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.

Causes

Stretch marks in men or stretch marks (the second medical name for this visual defect) can appear under the influence of a number of predisposing factors. The main reason is damage not to the epidermis, but to the deeper layers of the skin, in particular the dermis. As a result, the skin becomes deformed, becomes painful at first, and then completely atrophies.

Among the possible reasons, the following should be highlighted:

Hereditary predisposition. If stretch marks on the body were observed in males in the family, there is a high probability of this problem manifesting itself in the new generation. Moreover, these defects can occur after the slightest trauma to the skin or its overload.
Overweight. If a man suddenly gains weight, then such a rapid increase in subcutaneous fat tissue causes stretching of the skin, which is fraught with the appearance of stretch marks. As a result, the skin first becomes thinner and then becomes injured. This is how stretch marks form on the skin.
Sudden weight loss. The opposite mechanism to the previous one works here. The subcutaneous fat layer disappears, and the skin, in turn, still remains stretched and cannot “pull back” so quickly. In addition, the skin does not receive enough nutrients, which is why in some places it begins to atrophy.
Systemic connective tissue diseases. Any pathologies affecting this type of tissue significantly affect the condition of the skin. These are diseases such as Marfan syndrome, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Ehlers-Danlas syndrome. With these diseases, the skin becomes very thin and is often exposed to any traumatic influences. Because of this, men often develop stretch marks on their bodies.
Diseases of the pancreas. In this case, the lack of production of a hormone called somatostatin comes to the fore. This is a substance that controls the growth of the human body. If it is not enough, acromegaly often develops. With it, any part of the body can begin to grow, as a result of which the skin quickly stretches and stretch marks can form.
Diseases of the endocrine system. The main ones are Cushing's disease and syndrome. During the disease, there is an increased release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the pituitary gland, which stimulates excessive secretion of glucocorticoids in the adrenal glands. In the presence of the syndrome, corticosteroids are self-excreted or taken in dosage form in large quantities. The most striking manifestation of the pathology is the formation of stretch marks on the skin, while stretch marks in men are deeper and more saturated in color.
Uncontrolled use of corticosteroids. Any drug containing glucocorticoid hormones must be taken under the supervision of a physician. Excessive use of this type of drug can provoke Itsenko-Cushing syndrome.
Strong physical activity. Due to constant pumping, muscles increase in volume quite quickly. The skin covering them does not have time to stretch and correspond to the new volume of muscles, microtears form, and, as a result, stretch marks in men.

If you know why stretch marks appear, then you can easily choose products that help make stretch marks less noticeable.

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

“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.

Video: What else you need to know

There are several classifications of stretch marks, which can be used to determine the depth of the disease, its type and degree of oldness.

So, there are two types of striae based on color:

The white appearance of striae is observed on old scars, more than 6 months have passed since their appearance.

These are atrophic skin injuries associated with the appearance of connective tissue at the site of the stretch. Due to the fact that their appearance occurred a long time ago, correction of this type of violation is usually more expensive and difficult.

If the veins of the stretch marks are bright in color (the shade can vary from purple, red to dark purple). Such damage appeared recently - the color indicates that the fibers broke the day before.

The brightness of the scar is determined by the fact that at the time the stretch mark appears, there are a large number of vessels and capillaries in the stretched area. The larger the stretch mark, the brighter its color. Newly developed stretch marks can be treated much easier than old ones; sometimes even home therapy alone helps.

According to location, stretch marks are divided into:

longitudinal (vertical);
horizontal.

The appearance of type 2 stretch marks most often indicates hormonal imbalances in the body. That is why, before correcting imperfections, you need to visit an endocrinologist.

In men, vertical striae are rare, as they are most common among pregnant women. Their appearance on the skin can provoke rapid weight gain due to obesity or increased muscle mass in sports activities.

According to the type of stretch marks on the skin, scars are distinguished:

scars (small formations on the skin of a pinkish color;
filiform (whitish narrow thread-like stripes on the skin);
longitudinal (stretch marks are located along the fibers of the epidermis).

Assess how long ago stretch marks appeared in a particular case. Possible by color of formation:

up to a year it is colored,
after a year it brightens with the acquisition of a pearlescent hue (this is especially effective for scar stripe stretching).

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:
How to remove stretch marks on the hips: what causes stretch marks, the most effective ways to combat
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.

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:
Coconut oil for stretch marks during pregnancy and after childbirth: how to use, effectiveness

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

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.

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.

General methods for getting rid of stretch marks on the body of men

Medical

Medical methods of treating stretch marks involve a series of procedures to remove existing stretch marks and reduce the risk of new ones.

A popular treatment method is mesotherapy, for which a course of treatment is provided.

For each patient, the ratio of necessary drugs is individually selected, which are subsequently injected under the skin into the scar area with a pistol using a small syringe.

The amount of active substance administered is influenced by the patient’s health status, skin type, old age of stretch marks and the reasons why the formation appeared. 3-4 procedures are enough to show results.

Deep chemical peeling is one of the most effective treatment methods that can help permanently solve the problem of stretch marks.

However, the procedure has a number of contraindications and may not be used on all areas of the body. Typically, stretch marks are chemically removed from the facial area and abdomen.

During therapy, an acid of a certain concentration is applied to the prepared area of skin.

The substance is able to penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis, which is a decisive factor in effectiveness - acids start the process of cell renewal from the inside.

Expert opinion

Cosmetologist
Surgeon

Anna Avaliani

practicing cosmetologist

Time passes and the stretch marks become lighter. But they will not disappear on their own, especially pronounced ones. At home you can apply special masks and creams. But if you really want to remove stretch marks, then go to a professional. Laser resurfacing can help. Even if you train hard and play sports, stretch marks will not disappear.

Sheila Nazaryan

plastic surgeon

Home methods alone will not remove stretch marks.
It's worth understanding this! But this does not mean that you need to exclude them completely. They are beneficial and can be an excellent addition to cosmetic procedures. I would recommend laser. But to eliminate fresh stretch marks, you need to carry out 3 sessions. If you have old stretch marks, up to 10 visits to a specialist will be required. Proper skin care, maintaining a normal weight and solving health problems will help prevent the appearance of stretch marks and look 100%.

Well, if they do appear, then you need to be patient and begin a stubborn fight against them. It can take anywhere from several weeks to a year to get rid of it.

Prevention of stretch marks on the buttocks and other places

Modern medicine has come a long way. Every day we learn something new about our skin, and the beauty industry comes up with innovative products designed to prolong youth and preserve beauty. And yet, in many cases, preventing something from happening is much easier than dealing with its consequences. This also applies to striae.

Moreover, methods for preventing stretch marks are available to anyone.

Find out which method of correcting scars and stretch marks is optimal for you!

doctor Svetlana Viktorovna Ogorodnikova.

doctor

How to prevent stretch marks on your butt:

Monitor your health . Forming healthy habits will help avoid the formation of hated stretch marks. Make it a rule to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and sleep regularly. Get your hormones tested every six months and have your thyroid checked.
Cold and hot shower. The easiest way to prevent stretch marks, and most importantly - very useful. A shower with alternating warm and cold water in the morning not only hardens your body, but also improves thermoregulation, speeds up metabolism and significantly improves skin turgor.
Scrubbing, wraps and massage. And any other actions aimed at improving skin elasticity. These procedures help with the renewal of the epidermis, improve local blood microcirculation, reduce volumes, remove excess fluid and nourish the body with vitamins.

It is important to note that people suffering from hormonal problems need to be especially attentive to their body. Naturally, it is necessary to consult with a dermatologist and endocrinologist in order to correctly select a method for correcting stretch marks. And, most importantly, to identify the true reasons for their formation. Many clinics provide consultation with a doctor. Use this option on our website completely free of charge!