How to Reduce Stretch Marks in Men

If you’re like most men, it’s easy to think that you’ve only heard about women having stretch marks. 

But if you have been pushing yourself in the gym and packing on muscle fast, or your weight has been shifting during a bulk or cut, you may have noticed jagged red or white lines appearing on your skin. 

Stretch marks can also form during teenage growth spurts, which is why some men have them long before they start going to the gym or losing weight.

How Common Are Stretch Marks in Men?

Male stretch marks are more common than you might think. These scar-like skin striae first appear in 40% of men during puberty.(7) They tend to appear when there’s a testosterone surge because that’s when males typically grow taller, bigger, and broader.(8)

If you’re a bodybuilder, you might see stretch marks in your arms, chest, or back because your muscles grow rapidly.

What Are the Other Causes of Stretch Marks in Men?

Other reasons why men get stretch marks include:

Sudden Muscle Gain from Workouts

When your muscles grow faster than your skin can adapt (muscle hypertrophy), the deeper layers of skin stretch too quickly and form visible stretch marks.(9)

Rapid Weight Changes

Gaining or losing weight in a short span stretches the skin faster than it can adapt, which is one of the most common causes of stretch marks in males.(9)

Hormonal Fluctuations

Certain hormones influence your skin’s strength and elasticity.

• Cortisol: High cortisol levels weaken collagen and elastin, making it easier for the skin to tear during rapid muscle or weight changes.(10)
• Testosterone Changes: Significant shifts in testosterone, such as during puberty or from intense training stress, can affect how quickly your skin adapts to growth.(8)
• Growth Hormone (GH): During puberty or rapid muscle-building phases, growth hormone spikes can cause the body to grow faster than the skin can stretch.(11)

Genetics

Sometimes, weak connective tissues can be hereditary. Some men are naturally more prone to stretch marks because of inherited skin traits, such as slower collagen production or lower elasticity. In a study involving 670,000 individuals, 23andMe, the leading personal genetics company, identified a genetic association implicating the elastic fiber component of the skin’s extracellular matrix.(12)

How to Reduce Stretch Marks in Men

Most men aren’t overly bothered by stretch marks, especially when compared to women. If anything, men are usually curious about how common stretch marks are in males and what causes them. 

But if you notice these rippled streaks on your body and want to make them less noticeable, there are several ways to reduce stretch marks in men.

Topical Treatment to Reduce Stretch Marks in Men 

Although most men ignore stretch marks, you don’t just have to accept them. If you have new stretch marks that are still purple or blue, you can reduce them with topical treatments.(1)

Active Stretch Mark Treatments with Moisturizers and Oils

Many anecdotal moisturizers and oil treatments promise to reduce stretch marks in men and women. Most of these products have ingredients like:

• Vitamin E
• Retinol
• Tretinnoin
• Almond oil
• Jojoba oil

While they may moisturize your skin, there’s no evidence that they can reduce the appearance or get rid of stretch marks in men. In fact, a 2015 study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found no topical formulation effective at eradicating or improving Striae distensae (stretch marks).(13)

However, an older 1996 clinical study conducted on 22 people who applied 0.1% tretinoin cream daily for six months to early stretch marks showed significant improvements. After six months, 80% of people in the tretinoin group showed a 14% average decrease in length and 8% decrease in width of the stretch marks. Those who didn’t use tretinoin had a stretch mark increase of 10% in length and 24% in width.

Even though moisturizers and oils still lack solid evidence for reducing stretch marks in men, you’ll hear and read about how many people swear by them. If you decide to try them, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends:(14)

• Use the moisturizer or oil on early stretch marks because treatment seems to have little effect on mature stretch marks.
•  Massage the product into your stretch marks to make it more effective.
• Use the product daily for weeks, as results might not be immediate.

In the same article, the AAD also says that applying hyaluronic acid and tretinoin to early stretch marks can make them less noticeable.

Regular Exfoliation Treatments 

Exfoliation supports other treatments, making them work better. When you exfoliate with a body scrub or use a firm massage tool, you remove dead skin cells on the surface and increase local blood flow. Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reach the area to support the repair process and encourage healthier collagen formation.

Chemical peels, such as glycolic, lactic, and citric acid (AHAs), can trigger structural changes that reduce the appearance of stretch marks. A 2022 study shows that applying approximately 25% AHA formulations increases the thickness of both the epidermis and papillary dermis. They also improve elastic fibers and boost collagen density to soften the contrast between stretch marks and the surrounding skin.(15)

Dietary and Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Stretch Marks

You can also make some dietary and lifestyle changes to reduce male stretch marks.

Hydration 

Drinking plenty of water may keep your skin soft. People with soft skin are less susceptible to stretch marks than those with dry skin. Well-hydrated skin can stretch and retract without tearing easily. When you’re dehydrated, your dermis becomes less flexible and more prone to developing deeper, more visible stretch marks.

While drinking enough water won’t erase stretch marks, it prevents further tearing and supports the treatment you’re using. The Institute of Medicine recommends a daily water intake of 3.7

L or 125.5 oz for men.(16)

Nutrient-Rich Diet

Sometimes, stretch marks occur if you lack some nutrients:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Zinc
• Protein

These nutrients support the production of collagen and elastin, which shape how well your skin repairs itself.(3)(4) If you train heavily or bulk aggressively, you’ll burn through these nutrients faster, which makes replenishing them even more important.

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise can help reduce stretch marks in several ways. Working out is associated with increased blood flow to the skin, which means more oxygen and nutrients reach your skin to support collagen production and tissue repair.(17)

More importantly, exercise regulates hormones like cortisol, which directly weakens collagen when levels are chronically high.(18) A 2022 study also shows that working out improves skin elasticity through healthier connective tissues that make skin stronger and more resilient.(19) While you won’t work out stretch marks away, exercise can soften the appearance of existing ones and prevent new ones from forming.

Professional Treatments to Reduce Stretch Marks in Men

If stretch marks are really a concern, you can see a dermatologist who may prescribe treatment, such as:

• Laser Treatment: Vascular laser or IPL can target the redness of newer stretch marks (stria rubra).(20)
• Microneedling and Dermabrasion: These procedures create micro-trauma to the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production.(21)
• Tretinoin Cream (Retinol): A dermatologist can prescribe a retinol cream that boosts the production of new skin cells and gets rid of old ones.(1)
• Radiofrequency Treatment: With this treatment, your dermatologist delivers heat beneath the skin to tighten tissue and stimulate collagen remodeling. This treatment can improve the texture and depth of stretch marks when combined with microneedling.(22)
• Ultrasound Treatment: Your physician can use focused ultrasound energy to penetrate deeper layers of the skin and encourage collagen rebuilding. The treatment tightens the stretch marks and can support gradual improvement in visibility.(23)

Dermatologists can use one or a combination of treatments to reduce stretch marks. Unfortunately, most studies on stretch mark treatment are small-scale, making it difficult to conclude that any treatment will definitely reduce stretch marks.

However, stretch marks respond best to treatment at the early stage, when they’re red or purple and have not yet become scarred (white). Consult your dermatologist for personalized advice on the most suitable treatment for your stretch marks.

Can You Really Get Rid of Stretch Marks?

In general, removing stretch marks completely is rare. Treatments can fade stretch marks, but don’t fully erase the structural changes in the skin.

At its core, stretch marks are a form of scarring that appear when your skin stretches or shrinks faster than the underlying collagen and elastin can keep up. Most treatments improve the appearance, but complete removal is uncommon even with professional procedures.

How to Prevent New Stretch Marks

Even if you’re at a higher risk, there are some things you can do to prevent new stretch marks from forming.

1. Maintain a stable weight and gradual muscle gain.
2. Keep skin moisturized and hydrated.
3. Eat a balanced diet with vitamins A, C, and E.
4. Use stretch mark-prevention creams when bulking or losing weight quickly.

When to See a Dermatologist

Consult a professional if:

• The stretch marks are a concern to you.
• They are worsening rapidly.
• You want faster, more noticeable improvement.
• The stretch marks are painful, itchy, or inflamed.
• You have sudden, unexplained stretch marks, which could indicate hormonal or health issues.
• Over-the-counter drugs aren’t giving the results you want, and you’re ready for medical-grade options.

A Note From Universal Health and Beauty

Most men aren’t concerned with stretch marks. But if they bother you, you can take the initiative to reduce their appearance. Use topical treatments and oils to reduce the visual impact of stretch marks. If you’re planning to bulk with weight lifting or lose weight, keep your skin moisturized to help prevent new stretch marks from forming.

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