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

Generally, women are the ones that are most susceptible to stretch marks, but men can also develop them especially if they practice certain sports. For example, men that practice bodybuilding are especially likely to develop stretch marks.

They work on "bulking up", which causes their skins to stretch excessively 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. Nevertheless, bodybuilders do have other treatment options.

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 can noticeably reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but it cannot eliminate them.

Perhaps the best solution for bodybuilders is to cover 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.

Covering 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, and abdomen. However, since bodybuilders compete they need other options that will help cover up stretch marks. In this case body makeup or self tanners can come in handy.

Body makeup is much thicker and more wear-proof than traditional foundation. When you have stretch marks in areas that are hard to cover or that you simply don't want 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. If you don't like fake tans and prefer the real deal, then you should know that real tans make stretch marks stand out even more. However, self tanners are a great way of covering the skin evenly while keeping you out of the sun.