Stretch marks in men: methods of combating (in 2021)

Stretch marks in men: mechanism of formation

Striae or stretch marks are formed due to stretching of the skin. They represent microtraumas of the hypodermis (lower layer of skin).

They do not cause discomfort, but they spoil the appearance, and also indicate serious health problems, since they always appear against the background of pathological processes in the body.

The mechanism of development of striae is simple. Stretch marks on the body of men appear due to mechanical damage to the skin tissue and subcutaneous tissue due to a deficiency of collagen and elastin.

These substances are responsible for the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Normally, they are produced by fibroblasts in sufficient quantities, but with age or when exposed to unfavorable factors, production slows down.

The result is a deficiency of these substances. The skin loses its elasticity, and at the same time its ability to recover quickly.

Any strong mechanical impact leads to rupture of elastic fibers. The damaged areas are filled with connective tissue, which has different properties than subcutaneous tissue.

In fact, the skin is not restored, but scarred. Striae are peculiar scars.

Due to damaged capillaries, stretch marks may appear bright purple or burgundy. But over time they lighten, most noticeable on tanned skin.

They form unnoticeably. Only when the skin is severely torn are itching, tingling, and burning sensations likely.

How to remove stretch marks on the arms of women and men

If stretch marks appear on your arms, it is recommended to first consult with your doctor to rule out the presence of diseases. Later, you can begin treatment; this can be done at home. The main thing is to start fighting stretch marks on your arms as quickly as possible, because it’s easier to get rid of them before they turn white or even red. Attempts to get rid of them can take quite a long time, but the result is worth it: stretch marks will either become practically indistinguishable or disappear altogether. Under no circumstances should you give up trying.

Of course, salon procedures are the most effective. They work as follows: they remove the upper part of the skin on the hands, where the scars are located, because of this, regeneration begins and the production of collagen fibers is activated. Cosmetic sessions are better at eliminating fresh stretch marks. If a lot of time has passed, they may make them smaller and less pronounced.

At home

To get rid of red stretch marks on your arms, you need to regularly massage the problem areas with a scrub several times a week. With its help you can remove dead particles of the epidermis. It is important to rub special cosmetics into the skin of your hands that help the skin regenerate. They can be bought in pharmacies or stores.

Attention! Pregnant women need to use creams that are designed specifically for pregnant women, with ingredients that cannot harm the fetus.

The stronger sex should not neglect special creams; without cosmetics it is quite difficult to get rid of stretch marks on the hands.

You can use pharmaceutical ointments for scars. Pharmaceutical companies offer a huge selection of such cosmetics. Dermatologists recommend buying:

Cream "Avent". It is advisable to use creams when stretch marks are fresh and reddish in color. Later these funds will not be so effective.
Mustela cream.
Gel "Kontraktubeks". The main active substance of this drug is acid. It removes scars, and onions have a stimulating effect, provoking the production of collagen fibers. The gel can be applied to women prone to allergic reactions, as its composition is completely natural.

You can really remove stretch marks on your arm by massaging problem areas with aromatic oils. You should apply tea tree oil to scars; this will help get rid of stretch marks on your arms. The product cannot be applied in its pure form. You should mix a few drops of oil with the gel; undiluted it will do more harm than good.

A contrast shower has an excellent effect on scars, which can be used both as a preventive measure and as a therapeutic procedure. You can take baths with pine needle extract - they not only remove cosmetic defects, but also help improve health. Baths will help not only women, but also men.

Salon treatments

Fortunately for many people, cosmetology is developing by leaps and bounds, so do not underestimate the effect of salon procedures. You will have to pay decent money for them, but they can remove all the white stretch marks on your arms.

For example, many note amazing results from myostimulation. Problem areas will be affected by small current discharges. Minor pain may occur, but the skin will be saturated with oxygen and will heal much faster.

It is recommended to undergo a course of mesotherapy. Several injections containing medications, vitamins and minerals are injected under the skin at the same time. Dermatologists advise undergoing 3-10 procedures, taking into account the number of stretch marks on your hands.

One of the surest ways to help get rid of this handicap is plastic surgery. Thanks to the method, you can tighten the skin and get rid of scars once and for all. Its main drawback is its high cost; this method costs a considerable amount of money and has a lot of contraindications.

Thalassotherapy. In this case, stretch marks are removed with the help of beneficial marine substances: algae extracts, healing mud, plankton, sea salt, and minerals. They saturate the skin on the hands with vitamins and minerals, making it more elastic and toned. In addition, thalassotherapy helps fight stress and removes toxic substances.

Types of striae (4 options)

Depending on the color, they come in four types:

Pink. Fresh scars that have just appeared. The easiest way to get rid of them is.
Purple. Striae acquire this shade due to bruising. In terms of depth and severity of damage to the skin, they are slightly greater than pink ones, but are easily removed.
Blue. These stretch marks are 4-5 months old, so it is extremely difficult to get rid of them.
White. These are old scars that cannot be gotten rid of at home. The effect will only be after salon procedures.

Surgical removal is indicated if the stretch marks are older than 12 months.
Plastic surgeon Robert Tornambe

The best drugs for stretch marks

Since stretch marks are a common problem, the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry has developed many drugs to eliminate it. Unfortunately, not all remedies give good results.

The following drugs are considered the most effective:

Egallohit . Cream and gel on a natural basis stimulate healing and prevent the formation of scars of various origins. Activates metabolic and regeneration processes, increases the resistance of the dermis to the effects of negative factors.
Imoferase . The use of cosmetic cream helps improve the appearance of stretch marks, increase elasticity, and moisturize the dermis.
Retin-A. A product based on vitamin A increases the number of epidermal cells and elastic fibers.

Be sure to read:
Sanosan - cream for stretch marks: how to quickly get rid of them at home, method of use

The drugs have contraindications; consultation with a doctor is required before use.

“Favorite” places for striae

Stretch marks on the skin of men appear in the same places as in women:

stomach;
buttocks;
hips;
breast;
back;
groin area;
face.

There are also other places where striae may form, such as the hands. Tears can appear where the skin stretches the most during physical activity.

Stretch marks on the back often indicate problems with internal organs. When they form, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination.

Localization of stretch marks on the body of men and the fight against them

Lack of collagen and elastin leads to decreased skin tone. Stretch marks on the back, chest, as well as stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs and buttocks are the most common areas for stretch marks to appear in men. Stretch marks on the lower back and stretch marks on the chest are less common, but it is quite possible to get rid of them or reduce them.

Nowadays, many men have begun to take care of their bodies and improve them. The fight against stretch marks is not easy, but the results are worth it. We will tell you about several effective exercises that will help improve skin tone and thus reduce stretch marks in men.

Stretch marks on the shoulders and forearms can be eliminated with the help of barbell exercises, such as: barbell chest press, barbell overhead press, standing dumbbell flyes.

Simple push-ups from the floor or on parallel bars, bench press and dumbbell raises while lying down will help reduce stretch marks on the chest .

Stretch marks on the abdomen in men can be reduced with the help of exercises “pulling the legs while sitting towards the stomach”, “lifting the legs while lying on a horizontal bench”.

reduce stretch marks on your legs by doing squats, standing leg raises, and barbell squats.

Stretch marks on the buttocks in men can be reduced by running with high knees, walking on the buttocks, and standing leg abductions.

Stretch marks on the back and stretch marks on the sides can be “treated” with exercises such as “lying crunches,” “side bends with dumbbells,” and the “twist” exercise.

It is worth remembering that stretches on the shoulders and stretches on the buttocks are the most difficult to remove, so it may be worth adding additional impact tools to the exercises. For example: cosmetic procedures, peeling at home, wraps, creams.

Why do stretch marks appear in men?

If for women the most common cause of stretch marks is hormonal changes and pregnancy, then for men it is a sharp loss or gain of weight and exercise. The skin simply “does not keep up” with changes in body volume, so it does not stretch, but tears.

The main causes of stretch marks in men:

excessive physical activity;
abuse of sports, rapid increase in muscle mass;
lack of physical activity and unbalanced diet, which lead to rapid weight gain;
sudden weight loss;
hormonal changes, taking glucocorticosteroids;
endocrine diseases;
disruption of the pancreas;
hereditary predisposition.

To get rid of stretch marks, you need to understand the etiology of their origin. Only after eliminating the cause will it be possible to get rid of them forever.

Stretch marks on the skin in men: 5 reasons

Striae occur when the skin is severely overstrained. When this happens, collagen production is disrupted, which leads to damage to the epidermal fibers.

Be sure to read:
Coconut oil for stretch marks during pregnancy and after childbirth: how to use, effectiveness
This disorder is caused by a number of reasons:

Hormonal imbalances. During puberty, rapid growth and major hormonal changes occur. Fibrillar protein is produced in insufficient quantities, the elasticity of the dermis deteriorates, which leads to the formation of fiber breaks.
Abuse of lotions and creams with corticosteroids leads to a decrease in the level of basic connective tissue protein.
Sudden weight gain is one of the main reasons for the appearance of scar bands. A sharp gain and loss of kilograms leads to the appearance of linear stripes.
Intense physical activity. Bodybuilders and bodybuilders intensively build muscle mass, which leads to stretch marks along the perimeter of the muscles.
Genetics . People whose parents had striae are more likely than others to suffer from linear stripes.
Diseases of the adrenal glands. In diabetes, Cushing's disease, and scleroderma, the production of corticosteroids increases. An excess of these hormones disrupts the production of keratinocytes in the epidermis and fibrocytes in the dermis. The latter affect the production of fibrillar protein, which is responsible for the elasticity of the dermis.

Although stretch marks are not harmful, men are not ready to put up with their presence.

How to get rid of stretch marks (3 methods)

How to remove stretch marks for men depends on their color and age. If they are not too old (less than 12 months have passed since their appearance), then they are easier to deal with.

Fresh stretch marks can be removed at home with the help of special creams, physical activity, massage and, of course, a healthy lifestyle.

All methods of getting rid of stretch marks can be divided into 3 groups:

hardware (salon procedures);
cosmetics/home methods;
surgery.

The effect will only be if the provoking factor is eliminated. During treatment, it is important to adhere to preventive recommendations, otherwise new stretch marks will form.

At home

It should be said right away that most methods that are used at home are effective only in combination with salon procedures. They are 100% effective as a means of prevention, but not for the treatment of stretch marks.

There are no magic creams that will get rid of stretch marks. They moisturize and nourish dry skin, prevent tissue tears, but do not remove them in any way.
Plastic surgeon Robert Tornambe

Tips on how to remove stretch marks on the stomach in men at home:

Use cosmetics containing vitamins A, C and E. It is these substances that are responsible for the beauty and elasticity of the skin. It is good to take vitamin preparations containing these vitamins.
Use creams and serums with hyaluronic acid. Such products really improve the condition of the skin and slightly reduce the visibility of stretch marks.
Apply essential oils. Cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut and almond esters are suitable for moisturizing and nourishing the skin.
Use a body scrub. Cleansing of dead cells is necessary to improve the effect of using medicinal cosmetics. The scrub is applied 2-3 times a week.
Take medications containing hyaluronic acid or type I and III collagen orally. They moisturize the skin from the inside, maintain tone, elasticity, and protect against premature aging. Oral medications are more effective than topical medications.
Take a contrast shower. It improves blood circulation and makes the skin elastic.
Maintain drinking regime. When using hyaluronic acid/collagen preparations, you must consume at least 1.5 liters of water per day. Liquid is needed to maintain skin hydrobalance.
Do massage. It improves blood circulation and helps restore damaged skin.

All these methods are used in combination and are effective only against scars less than a month old.

You can also use the following recipes as a supplement:

Wraps using honey. To begin with, the bee product is heated using a water bath. The temperature should be comfortable. Honey is applied to the area where the stretch marks are, and then wrapped in cling film. The wrap lasts 30 minutes. Everything is washed off with water.
Oils. Twice a day, lubricate the skin with oil (coconut, olive, etc.).
Scrubbing. Regular sugar and salt are suitable for this. The components are mixed in equal quantities and combined with olive oil to form a cream-like mass. The mixture is applied to the body and washed off after half an hour.

In the salon and clinic

Salon procedures are most effective in combating not only fresh, but also long-standing stretch marks. A cosmetologist will tell you how men can get rid of stretch marks and select the most effective method.

Procedures that can be offered in a salon or clinic:

laser resurfacing;
mesotherapy;
plasma lifting;
chemical, mechanical peeling;
SMAS lifting;
abdominoplasty.

Surgical excision is prescribed in rare cases if the scars are old and large.

Laser resurfacing

This is the most effective and safe method that helps remove stretch marks on the stomach in men. The laser removes the top layer of the epidermis.

As a result, restoration processes are launched and collagen production is enhanced. Young skin forms over the stretch marks, so they become invisible.

The number of procedures depends on the depth and width of the stretch marks. Small, fresh stretch marks become less noticeable after the first session.

The procedure lasts 30-40 minutes. It is painless because local anesthetics are used. After laser exposure, an anti-inflammatory ointment is applied.

Redness and swelling may persist for several days after laser resurfacing.

Mesotherapy

It can be hardware or injection. In the latter case, ointments with an anesthetic effect are used to reduce pain.

Mesotherapy is effective for small and thin stretch marks. The procedure involves the subcutaneous administration of nutrients that are necessary to restore microdamage, or substances that can fill the damaged area.

The composition of the solution is selected by a cosmetologist; it may include the following components:

vitamins;
amino acids;
microelements;
plant extracts;
collagen;
hyaluronic acid.

After mesotherapy, stretch marks become less noticeable and the skin becomes elastic. The only drawback of this method is the duration of the course. On average, 10-15 sessions are required.

Plasmolifting

The procedure is similar in technique to mesotherapy. Plasmolifting is an injection method to combat stretch marks. They are supposed to be given subcutaneous injections of male plasma rather than nutrient solutions. It has a miraculous effect:

Improves metabolic processes.
Reduces the visibility of stretch marks.
Evens out skin color.
Accelerates tissue regeneration.
Stimulates the production of collagen and elastin.
Promotes rejuvenation of the dermis.

The cost of the procedure is high, but with its help you can get rid of large and old scars.

There are no side effects, and most importantly, you don’t need to go under the knife to get rid of stretch marks.

Chemical or mechanical peeling

They operate on the principle of laser resurfacing. Chemical peeling involves the use of an acid that burns the top layer of the epidermis and stimulates the growth of healthy skin.

Mechanical peeling uses crystal particles to remove the stratum corneum using mechanical action.

Ultrasonic or SMAS lifting

Ultrasound is used to influence the deep layers of the dermis. Session duration is 25-30 minutes. During this time you can achieve the following result:

enhance collagen production;
tighten the skin;
increase the elasticity of the epidermis;
reduce stretch marks.

Ultrasonic lifting does not cause any discomfort. After the procedure, redness of the skin remains.

Surgical intervention

Abdominoplasty is a radical method of removing stretch marks, which has many contraindications. It is resorted to only as a last resort.

Stretch marks are removed surgically. After the intervention, sutures are applied, which disappear over time. There are no cosmetic defects left.

If the stretch marks are too large, the surgeon transplants skin from other parts of the body.

Prevention of stretch marks on the skin in men

The fight against scar stripes takes a lot of time. Therefore, it is better to carry out prevention.

Its main goal is to avoid factors that contribute to the destruction of collagen fibers:

avoid sudden changes in body weight;
drink enough water – up to 2 liters per day;
After a shower, you should not wipe your skin dry;
regularly apply high-quality moisturizers;
use sunscreen when tanning;
take vitamins A, E.

Be sure to read:

How to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy: the best remedies and methods at home

You should also stop smoking and alcohol, as they reduce the level of vitamin C, which is responsible for the protective properties of the epidermis.

Question answer

Unfortunately, home methods are not as effective as salon treatments. Only professional manipulations will really help remove these defects. A variety of creams and massage should be auxiliary methods.

According to reviews of people who have used similar products, it is worth noting the following creams: Lirac, Vichy, Mederma. They are often recommended to combat stretch marks.

Of course, massage is useful for stretch marks. But remember that it should be an additional method in combating this problem. One massage will not remove these defects.

Ways to combat stretch marks

Regardless of your physical condition and lifestyle, no one is immune from stretch marks. They can appear in any person without obvious reasons. And after they appear, questions arise: is it possible to remove stretch marks forever? Is it possible to remove stretch marks on the buttocks? Can stretch marks on the hips and chest be corrected?

No one can give a definite answer, since it depends on a huge number of factors. But stretch marks can always be reduced by improving the condition of the skin and treating the cause of their occurrence.

In the initial stages, when stretch marks are still thin and white, you can get rid of them using folk methods, but for effectiveness it is better to use all available knowledge from the field of cosmetology and dermatology.

Salon procedures for eliminating stretch marks

Various procedures are available in beauty salons to get rid of stretch marks:

Laser resurfacing in places where striae form. A very effective but painful method for correcting stretch marks. The laser removes the top layer of skin. After 3-4 months, even and smooth skin forms on the problem area;
Mesotherapy. Usually meso is done for the face. Vitamins, hyaluronic acid and other useful drugs are injected into the dermis, thereby reducing defects from the inside. The same applies to stretch marks, only in this case collagen will also be injected. Mesotherapy is effective when used in a course, you need to complete 3-4 courses to notice the result. The skin is noticeably evened out, stretch marks fade.
Acid peeling. Peeling using glycolic acid, which smoothes the skin and makes stretch marks less noticeable. A cosmetologist practicing such peeling must be a professional in his field, because glycolic acid can cause a chemical burn.

Before choosing a beauty salon, find out whether the staff has the appropriate certification, how long ago the SES checks were completed and what products/equipment the professional uses. (if we are talking about laser grinding).

Massage

A classic, anti-cellulite or lymphatic drainage massage done by a good master will help improve blood circulation in the problem area, improve skin turgor and visually make stretch marks less noticeable. As a bonus - a reduction in body volume and getting rid of cellulite.

There are home massages for problem areas to get rid of stretch marks. For example, cupping massage. It is recommended to do this massage after a bath, give it at least 15 minutes per area and to improve the result you need to use a special oil (almond, olive, coconut).

Cupping massage, during which the buttocks/abdomen/thighs are treated with vacuum cups, improves blood and lymph flow. Unlike conventional massage, vacuum cupping involves the deeper layers of the epidermis. This method is considered effective in the fight against cellulite and stretch marks.

Folk remedies to combat stretch marks on the buttocks

Today there are many folk methods to combat white scars (stretch marks):

using homemade scrubs;
wraps;
Shilajit body cream.

The problem with all folk remedies is that their effectiveness is very doubtful and has not been proven by serious research. As a rule, all recipes really help to nourish the skin, but only the top layer of the epidermis. As for stretch marks, they are located in the dermis, so defeating them with the help of traditional medicine will be quite problematic.

Creams, gels and ointments

Modern science has given women not only hardware cosmetology. Cosmetology companies annually create various creams, ointments and gels aimed at deeply moisturizing the skin and getting rid of stretch marks.

The main players in the medicinal cosmetics market: Biotherm, Clarins and Korean cosmetics, which are sometimes credited with magical properties.

Nothing concrete can be said about the latter, because in Korea there are more than 10 thousand cosmetic companies producing their products, and Bioderm and Clarens are known for their high-quality and working innovations.

Both companies have refused to test their products on animals and use only natural and proven ingredients.

The main active ingredients of all pharmaceutical creams and ointments for striae are retinol, tocopherol, ascorbic and glycolic acids, as well as cocoa butter.

All these components increase skin elasticity and increase collagen production in problem areas.

Prevention (5 rules)

All men who decide to go to the gym, are engaged in heavy physical labor, have hormonal imbalances or weight problems should follow these recommendations:

Eat properly. A healthy and balanced diet is the key to good health, and not just the prevention of stretch marks. The diet should include vegetables, fruits, fruit drinks, dairy products, dietary meat, fish, cereals, cereals, jelly, jellied meat.
Maintain drinking regime. To maintain skin hydrobalance, you need to drink at least 1.5 liters of clean water per day.
To refuse from bad habits. Smoking leads to a decrease in the concentration of vitamin C in the body, and, accordingly, to collagen deficiency.
Maintain physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle leads to excess weight, stretch marks, cellulite, vascular diseases and other problems. It is necessary to keep your body in good physical shape and move more. Water procedures and swimming in the pool are useful.
Maintain weight within normal limits. A sharp loss or gain of body weight should not be allowed. These are the most common causes of stretch marks. If you need to get rid of extra pounds, then the process of burning fat should be gradual.

To prevent age-related collagen deficiency, it is necessary to take collagen nutritional supplements. To ensure elasticity and youthfulness of the skin, collagen types I and III are needed; type II is suitable exclusively for healthy joints.

Useful tips

Stretch marks are a real problem for men and getting rid of them is much more difficult than preventing their appearance. This is what men who want to avoid the problem of stretch marks need to remember. And for this you need:

Control your diet: you need to include amino acids, vitamins and beneficial microelements in your diet.
Eat fresh vegetables and fruits as often as possible.
Drink more water, especially in summer.
Be sure to eat protein foods.
Include foods that contain vitamins C, A and E in your diet.
Engage in active sports.

These rules should become your way of life. Proper nutrition and exercise are the key to a happy and healthy life, and, of course, the absence of stretch marks in men!

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Always yours, Anna