anti-androgen.

As stated in the article, it can be due to a number of varying factors. DHT is not the only androgen to cause oily skin, nor does oily skin mean acne or non oily skin mean lack of acne. There are many people with very oily skin and little or no acne, and those with non oily skin and lots of acne. It just seems to me that you set out your research on the hormone to prove a point, instead of investigate objectively.

 

The information you've provided can help those with acne caused by hormonal issues, but it is well known that hormones are not the only cause. The typical westerner knows very little about good nutrition. They use information provided by the FDA (Many don't even go that far), when the RDA alone is made for a 150 lb male with about 12% body fat. Added to the fact that the FDA approves tactics such as treating beef and poultry with ammonia, and the use of trans fats and other harmful synthetic chemicals, that should be a very big sign that they know nothing of good nutritional needs. This is by no way related to your stance with the FDA, this is simply saying that dietary issues still remain a very big culprit for those with acne.

Earlier when I stated messing with hormones is dangerous, I was more referring to hormonal products, not natural products such as Saw Palmetto. For women, if using birth control products works for controlling your acne, by all means use it. I am unsure of the side effects using birth control can have, but I'm sure you're well informed on it if you decide to put it in your bodies.

But about 3.5 weeks in, I was noticing that my mind felt really cloudy. It is hard to explain, but I totally understand what it means to have brain fog now. I have never felt so out of sorts. After 4 weeks, I went off the saw palmetto (and sadly, my boobs are back to normal).

It's been proposed by some that inhibiting 5-alpha reductase (type I or II or both, I'm not sure) may impair cognition. I sure can't explain specifics, but 5-AR and DHT do have a role in cognitive processing. So it appears that some people, what percent I sure can't say, may experience this god-awful brain fog from inhibiting 5-AR. Some men who've taken Propecia for male pattern baldness have complained of fogginess.

Mine subsided once I stopped taking the saw palmetto, but sometimes I feel like I'm still not as sharp as I should be.

 

I'm unsure of the effects 5-AD inhibition may have on the brain, but there are some things you can try to help there. Acetyl-l-carnitine has good neuro protective benefits, antioxidant properties, and improves acetylcholine production. That may be worth looking into, as well as other nootropic compounds to counter the effects inhibition may have, that is if you are ok with testing those routes.

I'm unsure of the effects 5-AD inhibition may have on the brain, but there are some things you can try to help there. Acetyl-l-carnitine has good neuro protective benefits, antioxidant properties, and improves acetylcholine production. That may be worth looking into, as well as other nootropic compounds to counter the effects inhibition may have, that is if you are ok with testing those routes.

 

Just did some digging on Acetyl-l-carnitine, and it looks like it has been shown to improve insulin response. That itself would be good for acne.

I'm unsure of the effects 5-AD inhibition may have on the brain, but there are some things you can try to help there. Acetyl-l-carnitine has good neuro protective benefits, antioxidant properties, and improves acetylcholine production. That may be worth looking into, as well as other nootropic compounds to counter the effects inhibition may have, that is if you are ok with testing those routes.

 

Just did some digging on Acetyl-l-carnitine, and it looks like it has been shown to improve insulin response. That itself would be good for acne.

 

There are several better things for insulin response, I'm not sure Alcar makes a big difference insulin wise though. There are other forms of Carnitine that may have more benefit, such as GPLC or LCLT. All of them are available for cheap in bulk, and easy to cap into appropriate doses. Other insulin improving products I've used and can vouch for are Slin-Sane, Agmatine, citrulline malate, R-ALA or Na-R-ALA. Those have more of a bodybuilding benefit IMO, I don't notice a difference acne wise on or off them, but it may not be a factor for me. You may see some good improvement from a combination of those, I'd recommend Na-R-ALA, it's not super cheap, but a great glucose disposal agent. I'm not sure what exactly you're looking for insulin wise, but it might be a good place to start.

What is the opinion on pumpkin seed for decreasing the DHT levels? I read that pumpkin seed reduces the DHT production.

 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/176550-herbs-that-block-dht/

Andres, I see where you are coming from. I did state there are other things that will cause acne. As an androgen, DHT is heavily linked, more so than any other androgen, to the sebum gland. I also state that there are natural herbs and things that can prohibit DHT, but I personally believe that isn't good enough. For example, people (like me) who suffer from hormonal acne (well I did at one point in time, not anymore!) from masturbation should not go buying saw palmetto with the thought that if they take saw palmetto it will block DHT and thus block acne allowing them to masturbate (or have sex) all day long. There are other symptoms, it will never just be acne, that are formed as well.

I get other symptom from ejaculation and high DHT levels, those include: sinuses, bone/joint fatigue, acne, general mental fatigue.

What is the opinion on pumpkin seed for decreasing the DHT levels? I read that pumpkin seed reduces the DHT production.

 

http://www.livestron...that-block-dht/

Andres, I see where you are coming from. I did state there are other things that will cause acne. As an androgen, DHT is heavily linked, more so than any other androgen, to the sebum gland. I also state that there are natural herbs and things that can prohibit DHT, but I personally believe that isn't good enough. For example, people (like me) who suffer from hormonal acne (well I did at one point in time, not anymore!) from masturbation should not go buying saw palmetto with the thought that if they take saw palmetto it will block DHT and thus block acne allowing them to masturbate (or have sex) all day long. There are other symptoms, it will never just be acne, that are formed as well.

I get other symptom from ejaculation and high DHT levels, those include: sinuses, bone/joint fatigue, acne, general mental fatigue.

 

(Last name is Anders lol) I'm glad we can see more eye to eye here.

As for the part you mentioned on topical anti androgens, are they selective DHT blockers? Or general anti androgens (that do more outside block androgens from affecting the skin) like most products, that is the part I would have a problem messing with. Selective androgen receptor modulators are relatively new, and I believe the only ones are anabolic related and not dht, but perhaps there has been research into that as well. It seems well worth looking into as they have much less danger, but even the anabolic ones are in very early stages so I wouldn't hold out hope for that any time soon.

Did you outgrow your hormonal acne, or did you use the hormonal products, or currently use?

I have noticed some of those other symptoms of DHT, not sure if they are directly related to DHT for me though. Sinus draining when a problem is fixed by a gluticorticoid nasal spray, haven't felt the bone and joint issues, but for general mental fatigue Alcar and other nootropic compounds which are great for a variety of reasons.

The herbs I listed block the enzyme that creates DHT, so it is suppose to block it, I am not sure what else they are used for other than, baldness, ED, and prostate health (enlarged prostate).

I didn't outgrow my acne, per say, I just control my hormones, with nothing except indulgence, or lack there of, moderation is key to everything. Once I stopped watching porn/masturbation I cleared up, I do have sex but not nearly as much as I use to masturbate, which was almost daily.

I also stopped using chemicals on my skin, which helped tremendously as well.

I've been acne clear for 6 years.

What is the opinion on pumpkin seed for decreasing the DHT levels? I read that pumpkin seed reduces the DHT production.

 

i used to eat pumpkins seeds every morning (a decent amont) i didnt notice anything, i cut them out and didnt notice anything and now eating them again and sont notice a change in acne. u might have to eat a whole lot rather than a handful but im not sure if seeds are hard to digest so i kinda avoid that

also people mentioned topicals.

about topical antiandrogens i've noticed nirzoal (a weak one) cleared me up when i tried it on an area of my face, except my face got way too dry. i even tried using crushed up spiro but that did nothing. Androscience are apparently working on something regarding a topical antiandrogen for acne, they're still doing trials however, the lady said they will update the state of the research later this year

If you want to take pumpkin seed you need to consume it as an extract, because simply eating them will not be enough.

Once you figure out what causes Acne or any other illness, you will understand all illnesses and be disgusted @ what "Modern Medicine" has become. Until then, keep going to your family doctor/specialist and have more pills shoved down your throat and then have your surgery. It's a shame Pharmacutical Companies run our healthcare system. Almost all doctors really are just drug reps, nothing more.

I did some searching for pumpkin seed oil and Saw Palmetto...but I could not find any good supplement in my country (The Netherlands). All Saw Palmetto supplements contain around 40-45% fatty acids while you need around 80-90% of those. I did want to try green tea in reducing DHT levels, but I read everywhere around the internet that this is a hoax and that green tea does not reduce DHT levels.

Most promising Saw Palmetto supplements I found are these of Nature's life , but I can't find any information on them.

Can also go for Nettle Root Extract and/or Pygeum.

im a little worried to take saw palmetto now, im not sure if i should stop? its been about a week i think. my acne has pretty much remained its usual. im not sure what my hormone levels are as im on the pill and certainly not ready to get off diane until i can least get my face clear because facing the hell of getting off the pill :/ i suppose one might be able to work out my hormone levels by the behaviour of my acne? im fairly skinny though and dont get any other 'female' issues like cramps etc as mentioned. can saw palmetto really change your hormones that much? do you think maybe any breakouts for yourself might have been an IB? im so lost in this battle. not sure what to take. everything just seems dangerous. i might try b6 again after giving SP a go. i only take one sp pill a day but yeah havnt noticed any change better or for worse. knowing me and my luck i'll probably get worse.

what can one tell about hormonal levels if they're clear during their period week? like right now im on my 3-4th day but my periods are very short so even though i'll be on my sugar pills i wont actually get my period til about the 3rd day and only 3 day with an actual period. (does that say anything about my hormone levels do you think?) considering i dont get period side effects except for no acne (best days of my life .. how sad).

and my acne stays around all month but gets way worse about 2 or so weeks before my period. wish i knew what that meant and what i could do to work it out. considering my hormon levels went out of whack by themselves its so confusing as to what to do to get them back when i didnt even do anything to force them out of whack. if thats even what they are.

although nothing else could make me get acne relating around my period by hormones? food doesnt seem to affect me obviously. whether i ate chocolate or a carrot my acne stays the same (note- i only eat healthy food thats for sure though, but abot 8 months ago i tested if food did anything to me, spent a week eating crap food and nothing changed) kinda wish it did, would know i was doing something to help. im curious about B6. so which hormone is it actually affecting? im b12 deficiant (not sure how that happened considering what i eat) but yeah i was nervous because b12 and b6 were known to break people out.. thanks for your opinions by the way

 

About saw palmetto I have read the people that have had results with it is very quick improvement, like in a week people start to see less oily skin. But since you already started I would give it a fair month. If you start seeing spots in places where you never saw it before then I would consider dropping it. I was on it for two months I think and noticed the neck acne about 4 weeks in. My breakouts were not an IB because I never get acne on my neck, as soon as I dropped saw palmetto my neck acne vanished so no I don't think it was some sort of IB .

If you are b12 deficient you should address this, b12 is very important for your health and could very well be affecting your skin. I know there are cases where it has caused break outs but if you are deficient I don't believe that it would cause your acne to get worse. It's not well known what hormones vitamin b6 affects but what is known is very important for many functions in the body.

I think the fact your acne gets worse at that time of the month won't tell you much about what can be unbalance, it really could be so many things. This is a trial error I think, people try saw palmetto, speartmint tea, vitex, maca and all that sort of things until you are actually able to find the right one for you, I don't think there is other way around .

im a little worried to take saw palmetto now, im not sure if i should stop? its been about a week i think. my acne has pretty much remained its usual. im not sure what my hormone levels are as im on the pill and certainly not ready to get off diane until i can least get my face clear because facing the hell of getting off the pill :/ i suppose one might be able to work out my hormone levels by the behaviour of my acne? im fairly skinny though and dont get any other 'female' issues like cramps etc as mentioned. can saw palmetto really change your hormones that much? do you think maybe any breakouts for yourself might have been an IB? im so lost in this battle. not sure what to take. everything just seems dangerous. i might try b6 again after giving SP a go. i only take one sp pill a day but yeah havnt noticed any change better or for worse. knowing me and my luck i'll probably get worse.

what can one tell about hormonal levels if they're clear during their period week? like right now im on my 3-4th day but my periods are very short so even though i'll be on my sugar pills i wont actually get my period til about the 3rd day and only 3 day with an actual period. (does that say anything about my hormone levels do you think?) considering i dont get period side effects except for no acne (best days of my life .. how sad).

and my acne stays around all month but gets way worse about 2 or so weeks before my period. wish i knew what that meant and what i could do to work it out. considering my hormon levels went out of whack by themselves its so confusing as to what to do to get them back when i didnt even do anything to force them out of whack. if thats even what they are.

although nothing else could make me get acne relating around my period by hormones? food doesnt seem to affect me obviously. whether i ate chocolate or a carrot my acne stays the same (note- i only eat healthy food thats for sure though, but abot 8 months ago i tested if food did anything to me, spent a week eating crap food and nothing changed) kinda wish it did, would know i was doing something to help. im curious about B6. so which hormone is it actually affecting? im b12 deficiant (not sure how that happened considering what i eat) but yeah i was nervous because b12 and b6 were known to break people out.. thanks for your opinions by the way

 

About saw palmetto I have read the people that have had results with it is very quick improvement, like in a week people start to see less oily skin. But since you already started I would give it a fair month. If you start seeing spots in places where you never saw it before then I would consider dropping it. I was on it for two months I think and noticed the neck acne about 4 weeks in. My breakouts were not an IB because I never get acne on my neck, as soon as I dropped saw palmetto my neck acne vanished so no I don't think it was some sort of IB .

If you are b12 deficient you should address this, b12 is very important for your health and could very well be affecting your skin. I know there are cases where it has caused break outs but if you are deficient I don't believe that it would cause your acne to get worse. It's not well known what hormones vitamin b6 affects but what is known is very important for many functions in the body.

I think the fact your acne gets worse at that time of the month won't tell you much about what can be unbalance, it really could be so many things. This is a trial error I think, people try saw palmetto, speartmint tea, vitex, maca and all that sort of things until you are actually able to find the right one for you, I don't think there is other way around .

 

thanks for your reply, youre always very helpful

I think with me i dont have oily skin at all...well it might be oily enough to cause acne but its definitely not shiny oily. in fact i often just apply tea tree oil cream so its not as dry ..well its not dry either lol.. its pretty even i think. my acne occurs on my chin mostly, bit along the jaw and around my mouth/inner cheeks and a bit on my forehead/between eyes. but yeah mainly on my chin every day of the month. i was hoping maybe one could tell of the imbalance. for example my face was 99% clear yesterday which was the last day of my period. today its definitely getting back to the way it was so i was wondering if, that last day of my period- whatever happens then , that thats what i need to do to keep clear skin. i feel that maybe if i can mimic the last day of my period then i'll be able to have clear skin. but that doesnt make sense i suppose because naturally my hormones should be able to cycle through the month without resulting in acne... so confused gah! i suppose i'll keep with the saw palmetto but to be honest ive tried so many vitamins and supplements and herbs ever a year and a bit and nothing has even affected me for better or for worse as with diet ..kinda losing hope with these lame hormones. im almost tempted to beg my doc for spiro again. i know i wont because i need to find something..but i just cant understand how a weak dose of spiro literally makes all the difference :S

for females broccoli pills and DIM supplement were HUGE on the org not to long ago.. maybe either of you could test those out and see how they go?

it goes along with this thread because there is something in these pills that messes with the estrogen and DHT for females while taking these supplements. i cant remember exactly what it was because i havent read those threads in a very long time. i stopped researching it when i found out only woman were having success with the pills and not men. research it a little bit and tell me what you think.

bobbi im glad to see your forum is still growing a lot of people nee to know how important DHT is in acne!

for females broccoli pills and DIM supplement were HUGE on the org not to long ago.. maybe either of you could test those out and see how they go?

it goes along with this thread because there is something in these pills that messes with the estrogen and DHT for females while taking these supplements. i cant remember exactly what it was because i havent read those threads in a very long time. i stopped researching it when i found out only woman were having success with the pills and not men. research it a little bit and tell me what you think.

bobbi im glad to see your forum is still growing a lot of people nee to know how important DHT is in acne!

 

In my eyes there is only two things that will cure acne. DHT control (and I say that from a bodily/hormonal control, not necessarily herbs), and the other being the acid mantle.

for females broccoli pills and DIM supplement were HUGE on the org not to long ago.. maybe either of you could test those out and see how they go?

it goes along with this thread because there is something in these pills that messes with the estrogen and DHT for females while taking these supplements. i cant remember exactly what it was because i havent read those threads in a very long time. i stopped researching it when i found out only woman were having success with the pills and not men. research it a little bit and tell me what you think.

bobbi im glad to see your forum is still growing a lot of people nee to know how important DHT is in acne!

 

In my eyes there is only two things that will cure acne. DHT control (and I say that from a bodily/hormonal control, not necessarily herbs), and the other being the acid mantle.

 

But how can you control the DHT production?

In order to control it you need to first understand what causes DHT to spike. There are several things that do this. Contrary to myth, just because you raise your testosterone during exercise it does not mean it transfers to DHT. DHT is created during: ejaculation, very high insulin values (rare), very high fatty diets (also rare, even in the western diet), there are other things as well, however we should note that some of those other things are hormonal, take the time to research them on your own. Once you determine what is spiking your DHT production, mine was a very high ejaculation frequency, you stop it, thus controlling it and DHT production.

I've been doing research, and dht is not the "bad guy", the body needs it, and it has its positive effects and bas effects. During puberty, teenagers experience a natural period of insulin resistance, lately, research says it might sexual hormones (androgens) disorder in this period too. Im 17 and i find it difficult to gain muscle, i have to eat a lot. So, could taking a dht blocker (saw palmetto specifically) affect my natural development somehow? no facial hair, less muscle gain or something, many websites claim it is important to weight gain and a normal development of the body during puberty? whats your possition about this? Spiro blocks dht and androgens productions too, and it isnt recommended for men whatsoever

Who ever sad DHT alone is the "bad guy"? Clearly I have stated that SPIKES in DHT are bad, as they over stimulate the sebum glands. I have never heard of people losing muscle mass from saw palmetto and would think that it would hard to do so, the only reason one loses muscle mass is from less protein consumption, watch interviews with Arnold S. about that, the only way he could lose weight was to eat a very low protein diet. Yes, gaining weight is very important, specially during your teens. EAT EAT and EAT some more, dieting right now for you wouldn't be advised specially if you are trying to gain muscle, you have get fat before you start gaining muscle, perhaps a high calorie diet is in your near future. I personally eat about 3-4 thousand calories a day, and I am still underweight, I am trying to gain a little bit of weight back myself.

Getting back to the DHT spikes and how they cause acne. I don't think saw palmetto will help you in this, nor will any other DHT inhibitor. The reason I say this is because although they can lower DHT production, DHT will still spike during those DHT events. I just think an overall life style change would be the best approach, that is a hard thing to consider trust me, but if you were to experience the two differences you wouldnt second guess the idea.

I've been doing research, and dht is not the "bad guy", the body needs it, and it has its positive effects and bas effects. During puberty, teenagers experience a natural period of insulin resistance, lately, research says it might sexual hormones (androgens) disorder in this period too. Im 17 and i find it difficult to gain muscle, i have to eat a lot. So, could taking a dht blocker (saw palmetto specifically) affect my natural development somehow? no facial hair, less muscle gain or something, many websites claim it is important to weight gain and a normal development of the body during puberty? whats your possition about this? Spiro blocks dht and androgens productions too, and it isnt recommended for men whatsoever

 

Thread bump for an answer to this guy!! I have the same question