Men’s stretch marks happen and are very common and don’t just show up on women’s bodies. I’m not sure why we assumed anything different. This is probably why a lot of men walk around with stretch marks feeling insecure and clueless about how to handle them. Often, men’s stretch marks happen because of losing or gaining weight really quickly.
Whilst losing a bunch of weight might boost a guy’s overall confidence. What’s the point if you’re walking around covered in these little lines? Shedding unhealthy weight is a very good thing and can help prevent diseases like diabetes. However, if you lose weight too quickly it can have its downsides.
Last year, I wrote another article on stretch marks but for some reason, we didn’t see, to think about men. This is a problem that happens to all of us. It’s important that we teach you the preventative tool so that you can handle them when men’s stretch marks happen. Skin experts call stretch marks, striae distensae. The term isn’t really used amongst the general population. However, these zig-zag red or white marks can really annoy you after a while. It doesn’t take long to feel uncomfortable about men’s stretch marks.
Don’t stress about life when men’s stretch marks happen because they’re perfectly normal. Everybody experiences them, including men. Luckily there are many natural remedies you can use to help reduce the appearance of these marks.
Men’s Stretch Marks Happen But They Don’t Define You
There is a very big misunderstanding about these sudden markings on our skin. Many people seem to think that it’s something only women experience. Sadly for the guys who think this, you do too! Researchers believe that people assume this is because women often develop stretch marks when their skin rapidly grows to accommodate their newborn baby. In fact, some research says that men might be even more susceptible to men’s stretch marks.
- hormones
- physical stretching of the skin
- changes to skin cells
- adrenal diseases, like Cushing syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or Marfan’s syndrome
- growth spurts during puberty
- rapid weight loss or gain
- weight training with rapid muscle growth
According to Healthline, men’s stretch marks happen because of certain life events. This means that natural processes like puberty, weight gain, and weight loss can have this effect. Often, both of these factors cause hormonal changes which do impact the stretching of your skin. Moreover, men’s stretch marks happen a lot of the time because of genetics. Unfortunately, it can run in the family. Some men might find that members of their family have gotten stretch marks, which makes you more likely to get them too.
There have also been a few studies that have identified a link between using corticosteroid creams for an extended time period. This includes prescription-strength hydrocortisone to treat eczema, which might increase your chances of seeing stretch marks.
Why Do Men’s Stretch Marks Happen?
In case you didn’t already know. Men’s stretch marks happen anywhere on your skin. But they are more likely to show up when there is rapid weight gain, loss, or muscle growth. Research says that it’s more common for teenage men to see men’s stretch marks happen on their buttocks, calves, back, or thighs. And in adult males, they usually happen in the buttocks area.
Men’s stretch marks happen and are essentially a scar that develops when collagen and elastin, two proteins that keep skin healthy, are damaged. Dr. Nazanin Saedi, M.D., the director of the Jefferson Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Center in Philadelphia, says losing weight slowly can lower your chances of developing stretch marks. Dr. Konstantinos Spaniolas, associate director of the Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center at Stony Brook University, explains that it’s best to lose no more than one percent of your body weight each week. This helps you retain muscle and weight loss. Better yet, it also reduces the likelihood of getting stretch marks.
If you’re into weight lifting. Men’s stretch marks happen and can show up easily too. This is because they sometimes gain muscle mass too quickly which also forms men’s stretch marks.
Often men’s stretch marks happen and start as pink or red. However, your blood flow to the area will increase as a way to try to repair the damage. That’s why they started turning a translucent white.
Remedies To Treat Men’s Stretch Marks
Luckily there are a few options to try if you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation of seeing stretch marks developing. In fact, they’re not always expensive either. You can try some of these home remedies if you like. Most claim that they might help reduce the appearance of men’s stretch marks as well as women’s. Most remedies are topical oils or creams. Try some of these:
- almond oil
- cocoa butter
- olive oil
- vitamin E
If anything, these remedies will help moisturize your skin. There isn’t any evidence to prove that they will get rid of your stretch marks. But they might help reduce their appearance. According to an article looking at several randomized controlled trials on women, cocoa butter, vitamin E, and olive oil were not effective in reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
However, Healthline explains that one study did discover the effectiveness of massaging with vitamin E oil in pregnant women. This significantly helped reduce the appearance of stretch marks. It’s worth a try, but I wouldn’t count on this study as hardcore evidence.
Many creams, lotions, and oils have not been proven by science. However, there are thousands of people who use them and openly state that they do work wonders. If you want to try them then the American Academy of Dermatology recommends a few tips for effective use:
- Use the product when you first see men’s stretch marks or notice signs of itching. Topical products don’t usually work well on old stretch marks.
- Massage the products in. Massage seems to help the products work more effectively.
- Apply the product consistently over the course of several weeks to months.
A lot of these lotions and creams are very hydrating for the skin and will get rid of the itchiness you’re experiencing on your skin. I know self-tanning isn’t a remedy, but it can help reduce the appearance. Better yet, go outside and lay in the sun for a bit of sun-kissed vitamin C.
Medical Treatments For When Men’s Stretch Marks Happen
Dermatologists often suggest treatments, using hyaluronic acid or vitamin A, to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, two large studies found that applying hyaluronic acid when men’s stretch marks happen, the acid significantly reduces their visibility.
They also got the same results for retinoid creams, which are forms of vitamin A that encourage skin cell turnover. If you needed to apply the cream frequently, over the course of 24 weeks your stretch marks will need to fade.
Medical treatments that may help reduce stretch marks include:
- chemical peel
- laser therapy
- microdermabrasion
- radiofrequency
- ultrasound
Sadly, there is no evidence to prove the effectiveness of these treatments. This is not because they don’t work, it’s because the studies are done on a very small scale. But I do believe they will help reduce the appearance. Often, genetics and hormones play a massive role in stretch marks and this means you might not be able to prevent them entirely.
As always, the best way to avoid or reduce them is to maintain a healthy weight without rapid fluctuations. This reduces skin stretching, for when men’s stretch marks happen.
What’s the conclusion? Well, if men’s stretch marks happen are they’re upsetting you, then the best solution is to talk to your dermatologist about possible treatment options and preventive measures. They will provide you with expert advice and provide you with the correct treatment according to your health needs.
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