Stretch marks are the result of "stretched skin". This happens mostly when someone grows too fast or has rapid weight fluctuations. These marks can appear on the upper arms, breast or chest, abdomen, hips, thighs and back of the knees.

Generally, women are more susceptible to stretch marks. But, men can also develop them especially extreme athletes. Bodybuilders, for example, are a group of athletes that are especially susceptible to developing stretch marks.

They work on "bulking up", which causes their skins to stretch excessively in a short period of time. It is highly common for bodybuilders to develop stretch marks along their thighs and lower abdomen. For this reason, many bodybuilders are concerned about how they can treat stretch marks.

How to Treat Stretch Marks

Stretch mark removal is not really an option for bodybuilders as they do not have excess skin that can be removed. In fact, surgical options are much more adequate for people who have lost a great deal of weight and have loose skin that can be removed. However, there are other treatment options for bodybuilders.

Stretch marks creams and other stretch mark products, like rose hip seed oil, are a great alternative to treating new stretch marks, however, when stretch marks have been around for a while it may not be possible to eliminate them completely. Rose hip seed oil is very effective in dramatically reducing the appearance of stretch marks but not in eliminating them.

In fact, the best solution for bodybuilders lies in covering up their stretch marks. If this is the route you choose then there are three basic ways of covering up these bothersome striations: clothing, makeup, and self tanners. These solutions can also work on people that don't practice bodybuilding.

Another Alternative to Dealing with Stretch Marks - Covering Them Up

Clothing is an easy way of covering up stretch marks. You can use jackets and long sleeve shirts to cover the stretch marks on your arms. Clothing that covers your abdomen is another alternative. Clothing isn't always a good option, especially for bodybuilders that are always competing and showing off their body. In this case body makeup or self tanners can come in handy.

Body makeup is thicker and more wear-proof than other traditional foundations. When you have stretch marks in areas that are hard to cover with clothing, this is an ideal option for you.

Spray on tan or self tanning lotions are another alternative for covering up stretch marks. Real tanning will only darken the skin around the stretch marks and make them stand out. But, self tanners will cover the skin evenly and help you avoid too much sun exposure.