If you thought stretch marks were exclusively a women’s concern, think again! Men are just as susceptible to these unsightly streaks — around 40% of them have stretch marks… While some couldn’t care less, others feel genuinely self-conscious and are desperately looking for ways to get rid of them. Here’s everything you need to know about stretch marks in men.
Sommaire
What are stretch marks?
Gentlemen, time for a quick refresher! No, stretch marks are not just a side effect of pregnancy. Striae distensae are micro-tears in the elastic fibres of the skin’s deeper layers. Collagen and elastin fibres give skin its strength and elasticity — but when the skin is stretched too intensely, they can break. Under excessive tension, these fibres rupture, creating micro-fissures in the dermis that become visible on the surface of the skin (the epidermis). They appear as fine, slightly indented streaks.
When they first appear, stretch marks are coloured: pink, red or purple. This colouration is caused by subcutaneous inflammation and the skin’s healing process. This is actually the best time to treat stretch marks, as the skin is actively regenerating. Over time, stretch marks will fade to white: these are known as mature or old stretch marks. Less visible, they are nonetheless harder to reduce.
Stretch marks are not painful. However, they can cause real insecurity — especially in men, who rarely expect to have them.
The causes of stretch marks in men
Several factors can lead to stretch marks in men.
1- Adolescence
Adolescence is a period of major change for a young man’s body. He grows taller, his physique transforms, and puberty brings a wave of hormonal shifts. Growth spurts and changes in body shape put the skin under intense, rapid strain. Sometimes it holds up — but often the stretching is too sudden and the collagen fibres give way. Stretch marks typically appear around the lower back, shoulders, buttocks and calves.
2- Weight fluctuations
Men are not immune to weight fluctuations. Like women, they can gain or lose weight. Significant weight changes put the skin under stress — it endures tension and distension that compromise its quality. It’s therefore quite common for stretch marks to appear on the stomach and love handles, as these are the areas where men typically store fat.
3- Muscle hypertrophy
It’s not uncommon to see stretch marks on the shoulders, arms and chest of men who train regularly. The culprit: sudden, intense muscle mass gain. Whether it’s fat or muscle, the effect on the skin is the same — excessive tissue stretching that causes deep-level damage. Stretch marks frequently appear in dedicated athletes: bodybuilders, weightlifters and those who practise high-impact sports.
4- Cortisol
Cortisol is a hormone naturally produced by the body, in the adrenal glands. It plays an essential role in the body’s response to stress and in nutrient metabolism. The issue arises when blood cortisol levels are abnormally high over a prolonged period. Elevated cortisol can have damaging effects on the body — including stretch marks. High blood cortisol levels can be triggered by:
- Chronic stress
- Medication: this is the case with corticosteroids, which — when taken long-term to treat conditions such as eczema, allergies or Crohn’s disease — chemically raise cortisol levels.
- A medical condition: Cushing’s syndrome, or “chronic hypercortisolism”, affects women more often, but men are not spared (one in ten cases). Among its effects, the syndrome can cause large, vertical, coloured stretch marks on the torso: stomach, hips, back, and sometimes the chest and arms.
Anti-stretch mark solutions for men
Every problem has a solution! When it comes to stretch marks, there are several options available.
1- First step: preventing stretch marks from appearing
There are three ways to prevent stretch marks from forming — and they’re all fairly straightforward to put into practice.
Eat the right foods
Certain minerals and vitamins help nourish the dermis, stimulate collagen production and protect the skin from within. These include vitamins A, B5, C and E, as well as trace elements such as copper, zinc and silicon. Found in offal (such as liver), seafood (oily fish, shellfish), wholegrains, nuts and seeds (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews), cacao, and fruits and vegetables, these nutrients are essential for healthy skin. Make sure you include them regularly in your diet to give your skin every advantage!
Don’t forget to stay properly hydrated too. The skin is made up of 70% water — deprive it of moisture and it will dry out, become rough and far more fragile. That makes it much more prone to damage… and stretch marks. And when we say drink, we mean water, of course!
Don’t skip exercise
As mentioned earlier, exercise, when taken to extremes with the goal of significant muscle gain, can cause stretch marks. But if your training is moderate and you’re not aiming to look like Stallone (or Chris Hemsworth — to each their own!), exercise is actually one of the best ways to prevent stretch marks. It helps maintain a healthy weight, keeps tissues well oxygenated, boosts microcirculation (and blood delivers everything your skin needs!) and helps keep cortisol levels in check.
Take care of your skin
Fair enough, skincare might not be your thing. But that’s a mistake — moisturising and nourishing your skin could well save you from stretch marks! Even as a man, there’s nothing stopping you from treating your skin to a little care once a day, straight after your shower. When it comes to texture, the choice is yours: cream, oil, balm, gel — there’s something for everyone. That said, some products are more effective than others. If you prefer oils, go for jojoba or macadamia oil. If you’re more of a gel person, Aloe Vera gel makes an excellent moisturiser. Just because you’re a man doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself!
2- Second step: tackling existing stretch marks
If, despite your best efforts, stretch marks have appeared on your calves or arms, we invite you to try our anti-stretch mark routine. It’s incredibly easy to use and designed for everyone — men included!
- The Stretch Mark Scrub: an exfoliating cream that can be used in the shower, 2–3 times a week. Its grainy texture removes dead skin cells, leaving skin smoother and stretch marks less pronounced.
- The Stretch Mark Treatment Oil: a lightweight oil that’s effortless to apply. It contains 6 100% natural oils that nourish and protect your skin. It both prevents stretch marks from forming and helps fade existing ones — whether recent or long-standing.
- The Stretch Mark Cream: not a fan of oily textures? No problem — our cream is exactly what you need. Gentle, fast-absorbing and deeply restorative, it visibly reduces the appearance of stretch marks. One application a day is all it takes for real results: 98% of people who’ve tried it would recommend it!
Get this full routine with all 3 products in the Stretch Mark Pack!
