I know some of you guys will call me a pussy and I should be proud of these things, but the fact is I’m not. I went on a bulking cycle and gained 20 to 25lbs. Probably a little more fat than I wanted to, but anyways, I developed quite a few stretch marks on my innner thighs and I was wondering what you guys do about stretch marks. Obviously with working out and getting bigger this can happen, so how do you deal with them? Or do you just look at them as battle scars and grunt “I am man, here me roar!”
I personally hate the stretch marks that I have. Some here might say “Be proud, they are battle scars!!” But I want to look good more than prove I have put on a lot of muscle. The general public, which includes most women, don’t look at strecth marks and think they look cool.
As far as what to do, I don’t think much helps really. I try and put a cocoa butter lotion on them once a day, which seems to soften the skin and make it more supple, and reduces the redness a little. Time will also help.
Congratulations on the great gains.
Jeff
There is not much at all you can reasonably do about them because it is scar tissue. I have them all of the way down my arms starting at my shoulders. They aren’t visible in photos but can be seen pretty well up close. That was because my arms grew the fastest in college and then my shoulders weren’t far behind. Cocoa butter does not work. Many are just more predisposed to getting them, however, MOST bodybuilders who are bigger than average have them. In fact, I have yet to see one huge lifter without them. It isn’t that we like having them, we just deal with them. The alternative is to not get bigger. I would rather have the marks than weigh 150lbs to avoid them. Women don’t seem to mind so screw it…and them.
If you are a white guy, tanning may help to some degree. I use them as a sign of progress now. New ones on my upper chest let me know the inclines are working.
There are some recent products on the market for scars, but they list that they are not good for stretch marks. So maybe a product that actually works might come out.
Anyway, if you have the funds you could go to a dermatologist. They have various treatments for skin problems.
My wife and others swear by La Mer cream. You can get it at Neiman Marcus and other high-end stores but it is incredibly expensive. It was originally developed to help burn victims but now has a cult following.
http://www.perfumebay.com/cremer100.html?bizrate!!b_id=17
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2003/oct/16/life/20031016lif1.html
Nothing wrong with wanting to get rid of stretch marks at all.