If you’re trying to lose weight or pack on muscle, you need to be aware of a common men’s skin problem: stretch marks. They’re unsightly and pretty stubborn unless you use the right men’s skincare products. We’ve put together an exhaustive list to help you prevent and reduce these pesky skin lines on men. But first, some background information on stretch marks.
What Are Male Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are reddish/purplish fine lines that are caused by the overstretching of skin. When skin is overstretched, the production of collagen is disrupted; collagen is the main protein found in your connective tissue and is needed to keep your skin taut. If this process is disturbed, skin lacks the necessary support and ends up tearing, resulting in a scar. This scar is known as a stretch mark.
Stretch marks on men’s skin can result from several factors. If you’re an active male, chances are you have a stretch mark or two. They’re most common on athletes, bodybuilders and other individuals who have either lost weight or increased muscle mass too fast for their skin to adapt; rapid weight loss and weight gain are the usual reasons for the appearance of stretch marks.
Ways to Prevent Male Stretch Marks
The best solution to male stretch marks is prevention. Once a stretch mark has developed, it’s difficult to get it to disappear completely. Here are some ways you can minimize the risk of developing stretch marks on men’s skin.
1. Avoid rapid weight loss and/or weight gain. Whether you want to lose fat or gain some muscle, the key is to do it gradually. A healthy rate of losing weight or gaining muscle is 1-2 pounds per week. Any more than that and you increase the risk of stretching your skin too fast. For nutritional advice, be sure to check out MenScience Boot Camp.
2. Moisturize. Moisturizing with a men’s moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid and vitamin A can help prevent stretch marks on men’s skin. The key is to make it a habit – moisturizing once or twice a week isn’t going to cut it. Moisturizing at least twice a day is ideal. Areas to focus on include your abdomen, chest, arms and shoulders. To make the most out of your moisturizer, check out “Men’s Moisturizer Tips.”
3. Take your vitamins. Antioxidants like vitamin A and E are crucial for skin health, so make you’re getting enough. Load up on fruits and veggies and take a men’s multivitamin to cover all the bases. While these vitamins are great for your skin, they’re also key to an overall healthy body. Consider taking an antioxidant supplement as well to help fight off aging signs.
How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks on Men’s Skin
1. Get a (fake) tan. Tinted moisturizers can help cover up stretch marks by giving your skin a tanned appearance. By helping blend stretch marks into your natural skin tone, a self-tanner or men’s bronzer can make your skin look like new. Just make sure you avoid cheap sprays that will leave you looking an unnatural shade of orange. Your best bet is MenScience Facial Tone Enhancer, which contains natural pigments and can be used all over your body.
2. Avoid sun exposure. The worst thing you can do to stretch marks is expose them to the sun; they’re resistant to tanning and can actually become more purple – or even black – from excessive sun exposure. Make sure you have adequate skin protection when outdoors: Use a men’s SPF 30 sunblock that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Also, remember to stay hydrated. Read “9 Hydration Tips for Men” for great tips on getting enough water.
3. Moisturize. In addition to preventing male stretch marks, moisturizing helps reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks. Again, you should focus on men’s moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid and vitamin A, which help boost skin health.
4. Exfoliate regularly. Using a men’s body scrub with men’s exfoliating gloves helps remove dead skin cells and encourages the growth of new ones, which can help minimize a stretch mark’s appearance. Don’t overdo it, though. Try it once a day for two weeks and see if your stretch marks start to improve. For more info on exfoliation, check out “Exfoliation 101.”
5. Have patience. Stretch marks don’t appear overnight and they certainly don’t disappear overnight either. If you follow the above advice, you’ll notice many of your stretch marks will start to lose their purplish/reddish color and gradually return to your natural skin tone. You have to be realistic: Some will go away and others won’t, but they’ll definitely be less noticeable. It just takes time.
