Men absolutely get stretch marks, medically known as striae distensae. This common skin condition occurs when the dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, is stretched too rapidly, causing collagen and elastin fibers to tear. Although often associated with women, stretch marks are prevalent across all genders; approximately 40% of adolescent males experience them during their growth years. They are not a medical concern but represent a form of scarring that appears as linear streaks on the skin’s surface.
Primary Causes of Male Stretch Marks
The development of striae in men is tied to any process that causes the body to expand faster than the skin can accommodate. During puberty, a rapid growth spurt is a primary trigger. Sudden increases in height and muscle mass place immediate tension on the skin, resulting in the visible tears common in teenage boys.
Significant weight gain is another major cause, as the rapid accumulation of fat tissue forces the skin to stretch quickly. This increase, particularly around the midsection, overwhelms the dermis’s structural capacity, leading to stretch mark formation. Rapid weight loss can sometimes make previously hidden stretch marks more noticeable as the skin contracts.
Intense muscle building is a primary cause, especially in the context of bodybuilding. When a man gains substantial muscle mass quickly, the underlying tissue volume increases too fast for the skin’s elastic fibers to adapt. This results in classic stretch marks seen on the shoulders, arms, and chest of athletes who bulk up rapidly.
Common Areas of Development
The location of striae is directly correlated with the underlying cause of the rapid stretching. In teenage boys undergoing puberty, stretch marks frequently appear horizontally across the lower back, buttocks, and upper thighs. This is due to rapid vertical growth and continuous tension during the adolescent phase.
For men experiencing weight fluctuation, the stretch marks are most likely to develop on the abdomen, lower back, and the sides of the torso. These sites are naturally prone to fat storage, and the skin in these areas stretches significantly with an increase in body mass.
In men focused on resistance training, the marks appear in areas of concentrated muscle hypertrophy. Common sites include the shoulders (deltoids), upper arms (biceps), chest (pectorals), and upper back (latissimus dorsi). The skin at the intersection of these large, rapidly expanding muscle groups is under the highest degree of mechanical stress.
How Stretch Marks Change Over Time
Stretch marks progress through two distinct phases, beginning as the acute stage known as striae rubrae. In this early phase, the marks appear red, pink, or purple because underlying blood vessels are visible through the thinned dermis. They may feel slightly raised and can occasionally itch as the skin tears and begins an inflammatory healing response.
Over time, the marks mature into the chronic stage called striae albae. The blood vessels contract, and the marks fade to a white, silvery, or flesh-toned appearance. The tissue becomes slightly sunken and atrophic, resembling a thin, wrinkled scar due to the permanent loss of elastic fibers and reduced collagen bundles.
The appearance of stretch marks can often be reduced, though complete removal is difficult, especially for mature marks. Topical treatments containing retinoids, such as tretinoin, can be beneficial for striae rubrae because they stimulate collagen production in the dermis. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and certain moisturizing oils may help increase skin hydration and elasticity, but their effect on established marks is limited.
Professional Treatment Options
For older, white striae albae, professional procedures offer the most noticeable improvement in texture and color. These options include laser therapy, which targets pigmentation and stimulates collagen remodeling, and microneedling, which creates controlled micro-injuries to prompt natural healing. Success is highest when treatment begins during the initial, reddish striae rubrae phase.