Stretch marks are the result of "stretched skin". This generally affects people that grow too quickly or lose or gain weight faster than their skin can adapt to the changes. 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 are a group of athletes that are especially susceptible to developing stretch marks.

Bodybuilders try to "bulk up" and develop more muscle mass. This, in turn, forces their skin to stretch in a short period of time. It is common for bodybuilders to develop stretch marks in their thighs, lower abdomen, and on their biceps and pectorals. This is why bodybuilders are concerned about how they can treat stretch marks.

Ways of Treating Stretch Marks

Stretch mark removal isn't really an option for bodybuilders because they don't 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.

New stretch marks can be treated with stretch marks creams and other stretch mark products, like rose hip seed oil, however, as they get older 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. There are three basic ways of covering up these bothersome striations: clothing, makeup and self tanners. Anyone interested in covering up their stretch marks can benefit from using these solutions.

Another Alternative to Dealing with Stretch Marks - Covering Them Up

Clothing is an easy and inexpensive way of covering up your 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. However, bodybuilders compete regularly and need other options that will help cover up stretch marks, in which case they may use body makeup or self tanners.

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

Another alternative for covering up stretch marks is spray on tans or self tanning lotions. Real tanning will only darken the skin around the stretch marks and make them stand out. However, self tanners will help cover the skin evenly and keep you from having to expose yourself to the damaging sun rays.