Stretch marks aren’t just for girls! Boys get them too…

We took a detailed look at what causes stretch marks in our blog earlier this year Are your stretch marks getting you down?. And yes, we focussed on women as stretch marks often appear during pregnancy as the skin rapidly stretches to accommodate the baby. But it’s a common misconception that only women develop stria or striae as men are equally susceptible. At The Skin to Love Clinic we have had numerous enquiries from men about how to deal with stretch marks so we thought it would be useful to focus on the boys and explain why stretch marks aren’t just for girls!

So, why do stretch marks occur and what do they look like?

Stretch marks commonly occur when the body is undergoing hormonal changes and in men, this can occur due to:

• Growth spurts in puberty
• Rapid weight loss or gain
• Weight training with fast muscle growth, with or without steroid use

Stria appears when the skin is literally stretched but it’s not just the speed at which the skin stretches that cause the issue it is the hormones that cause the rapid growth that creates the problem as they thin out and weaken the skin making it more likely for stretch marks to appear. They look like tears or rips lying parallel to each other, slightly raised and red or purple in colour which is due to microscopic bleeding caused when the tissues separate. Over time they can fade to white and have a faint scar-like appearance.

Where do stretch marks appear? Common areas of concern for men are the arms, back and thighs.

Can anything be done about stretch marks? If your stretch marks are caused by bodybuilding you could consider altering your workout routine and lift lighter weights focussing on producing lean muscle mass rather than bulk. Maintaining a healthy diet is also beneficial as yo-yo weight gain and loss gaining weight can worsen the condition. Nevertheless, there are treatments that can improve the appearance of existing stretch marks.

Are stretch marks harmful? It’s important to remember that stretch marks are not harmful, but we understand that they can make people self-conscious.

What treatments are on offer at the clinic?

There are a number of treatments that we offer at The Skin to Love Clinic that can improve the condition from treating early stage redness to softening their appearance.

Regenlite works well for treating the redness that appears at the early stages of stretch marks before they turn silvery white. This non-ablative laser treatment doesn’t damage the surface of the skin but tricks the body into producing new collagen which results in a reduction in the depth of the stria. You can also actively target the redness with this laser to help lessen the colour, making them less obvious.

A non-invasive Fraxel Dual treatment is ideal if you want to soften the appearance of stretch marks. This laser can target deep within the exact section of damaged skin that requires treatment leaving the tissue around it untouched which in turn promotes rapid healing. Your body is then able to replace the old or damaged cells with healthy new ones resulting in a softening in the appearance of the stretch marks.

A few treatments of Derma FNS may be perfect if you’re looking to improve the signs of stretch marks and refresh tired dull-looking skin. This Micro-needling procedure stimulates the production of new dermal collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin replacing ageing and damaged tissue with healthy, new skin cells creating a smoother, more even-toned, softer looking skin. This treatment is often used in conjunction with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Platelet Rich Plasma is a natural technique which uses the healing and regenerative properties of your body’s growth factors, which are found in your blood. It improves the appearance of stretch marks and helps to preserve a healthy, smooth skin. It can be used on its own or in combination with your Derma FNS and Fraxel Dual treatments to further boost the results and improve healing of the stretch marks.

Here’s what some of the boys who have had treatments for stretch marks at The Skin to Love Clinic have said:

“5 stars.” Alex

“Very informative, They really know their stuff, very well done 🙂” Marco

So, if you would like to discuss treatments for your stretch marks, please do not hesitate to call the clinic on 01727 837429 and we will arrange a consultation for you.

Disclaimer: This blog is not to be used for diagnostic purposes. We are all unique which means that our results, recovery and suitability for any type of treatment will vary. Always seek the advice of a professional should you have any health or cosmetic concerns or to discuss treatments specifically for you.