Stretch marks in men: how to reduce their appearance?

If you thought stretch marks were exclusively a women’s concern, think again! Men get these unsightly streaks too: around 40% of them have stretch marks. While some couldn’t care less, others feel genuinely self-conscious and are looking for ways to make them less noticeable. So what exactly are stretch marks? Why do they appear in men, on the stomach, shoulders or arms? And which habits and skincare products can help prevent them and soften their appearance? Here’s everything you need to know.

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 dermis, the layer of skin that sits beneath the epidermis. 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 simple habits that can help limit the risk of stretch marks, and they’re all fairly straightforward to put into practice.

Eat a varied diet

Certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B5, C and E, and trace elements such as copper, zinc and silicon, are found in offal (such as liver), seafood (oily fish, shellfish), wholegrains, nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews), cacao, and fruits and vegetables. These foods can be part of a varied, balanced diet; none of them has an established effect on stretch marks.

Don’t forget to drink regularly and enough, preferably water. It is a basic habit for the whole body, with no established effect on stretch marks.

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 has its place in a balanced lifestyle. It helps maintain a stable weight, which spares the skin the tension of rapid weight gain and loss, and it’s a great way to unwind.

Take care of your skin

Fair enough, skincare might not be your thing. But that’s a mistake, because moisturised skin feels more supple and comfortable! 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. Here are a few ideas. 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 looking less pronounced.
• The Stretch Mark Treatment Oil: a lightweight oil that’s effortless to apply. It contains 6 100% natural oils that nourish your skin. It supports both a prevention routine and the care of skin that already has stretch marks, 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 and fast-absorbing, it helps soften the visible appearance of stretch marks. It’s applied once a day.

Get this full routine with all 3 products in the Stretch Mark Pack!

Related articles

• Purple stretch marks: causes and solutions
• Stretch marks on the buttocks: how to reduce their appearance?
• Natural Ways to Care for Stretch Marks

Useful categories: Stretch Marks.