Working Out Issue

[esca]

Hi, I stopped working out about 6-8 months ago and my acne has gotten a lot better. I still get a few pimples, but I no longer get painful cysts. I even stopped taking antibiotics a few months ago. I was wondering if anyone had any light to shed on this. I can only guess that this is related to DHT and testosterone. If no longer excercising reduces my acne what does that imply? I also happen to be following my own diet plan, but I still think working out for me is the key issue. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

[B-Rad]

working out= need for greater caloric intake= more sebum output

[RRM]

working out= need for greater caloric intake= more sebum output

Not necessarily so.
It totally depends on whether your body is more in a catabolic or metabolic state.
If your physical activities are much like endurance activities
(like running long distance), it will be katabolic.
If you do short sets of heavy weights, its more metabolic.
And then it also depends on your energy intake.
If you do not take in sufficient energy before and right after your work out
(including sufficient protein), it will also be katabolic.

When your body is in a katabolic state, there will be no extra sebum produced.
If its in a metabolic state, sebum production will be elevated.

[RRM]

I can only guess that this is related to DHT and testosterone.

Exactly. in a metabolic state, the levels of these hormones are elevated,
stimulating the production of sebum.

no longer excercising reduces my acne what does that imply?

That your acne, like that of most people, is caused by a combination of elevated sebum secretion and something else.
why something else?
Because you are still not 100% acne free.
That 'something else' is water retention in the second layer of your skin.
Thats where the sebum canals are pinched off, causing new pimples.
The higher your sebum production, the more pimples are created.
The more water you retain in your skin, the more pimples are created.

still think working out for me is the key issue. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Its possible.
You can perfectly produce a lot of sebum (due to your muscle building working out scheme)
and yet be acne free.
The key is significantly reducing your water retention,
by eliminating the intake of those substances that cause that extra water retention:
all added salt and all damaged proteins,
as they are both hydrophylic and their levels may fluctuate widely.
(unlike the blood glucose level)

[B-Rad]

If your physical activities are much like endurance activities
(like running long distance), it will be katabolic.

Only because your increased sebum from the caloric intake is negated by the decreased androgens from the endurance activity.

not because the caloric intake stopped producing more sebum

[esca]

The wai diet claims to help your body produce 'perfect' sebum and therefore eliminate acne at the source. Wouldn't this diet be even more likely to work if someone were to reduce his caloric intake and ceased exercising? Of course once the acne is gone then calorie intake could be increased and an exercise program could be worked in.

I have read that some people are apparently more sensitive to DHT/ androgens/ testosterone (don't remember which one) than others. It is this sensitivity that causes acne. So I am thinking, higher caloric intake leads to higher androgenic activity. Higher androgenic activity leads to increased sebum production. If someone is abnormally sensitive to androgens then this will result in an abnormal amount of sebum. If this is 'imperfect' sebum then this results in acne. Nevertheless if this logic were true then only people with oily skin would get acne...

Still I should be able to significantly reduce my acne (not eliminate) by being less active and by eating fewer calories. Would it be safe to say that I need to stop all unnecessary activities that promote muscle growth? I have a feeling that any exercise will increase androgenic activity including long distance running.

Why does every website about acne claim exercise helps to reduce acne? I can see how it may reduce stress, but I have never conceived stress as something that causes acne. Even if these websites miss the root cause of the acne, why would they suggest something that is more likely to promote it?

[B-Rad]

The wai diet claims to help your body produce 'perfect' sebum and therefore eliminate acne at the source.

sebum output + water retention = you getting acne or not. Its a simple universal equation that can be altered through different factors.

I have read that some people are apparently more sensitive to DHT/ androgens/ testosterone (don't remember which one) than others. It is this sensitivity that causes acne.

some have higher DHT:Testosterone ratio (higher % of T converts to DHT) making them more succeptible to getting acne.

Why does every website about acne claim exercise helps to reduce acne?

They equate acne with being unhealthy. Everyone with acne is some freak that only showers once a week and is a retarded gimp.

Fact is, high DHT individuals have higher IQs and are more alpha on average than people not prone to acne.

Tons of celebrities get acne, but they usually have on pounds of make-up and have the cash to go to crazy extremes to relieve it quickly (same goes with children from rich families). So it appears like only failures who never go anywhere in life get acne.

[B-Rad]

I'll also add that working out has a SERIOUS effect on sebum output. Just watch some HD movies and you'll see what I'm talking about. See how much oiler the faces of the actors/actresses look when they had to work out and get big for roles as opposed to roles where they didn't have to work out or in publicity shots. Some examples: Daniel Craig- Casino Royale, Christian Bale- Batman Begins, Brad Pitt- Troy, Hayden Christensen- Star Wars 3.

Some would argue it's from roid usage, but you'll see the exact same thing happens if you experiment it on yourself- without roids.