Although we often think of women when it comes to stretch marks, men get them too.
If you’re suffering in silence, or you’ve always been curious about it, here’s how they form,
why you can get them too, and what treatment options are available.
You Lost Weight Too Fast
Some men have problems with stretch marks because they lose weight too fast.
Rapid weight loss, in excess of 2 lbs per week, which is possible on some extreme diets,
may cause fat loss to occur at a rate that’s faster than what skin can keep up with.
When this happens, there’s flabby, excess skin.
Occasionally, the weight of the skin may cause stretch marks.
Many men opt for surgery to correct this problem.
For examples of surgical reduction techniques, see here.
You Gain Weight Too Fast
The more common reason men get stretch marks is because they put on weight too fast.
Whether it’s bad diet or really good diet and exercise, rapid weight gain may cause the skin
to stretch out because it can’t grow fast enough to keep up with muscle and fat gain.
Most people know that eating unhealthy can cause fat to accumulate.
If the diet is bad enough, it’s possible for you to put on more than a pound or two per week.
But, even good diets can go bad.
Weightlifters, particularly those trying to bulk up, might end up causing stretch marks
because of their extreme weightlifting and eating schedule.
A healthy rate of weight gain or loss is a pound or two per week.
More than that increases your risk of stretch marks.
How They Form
Stretch marks often start as reddish or purplish lines that are caused by overstretching of the skin.
When skin is overstretched, collagen, the primary protein found in your connective tissue, is broken.
If the normal process of growth is disturbed, or if underlying muscle growth, or fat accumulation,
is excessive, the connective tissue can’t be formed quickly enough.
The underlying layers of skin tear, and scars form – this is the stretch mark.
These marks are very common on athletes and bodybuilders.
Moisturizing
Moisturizing is one of the most effective ways to minimize the risk of stretch marks.
By staying hydrated, you reduce the risk of the skin stretching excessively.
The key it to make it a daily routine – to habituate the process.
Doing it once or twice a week isn’t going to cut it.
Twice daily is ideal.
If you can’t manage that, at least once daily would help.
Focus on your abdomen, chest, arms, and shoulders.
Taking Vitamins To Help
Take vitamins to help.
Vitamin A and E are crucial for skin health, so make sure you’re getting enough.
Eat more fruits and vegetables, take a men’s multivitamin, eat more liver and onions
(liver contains copious amounts of vitamin A), get some sunshine (the sun converts
cholesterol in your skin into vitamin D, which is also good for skin health), and eat more
nuts (a rich source of vitamin E).
About the Author:
Dr Kevin M. Ruhge is a specialist plastic surgeon in relation to face, breast and body aesthetic procedures. He has been elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha national honor society and is also a certified member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has already shared his expert views on a number of online resources.
Have you or a loved one suffered from stretch marks?
What are your favorite tips for dealing with them?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
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