Despite this board's obsession with self-modification, there's very little talk of all of the things you can do outside of HRT. Let's do something about that!

As such I'm going to give making a new general a shot. Introducing /looksmaxgen/ (I know the name sucks, it's the best I could come up with).

Discuss things you do to feel more comfortable in your own skin (skincare, pioglitazone, weight loss, peptides, etc.). The only rule is no HRT discussion, let's save that for /hrtgen/.

>>40600061 (OP)
pio+1295 DAC = extra hip growth? can anyone weigh in at all?

>>40600061 (OP)
there have been guides floating around maybe some anons have on hand for you

>>40600061 (OP)
My tretinoin bottle looks exactly like this lol.
I need to get my eyebrows done but haven't done so yet. Partly it's that I have to know what to even ask for. Still guymoding, too. I guess that's the only looksmaxing thing in my reach for now, sorry.

>>40600061 (OP)
I'm going to be trying out a steamer and blackhead tool kit for my face. None of the salicylic treatments work. Maybe I'll do a comparison side-by-side later.

>>40600165
Pioglitazone is a PPAR-γ agonist. PPAR-γ agonists are known to reduce visceral fat, and there is some evidence that they have the effect of increasing subcutaneous fat within the lower extremities. There are all kinds of risks and gotchas, and it's very much an off label use for pioglitazone.
CJC-1295 is a GHRH analogue; it stimulates growth hormone secretion. I'm not sure whether or not evidence showing growth hormones are useful for that exists, but I have heard some people claim it's helpful for breast growth.
Either way, do your own research, a lot of this is vibesciency. Hopefully that points you in the right direction though!
>>40600176
I'd be happy to give them a look!
>>40600208
I can definitely relate on the eyebrows
>>40600219
Sounds interesting! I have tons of blackheads. @_@

>>40600260
>I have tons of blackheads. @_@
Yeah it's nasty. Could also work for pushing out filaments on your nose and maybe close the pores a bit more. Will try that too.

>>40600300
>Could also work for pushing out filaments
That would be AWESOME.
Fuck those things.

>>40600061 (OP)
https://www.perfectcorp.com/business/showcase/eyebrow
Dropping this here. I use it to try different eyebrow shapes, and then pluck into a shape I like. It makes a *big big* difference

>>40600308
omg I was literally looking for this page the other day! tysm!

how do you lose weight while having a social life? i spend so much time at my friend's houses or going out with them and we always eat but it's been making me maintain instead of lose for ages

>>40600208
I love how looksmaxing trans thread just involves what most straight and gay cis people would call the absolute bare minimum.

Tretinoin isnt a miracle drug, but it improves skin for most people. See a dermatologist. Invest in going to a salon for nails and eyebrows. Maybe you should ask them what to do at home.
>>40600219
What’s a blackhead kit? Just buy the cheap strips from Walgreens, they work fine
Get a facial from a well reviewed spa in your area
I’m gay but I recommend you all make some cis female friends to teach you the good local places to go

>>40600576
You can lose weight and go to social events. Just track your calories. Order a salad if you're eating and order a jack & diet or tequila soda if you're drinking.

>>40600665
In fairness, counting calories gets messy with mystery foods. People put all kinds of things on food that add calories.
I usually overestimate quite a bit when I’m eating something I don’t know the exact contents of.

does anyone have advice for reducing nose size? i know theyres non surgurical ways to reduce excess nose fat but idk what they are

>>40600685
Yeah same, I recently started throwing mystery food pictures into ChatGPT to get an estimate, but I definitely get the vibe it consistently underestimates, so I pad the number a bit

>>40600588
>I love how looksmaxing trans thread just involves what most straight and gay cis people would call the absolute bare minimum.
Most straight cis people aren’t doing anything more intricate than moisturizing and cleansing in my experience.

>>40600738
That’s an interesting use for ChatGPT.
Maybe I’ll test it out with foods I know the calorie count of to test it out.

>>40600665
yea it's hard for me to strictly count calories in public bc it's kinda cringe to pull out a food scale in public and i dont trust any other method (unless you're eating something fast food that comes with a calorie estimate)

>>40600756
the problem with chatgpt and any other ai based calorie counting apps is that they can't tell the recipe or brand based on a photo, eg one brand of white bread might be 120 cals per slice but a keto brand of white bread might be 40. and it also can't tell the ingredients, like a cake made with real sugar vs a sugar replacement or fries cooked in oil vs an air fryer. it's better to use a food scale they're only like 15 bucks

>>40600752
I mean r/vindicta and r/splendida (glow up subreddits) are a lot of hair/makeup/skincare, style, and weight/fitness.

>>40600773
If you actually start losing weight with whatever method you use, the people around you eventually stop cringing and start taking notes.
t. lost fucktons of weight by calorie counting

>>40600061 (OP)
Is tret worth it if my skin is already really good, my only issue is tiredness under the eyes. Are the anti aging effects strong? I have a 0.1 tube I been using on my body for discolouration idk if I should start my face too?

>>40600812
Don't tell these troons they gonna flood those and get vindicta made private again

I'm a male who's happy being a male, but I've been taking tirzepatide shots and I'm down 21 lbs! Also on isotretinoin and my skin's never looked better

>>40600937
i think youre ont supposed to use under eyes as the skin is too thin and it also can migrate to your eyes and if it does it can destroy your sebum glands, that's what ive heard

anybody use the amazon pharmacy virtual doctor to get tretinoin or other skin meds? are there surprise costs without insurance?

wait i thought tretinoin was just for acne? I dont have acne anymore (i took isotretinoin pills) so is it useful for anything?

>>40601309
Oooh I'll be careful then, I think I heard something like that too. I've been looking into PDRNs for the under eye esp, have you tried any? I just got back from Korea and brought some so wish me luck

My only problem with skincare and everything is like it's just so hard to know if it's worth it if your skins already great and you're young I can't tell if I am wasting my time and money or what

>>40601365
it's also prescribed for topical anti-aging. according to reddit cishons it's 100x better than otc 1% retinol but then there are studies that say they're the same shit. i don't know and i'm going to try a 1% retinol serum because it's only $8 on amazon.

>>40600061 (OP)
I’m gonna give taz a try once it comes in the mail, used tret in the past but might as well give it a go.
>>40600260
This completely anecdotal but I’ve been on HRT for a long ass time and started pio like 6ish weeks ago and have gained a solid inch on my bust despite dropping 2kg in that time, got horrible breast pain like when I started e and prog. Have a friend who reported same breast pain from starting too. but I think pio does have some effect on breast fat.

I tried to use The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane once a week and it just gives me redness for 2-3 days. What to do? Is it too strong for me?

>>40600812
most cis people don’t do that shit dumbass, only a fairly small group. i’d wager most cishet guys don’t even moisturize

>>40600061 (OP)
how to make boobs grow without a BA
how to make srs scars go away

>>40601629
BA is worth it if it gives you better tits nona

>>40600061 (OP)
super anecdote but im taking 1g of hyaloronic acid every day for a month now and i distinctly remember having gaunt cheeks that are gone now, pic related

i know theres kenalog/kenacort thats also often used for post-rhino swelling of thickskinned people. i think it can be used to reduce the size, but you gotta be really careful with it.

>>40601464
>according to reddit cishons it's 100x better than otc 1% retinol
yes it is better. I have all kinds of retinol creams, but only tretinoin actually makes me shed after 1 week

>>40600719
>>40601674
wooops forgot to reply

Any shotamaxxing tips? I want to look as young as possible to maximize my SMV as a bottom
t. 19yo aging twink

>>40602076
estrogen and ffs, maybe voice training depending on how deep/manly your voice is

>>40601667
What brand? I assume you got it in raw powdered form

>>40602193
Im using the profuel 500mg +2mg zinc ones on amazon but am looking for powder too as its expensive
At least these seem to work, kinda scared of buying any large quantity first because so many vendors seem to sell u fakestuff

>>40602076
Bica + tamox, tret + sunscreen, diet + exercise.

>>40601615
Start at 0.5% and move up after 6 weeks. Also start at every other day.

>>40601629
Re: srs scars

It depends on the method etc and your own body but use silicon scar tape, it's the best for it. I used to put scar gel on the labia too and that scarring has faded now

i started using hard wax in a wax heater recently, its so easy to use and rips out all the hair and isnt that painful. ive been waxing my face and not having to shave every day for the first time ever.

>>40602734
>SERMS meme in 2025

skip the brain tumor inducing sugar pills and just take progesterone, dutasteride, bicalutamide and then eventaully just take estrogen you tranny

I'm an AMAB who's "kinda andro" and I wanna be full andro or femboy, what are some maxxing things I could do?

>>40603635
Can you give more details I wanna try this

>>40602734
No tamoxifene and no bicalutamide.
SERMs and bicalutamide both raise testosterone. This results in the bicalutamide not being able to properly suppress all of the androgenic activity and excess T aromatizing into E, often causing breast growth.
If you’re going to take a SERM you need and antigonadotropin. Most people go with relugolix or CPA.
Also, do not take tamoxifen. It is shit. Raloxifene, bazedoxifene, and lasofoxifene are the ones worth looking at. The latter two are better than raloxifene, but are hard to obtain.

>>40601602
Where'd you get the taz?
I've been interested in trying it on my body. I have keratosis pilaris and taz is supposedly pretty good at nuking it.
>>40601667
>hyaloronic acid
Very interesting.
I didn't know you could take it as a supplement.
>>40603676
SERMs aren't a meme, they do work when used properly, they are just flawed in a lot of ways. YMMV, even more-so than with regular HRT.
Also tamoxifen is shit.
>progesterone, dutasteride, bicalutamide
Why progesterone without any estrogen? Does it do anything on its own?

i tried bica + ralox and it was awful. bica was decaying the muscles in my spine giving me back pain, ralox was blocking estrogen in my joints making them painful, and bica also blocks testosterone in the skin, reducing collagen and making it dry, dull, and wrinkly. i stopped taking it a couple weeks ago and i'm starting to feel and look better.

>>40605571
>bica + ralox
Can you guys please stop doing that?
Seriously. Who is telling you guys raloxifene and bicalutamide is a valid regimen? I wanna have a word with them.

any supplements i can take for further feminization on top of my normal hrt? ive been on E for 7 years now but still feel like im not getting enough changes. my levels are around 200 but somehow its like i have the results of getting hondosed

>>40605758
a lot of people itt are recommending it. i'm just taking dutasteride and astaxanthin now, along with the typical topical skincare routine. is there anything else i can do to be more feminine without growing boobs?

>>40603635
same what is this

>>40603695
this

>>40605898
astaxanthin? online it says that's an antioxidant that doesn't do anything?

>>40603695
Dutasteride is always a good idea. It gets rid of DHT, which is a highly potent version of testosterone. SERMs and traditional HRT also exist.
I'm sure there are more options beyond that though. Maybe there are some cool skincare peptides or something. Hopefully some other anons weigh in.
>>40605898
>is there anything else i can do to be more feminine without growing boobs?
There are a few things you can do. This paper by Transfem Science is probably the best resource that exists: https://transfemscience.org/articles/nonbinary-transfem-overview/.
If you ever want to try doing SERMs the right way, take relugolix or another antigonadotropin (i.e. buserelin, CPA) with the SERM. You could also add in some low-dose estrogen, but you'd have to figure out how high of a dose you can take without inducing breast growth. Some people also recommend adding in 17a-E2 (a less feminizing estrogen with bone health and neuroprotective benefits), but it is hard to source.

>>40605877
Progesterone is the typical recommendation, but I'm sure you know that already.
Pioglitazone is a recommendation some people have because it reduces visceral fat and is theorized to encourage fat distribution towards the lower extremities. Pioglitazone has a dubious safety profile, however.
Some people also believe MK-677 and other manners of raising hGH levels help, but I don't know how much evidence there is for that.
Obviously do your own research, all of these aside from progesterone are potentially dangerous.

>>40606005
it's good for skin it's supposed to be a natural sunscreen and give the skin color. it's what makes salmon, shrimp, and lobster pink.
>>40606133
where do i buy that stuff? what about topical estrogens?

>>40600588
>I love how looksmaxing trans thread just involves what most straight and gay cis people would call the absolute bare minimum
I never said I was really doing looksmaxing, I haven't even done my eyebrows. I'm not saying it's more than the bare minimum.

>>40606223
>where do i buy that stuff?
I got a bunch from AIPCTShop. Any overseas pharmacy site that sells HRT will also sell dutasteride.
If you want a ton of it you could also try and import raw powder and compound it into capsules yourself. Then you'll have to worry about learning to compound and storing your raws though. The benefit is that you can get a supply that'll last decades for a hundred bucks or so, which means you won't ever have to worry about getting fucked by a customs crackdown or something.
Topical estrogens are interesting. They aren't a bad option, but you'll likely have to compound your own. That's something I'm looking at doing as well. I'll post the recipe I use once I get around to it.

>>40606133
Dutasteride has come up in discussion a lot - where I live it's easier to get my hands on Finasteride but it's less effective from my understanding.

I'm worried about the potential sexual effects but they look reversible if I just stop taking it?

Also thank you so much for that link, I know it wasn't for me but I took a look and it is pretty much a bible for what I'm trying to do :)

(An aside: but everyone on this fucking board is a chemist I swear. It's cool but big words scare me and I find myself having to google most of the replies I read, lol)

>>40606344
>Dutasteride has come up in discussion a lot - where I live it's easier to get my hands on Finasteride but it's less effective from my understanding.
Finasteride is OK too, but it isn't as good. Dutasteride is best.
>I'm worried about the potential sexual effects but they look reversible if I just stop taking it?
They are absolutely reversible, but they are also pretty fucking rare. I wouldn't even worry about it to be honest.
Even the sexual effects of full HRT are reversible within a few months in >90% of people.

do people ever actually get prescribed dutasteride or is it all diy. Finasteride is so easy to get an rx for but nowhere seems to prescribe dut

>>40606432
It's generally only prescribed for prostate issues.
If you wanted it for male pattern baldness you'd probably have to ask by name.
If you just want it because you don't want the effects of DHT, it may be hard to get prescribed. I'd just DIY it to be honest. The medical system is cucked.

>>40605054
>Hyaloronic acid
Im pretty sure its way more effective orally than topically, i did use a facial peptide and HA cream from cosrx before but never got close to the plump im getting from the pills

i've had extreme light sensitivity for so long that squinting has made my eyebrows sit lower on my brow ridge than normal. how do i fix that without botox? are there forehead exercises to tighten my muscles the other direction lmao?

On the topic of estrogen, its a good idea to check for estrogen metabolites via a dutch estrogen metabolites panel urine test. The gist of it is, by slow COMT and MTHFR genes, one might have a slower "clearing" of estrogen metabolites and they can accumulate. Theyre often E1 or E3 adjacent and if there is enough of them, it might compete with E2 for your receptors.
All of this is highly theoretical and based on anecdotes from the willpowers subreddit. An mtf woman apparently had unexpected feminization benefits from cimetidine because of the downstream estrogen metabolites clearing effect

Is there any interest to be on bica + duta to minimize effects of dht or bica alone is enough? I'm post op, I'm staying on bica because testosterone produced by adrenal glands still has too much effects on me

One other things, for srs scars, has any of you been prescribed ialuronic acid lotion and did it do anything to minimize the size / overall uncanny aspect ?

>>40606281
ty! i'm >>40605898 btw, i'm already on dut and i found powder online (i hope it's real lol)
>>40606158
i've tried mk677! it's good for leg day:3 gives appetite, which helps if you're scrawny, and it's good for skin and sleep. and unlike most bodybuilding chemicals, it's not masculinizing. it actually makes my nipples puffy though, probably just from water retrntion and maybe prolactin.
>>40606344
the side effects are way overblown. i had no issues with dut+bica.
>>40606432
i've had it prescribed, just have to ask. if they say no find another dermatologist. when i was younger i got rejected for fin but i had no issue getting dut prescribed so it's random. you can either be like "i've heard dutasteride is better than finasteride and i'd like to try it" or if you want to imply that you've already been on it, which clears the dr of worries about side effects, you can be like "i ran out of dutasteride which i was taking for my hair and need a renewal." a primary can also prescribe it. or you can just buy it online

>>40605571
>and bica also blocks testosterone in the skin, reducing collagen and making it dry, dull, and wrinkly. i stopped taking it a couple weeks ago and i'm starting to feel and look better.
Chat is this true? Is small amounts of test in the skin actually needed to prevent this

>>40606375
Alright awesome, ngl you've convinced me I'll find a way to get that shit asap :)

>>40606943
I'm a britfag I hope my shitty med system is the same...

remember to take a lot of vitamins for skin care
and do not do drugs / smoke and drink

>>40607129
>I'm a britfag I hope my shitty med system is the same...
I wouldn't even bother with trying to get it from NHS.
Your call though.

What's the best way to lose weight before starting pio?

>>40610357
literally just eat less or take ozempic if its that hard to stop eating like a fatass

>>40610357
>>40610884
basically this, just eat less. Eat lesser lose moreer

>>40610357
zero sugar, one small meal a day. you will drop weight like crazy

>>40606961
testosterone stimulates skin collagen production.
Estrogen stimulates collagen (a little bit less), and elastane.

>>40611044
>elastane
Spandex? I think you mean elasticity.

>>40610357
If you wanna drop more than a couple of pounds fast and you're already taking wacky drugs as is a weight loss peptide might be worth considering.
Retatrutide is the best weight loss drug in existence right now. It's still experimental, but if you're using pioglitazone off-label you may be willing to mess around with it.
Otherwise go for tirzepatide.

>>40605571
This is hilarious because its actually the opposite, bica + ralox actually make testosterone go up, combined together they would have shot your testosterone to nuclear levels that the bica could no longer block hence your shitty skin

>>40600061 (OP)
Has anyone fucked with skincare peptides?
I've heard of people taking GHK-CU/BPC-157/TB-500 blends and getting good results, I'm not sure that having to inject that everyday would be worth the hassle though.

>>40606612
Can squinting actually modify your face structure like that???

>>40612673
it's not as bad as i made it sound but i do have resting bitch face. i have to manually hold my eyebrows in their neutral position. a medical issue i've had since age 8 is slowly destroying my corneas with every recurrence. i wouldn't wear my sunglasses growing up due to bullying at school. i have to squint hard when outdoors without them. the muscles that pull my brows down are just too tight, if that makes sense.

>>40606961
my skin is way drier on bica only, and soft and nice on my current regime, 6mg cypro daily and 100mg bica weekly because of dht anxiety

>>40612744
Interesting. Unsure why the cypro would have that effect.
I do know some people get drier skin without T because of the lower sebum production though.

>>40601667
Gonna take hyralonic supplements now, my cheek bones are like shovels

>>40611547
no that's not right, have you tried these medications? bica blocks T and dries out the skin. when T is active skin gets oily. my skin is starting to get oily again now and it's looking much better both my face and all over. i was collagen depleted all over. my actual T was higher but it had nowhere to go

>>40611084
sorry, i mean elastin. look it up

>>40614056
Bicalutamide blocks T’s signaling, which causes the endocrine system to detect low T levels and secrete more. Raloxifene does something similar.
When you have that much T raising activity going on it becomes challenging for the bicalutamide to completely block everything. Unless you were taking an absolutely massive bicalutamide dose (>250mg), it’s almost certain the bicalutamide wasn’t able to fully suppress T’s activity.

>>40606375
Is there any point taking more than 1mg fin if I'm on 12.5mg cypro as is?
I'm probably just gonna get it fixed surgically but I'm hoping hrt might help a little.

>>40614948
It can't hurt you. It's hard to say whether or not it'd be useful without a DHT and T blood test though.
Look into topical minoxidil by the way. It's over the counter and helps significantly.

>>40614768
the endocringe system detects high e levels too though which would have the opposite effect of drugs like clomid. it's a weird medication for sure. all i can say is it wasn't good for my skin and the effects it caused in my skin (dryness, paleness, wrinkles) are consistent with low T

>>40600061 (OP)
Please help me self actualize I’m losing my MIND will jaw surgery screw me if I somehow decide I’m ok being a man

>>40615246
people want to move maxilla forward not jaw back. but you look like you have good forward growth and projection to me so idk
you have a good balance of handsomeness and softness

>>40615281
Chin reduction. I want to cut my chin off. I never liked it

>>40615330
yeah ask a jaw forum desu

>>40615246
If you'd like to ditch the Lord Farquaad chin I'd say go for it.

>>40614980
I'm on like mino spray/liquid as well but yeah forgot to mention.
I think I'm seeing progress but worried it's hon delusions

>>40615281
Why is forward growth and projection good

>>40616058
Indicative of good genetic markers. Creates an ideal golden ration between chin, lips and nose. Faces that lack definition and growth do not stand out or look pretty. Recessed jaws for example are indicative of poor bone structure, poor diets, bad teeth and posture.

>>40611821
Seconding this.