R
RandalJones
Iron
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2026
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Playing around with the idea of starting accutane within the next couple of months if I don’t get the results I want from topicals (currently using 0.1% tret). Was wondering if anyone has any input on if starting could potentially limit or have any negative effects on hypertrophy? I have a few theories as how it could be limiting but I could be overthinking.
First would be the common joint pain and tendon stiffness preventing me from actually achieving the necessary stimulus by hindering my ability to progress. I’m a pretty advanced gymcel at this point and the margins of progression are very slim (adding 1 rep to each movement each session with standardized form is the best case scenario and we’re talking about ultra stable, unilateral movements here optimized for hypertrophy). I know that this pain and stiffness will manifest differently for everyone but was wondering if anyone had any experience with it hindering their ability to progress and push with intensity on resistance movements.
Secondly would be the anti-inflammatory effects of accutane reducing the local inflammatory signalling that is part of the adaptation process if I actually achieve the stimulus. Was on antibiotics a while back and was wondering why I was regressing on all my movements only to put it together a few weeks into the medication. Seems like accutane doesn’t have any inhibitory effects on mTOR or muscle protein synthesis but I’m still a little concerned.
That’s about it, let me know if these theories have any weight to them or if you think my training and recovery would be fine. It’s a sacrifice I’d be willing to make regardless in order to have skin I can be confident with but I was just curious to see if anyone has any input or experience.
First would be the common joint pain and tendon stiffness preventing me from actually achieving the necessary stimulus by hindering my ability to progress. I’m a pretty advanced gymcel at this point and the margins of progression are very slim (adding 1 rep to each movement each session with standardized form is the best case scenario and we’re talking about ultra stable, unilateral movements here optimized for hypertrophy). I know that this pain and stiffness will manifest differently for everyone but was wondering if anyone had any experience with it hindering their ability to progress and push with intensity on resistance movements.
Secondly would be the anti-inflammatory effects of accutane reducing the local inflammatory signalling that is part of the adaptation process if I actually achieve the stimulus. Was on antibiotics a while back and was wondering why I was regressing on all my movements only to put it together a few weeks into the medication. Seems like accutane doesn’t have any inhibitory effects on mTOR or muscle protein synthesis but I’m still a little concerned.
That’s about it, let me know if these theories have any weight to them or if you think my training and recovery would be fine. It’s a sacrifice I’d be willing to make regardless in order to have skin I can be confident with but I was just curious to see if anyone has any input or experience.
