A man who started taking steroids to boost his muscle growth in the gym has revealed how they caused severe acne and scarring on his back – now he’s warning others about the dangers.
When Johnathon James, a private contractor from Texas, started training to build muscle, he turned to steroids to promote “rapid growth.”
Soon he noticed that his muscles were growing much faster than he expected and remembered that his hormones were thrown into chaos, causing shocking symptoms.
In a clip uploaded to TikTok, which has 14.8 million views and more than 764,000 likes, he reveals the “excruciating” struggle with his skin.
The 20-year-old, who works out at the gym six times a week, with a minimum of two hours per session, immediately decided to take steroids to see what would happen. He said: ‘It has caused the most fleeting yet intense pain I have ever experienced’
He said, “It has produced the most fleeting yet intense pain I have ever experienced.
“If I lie in the wrong position, if I rest my back on a chair incorrectly, or if I’m in the shower and a jet of water hits my back, then I have such severe pain that my eyes become blurred and my ears go whiz.
While saying his back “always feels awful,” the fitness fanatic claims he will continue using them due to the change in his body
“It’s only for a few seconds, but it’s terrible.
“It affects what materials I can wear, where I can sit or lie down, but I haven’t treated it with anything [yet].
“I plan to see a dermatologist and will share my experience online.”
The 20-year-old, who works out at the gym six times a week, with a minimum of two hours per session, immediately decided to take steroids to see what would happen.
In the video, Johnathon begins by sharing a photo of his back in the gym, which appears to be covered in acne, red spots, and scars.
While saying his back “always feels awful,” the fitness fanatic claims he will continue using them because of the change in his body.
Users have flocked to the comments to share their reactions, and many are concerned.
“I hope you’re kidding,” entrepreneur Chris Choi said.
Someone else said, ‘Why are you on steroids now? Too early dude.’
“Why would you do that to yourself,” another user added.
Another said, “Bro, it’s not worth it.”
“Bros do it to teach us not to,” someone else added, followed by two skull emojis.
Johnathon warns others not to follow in his footsteps, but he’s still working to fix the problem himself.
He added, “I would strongly recommend that no one takes steroids because I don’t think they are the right thing to do.
“I try to cover up the acne when others are around, but some of my relatives are aware of the severity of the symptoms.
“I never expected the pain I went through and I want to warn others to think twice if they are considering supplements or steroids.”
Studies have suggested that steroids increase the body’s production of immune system receptors called TLR2, which promote acne.
Combined with an imbalance of P acnes bacteria, this elevated level of TLR2 receptors can trigger an inflammatory response and trigger acne breakouts.
Steroids can also cause acne by increasing oil production by hormones.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 4.9 percent of men and 2.4 percent of women have used steroids in high school, calling it a “dangerous combination.”
Steroid use can cause hair loss, cyst development, and acne. In the worst cases, it can cause significant and potentially deadly heart problems.
Experts also say it fuels a condition called “muscular dysmorphia,” in which a person will believe they are too small no matter how much muscle they put on.