Can Men Get Stretch Marks?: Use Chemical Peel Treatment in Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Everett, Washington to Reduce Appearance of Stretch Marks
The first image that comes to mind for most folks that hear the term “stretch mark” is that of a pregnant belly. Did you know that even men get stretch marks? Not just those who have lost or gained a great deal of weight, either! The appearance of stretch marks is very common in men that work out as well. Additionally, adolescents are prone to stretch marks as well. Any rapid growth of muscle, especially when coupled with hormone changes in the body, can cause the unsightly red/purple/silver subcutaneous scars.
What are Stretch Marks?
Interestingly, stretching of the skin is not the sole indicator of stretch marks — or striae to those in the medical know – although stretching does determine where the marks occur and in what direction they will run. Striae appear when the middle layer, or dermis is damaged. This damage often results in a tear of the dermis and the epidermis which causes a void, leaving the outer layer of skin unsupported.
Skin subjected to more stretching force than it can handle will tear. Hormonal changes and genetics influence the skin’s capacity to withstand stretching forces, as do diet and [possibly] exercise.
This tearing compromises the collagen and elastin in the dermis which results in the grooves that we refer to as stretch marks. Beginning as reddish or purple in color, striae eventually fade and become white or silver; the marks remain and feel like ‘valleys’ in the skin. The most common areas for stretch marks to appear are:
- Abdomen
- Buttocks
- Thighs
- Shoulders
- Breasts
Quality & Strength of Skin
While the quality and strength of your skin is strongly driven by hereditary factors, there are steps the individual can take to reduce the appearance of striae. Healthy skin can withstand gradual stretching to some degree; skin that is not healthy will be more likely to develop stretch marks. Factors that affect the skin’s health are including but not limited to:
- Environmental Conditions
- Hygiene
- Healthcare
- General Health
- Proper Nutrition
- Hydration
Each of these factors has been proven as having a direct affect on the quality of your skin. Maintaining your overall physical health will certainly play a role in the suppleness of your skin which will reduce the possibility of striae.
Hormones and Stretch Marks
Certain hormones, specifically glucocortocoids, have been linked to the development of stretch marks by inhibiting collagen synthesis necessary to skin health. There are numerous naturally occurring events through our lives that cause our bodies to produce an abundance of hormonal changes that may leave us prone to striae:
- Puberty
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Stress
- Depression
- Emaciation
Additionally, there are cases of hormonal change that are not naturally occurring, such as steroid treatment for chronic illnesses like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune disorders or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal women. We cannot leave out the extreme (albeit not common) athlete that practices steroid enhancement.
Any change in hormone in the human body leaves the skin prone to striae. For this reason, by caring for you body with proper nutrition can certainly aid in the reduction of striae.
Reduce Appearance of Stretch Marks
As you can see, not any segment of the population can escape the appearance of stretch marks. Believe it or not, adolescents are the most prone to striae! Don’t despair, there are ways to diminish the appearance of stretch marks that have already appeared. Ranging from topical creams to plastic surgery, the most effective, non-surgical cosmetic solution is chemical peel treatments. Le Visage Wellness Center and Spa offers profession Chemical Peel Treatment in Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Everett, Washington. Some clients see a marked difference in just 1 visit!
