I have a serious question for you WP because obviously you have probably done extensive research already. Once you do it, are you stuck with that shape or size? What about the small gains that you're still making, how do they come into play with synthol in the way?
What size are your arms at now?
Okay, so keep in mind I'm not an expert, but here is my general idea of how it seems to work... Keep in mind, people are so fucking vague with info about synthol online, it's actually quite irritating.
With the synthol that has silica added, it is significantly MORE permanent. When the oil is absorbed, the silica remains.
With the synthol that's just oil, lidocaine etc., the oil does disappear. The idea of this synthol is the oil "stretches" the fascia temporarily. With that, allegedly, there is more "room" for the tissue to grow.
Basically, option 1 with the silica is more of an implant, and option 2 is a temporary "stretch" to allow growth. I am more attracted to option 2. You shouldn't be "stuck" with the size increase with option 2, as it's not leaving a permanent substance behind, it's a lot like AAS injections. The primary differences are the amount (~3ccs for gear vs. ~9ccs for synthol), the oil type/viscosity and the injection method (synthol goes into the heads of the muscle, whereas AAS is ideally injected into the belly or the thickest part).
With the other gains you're currently making, I'm sure they happen simultaneously. Theoretically, they should happen at a faster rate.
As far as arm size, I actually don't have a clue! I will measure them when I can. But truthfully, the size doesn't matter to me as much as the overall appearance and proportions.
I don't judge you for it if you decide to do it WP but I think the negatives of synthol outweigh the positive... you hear more about synthol deformities more than some one who was able to use it cleanly
As with many things friend, the public dwells on the negatives... Have you ever looked at Yelp! reviews? People only go on to talk shit, rarely give praise. Humans are attracted to negativity in general...
It's not something I would consider doing myself. However, I don't have the time in you do, I'm not nearly at your level. We all know you as a person who has really put the work and research in. So I'm sure that you believe, and are probably correct, in claiming you have exhausted all possibilities for fixing the imbalance. And that your genetics are fucking you. That has to be frustrating as hell.
The only thing I haven't seen you doing much is very heavy lifting. PL doesn't put much stock in arm size, but some of the principles are applicable to all body parts. Big is strong and all. Have you done mentzer/DC, or whatever else past failure stuff? I don't have much business giving you advice, but might give you some options to try before you pull the trigger.
I can also sympathize with the negative camp. It does seem "vain" or prosthetic. But that's the same goddamned argument that non steroid users give about us. We do the same shit with DNP, and I don't necessarily think it's warranted. Most of us use for vanity's sake, or for the ego boost from being the strongest bastard in your county. I won't throw stones in a glass house. The stuff is out there to use, and demonizing it, and refusing to admit to it's use, does nothing other than increase the rate of the horror stories.
Your truthfulness about all aspects of your use is commendable. This shit is what makes it a truly great log. If you choose to do it, I'd love to read about it.
Thanks brother, it's always been my goal to keep my experiences/log as honest and open as possible. It will always be used as an open forum where all questions, comments and thoughts are allowed.
Genetics are funny. You know, I was talking with a good friend of mine yesterday about it. He's about 45 and has YEARS of training clients under his belt, so the knowledge is there. I was talking to him about synthol, and I think I changed his opinion a bit. He knows that I work my ass off, and do what I believe it everything I can to grow. He started by saying the addition of synthol gives the ILLUSION of fitness, therefore it is fundamentally wrong. This truly is a great point, as a lot of bodybuilding is giving the illusion of fitness. However, the introduction of things like DNP (as you mentioned), diuretics etc. give the ILLUSION of fitness, when they're really the opposite! He wasn't aware of the two different types of synthol, and in what ways the two work... We both did however come to the general consensus for now it's better to NOT use synthol as I prepare for a cut, just seems counterproductive...
I haven't tried TOO much of Mentzer's stuff, I really don't enjoy pre exhausting tris before chest, for example. I suppose I could dabble in it more, however I think adding an FST 7 routine to the end of my arm day as
@OdieM recommended might be my first change. I haven't done FST 7 in a while, and I actually used to love it to finish up a GVT session. For example, I'd do a 10x10 on squats and if my quads were lagging hit an FST 7 on quads, worked pretty damn well.
As a whole, we generally frown upon synthol, however we idolize/respect those who clearly use it... I do believe it's a bit of a double standard.
I repect Jay Cutler tremendously, take a look at his bicep and tell me if YOU think there's synthol in there:
The list goes on... Lee Priest, Kai Greene (his lats look like tubes of oil)....