Stretch Marks On The Shoulders: Why You Get Them And How To Prevent Them

Stretch marks on the shoulders are quite common. They can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, or body type. But these marks are especially common when you follow an intense workout routine that focuses more on building muscle mass on the shoulders, stretching the skin. Stretch marks on the shoulders are bothersome as they are tough to hide. So, it’s crucial to understand their causes and the treatment options well.

While you cannot make them disappear completely, you can improve their appearance and make them less noticeable. This article explores how you can prevent stretch marks on the shoulders and hide them. Scroll down.

Trivia

Stretch marks are also called striae distensae or striae. They develop when debris (skin layer between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues) gets ripped.

Why Do You Get Stretch Marks On Your Shoulders?

You develop stretch marks when you put too much pressure on your skin, making it stretch beyond its capacity. Stretch marks usually appear when you follow an intense workout and bodybuilding routine and rapidly build muscle mass on your biceps and shoulders (1), (2). The skin on your shoulders stretches rapidly at an abnormal pace to accommodate the growing muscle mass. This leads to stretch marks. They may also be caused by the tearing of the skin’s elastin fibers, genetics, pregnancy, puberty, or rapid body changes.

Men usually develop stretch marks on their shoulders, biceps, and chest area. High testosterone helps men build muscle mass more rapidly. Hence, they are more likely to develop shoulder stretch marks. Women may develop shoulder stretch marks due to rapid weight gain (3). However, they are not dangerous or cause any problems. Let’s understand in detail.

Are Stretch Marks Dangerous?

Stretch marks are not dangerous. They are a common cosmetic concern and do not pose any health risks. They also do not require any medical treatment, but some people may not like their appearance.

Although they may initially appear red or purple, they tend to fade over time, becoming less noticeable. Various creams and treatments can help minimize their appearance. If you have concerns about stretch marks, consult a dermatologist or seek advice on over-the-counter products, but remember, they are a normal part of many people’s lives and not a cause for worry.

Jessica Nicolette, a blogger, shares how she deals with stretch marks. She has had them since she was 8 years old. She writes, “With growing up and emerging into womanhood, there were more. They turned from purple to red to white. Now, they seem to be everywhere (i).” She has them on her shoulders, hips, thighs, back of knees, arms, and breasts. Jessica further adds that she gained new ones when she gained weight during the pandemic. However, over the years, she has learned to accept them. She adds, “I can also adopt the vision that my stretch marks show the ways my body has survived throughout all highs and lows.”

Now let’s take a look at the different ways to minimize their appearance.

How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks On The Shoulders

Though it may not be possible to eliminate stretch marks, we can make them fade with time. The process also depends on your skin type and how it is healing. Often, when you lose weight and the skin is no longer tight, the stretch marks become visible.

As the results of the treatment depend on your skin type and its capacity to produce collagen, it is best to consult a dermatologist. The doctor can evaluate your skin and the marks and decide the right treatment for you.

Here are a few treatment options that dermatologists may recommend (1), (2), (3):

• Laser therapyⁱ  A skin-improving technique that uses lasers to stimulate collagen formation in the dermis and epidermis
• Microneedling
• Microdermabrasionⁱ  A light cosmetic treatment that extracts the top layer of dead skin cells from the epidermis with a mechanical medium.
• Radiofrequencyⁱ  A skin-tightening procedure that stimulates elastin, hyaluronic acid production, and cutaneous collagen with radio frequency energy.
• Collagenⁱ  The primary structural protein that the human body produces. It is composed of hydroxyproline, glycine, and proline. injections
• Acid peelsⁱ  A procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layer and smoothen the skin texture.
• Topical Creams and ointments
• Topical ointments
• Hyaluronic acid creams and retinoid creams

The doctor may recommend a single treatment or a combination of treatments for stretch marks. In severe cases, they may also recommend cosmetic surgery.

However, you can take precautions to ensure your skin recovers quickly and the stretch marks become milder and barely visible.

Ways To Prevent Stretch Marks On The Shoulders

1. Follow A Proper Workout Routine

Avoid doing intense exercises to build your muscles in a short span. Follow a routine that supports gradual muscle gain. This will give your skin ample time to adjust to the changing muscle mass. It will also minimize the development of stretch marks to a great extent.

2. Avoid Taking Steroids

Steroids and related supplements can boost your muscle mass quickly. However, your skin cannot keep up with the pace, and you will develop stretch marks on the shoulders. Hence, focus on gradual muscle gain.

3. Eat Well

Following a balanced and healthy diet plan reduces your chances of sudden weight gain. Such diets are rich in essential nutrients and vitamins that keep your skin healthy. Eat lots of nutritious and whole foods. Avoid sugary and junk foods.

4. Keep Your Skin Moisturized

Moisturization is crucial to keep your skin hydrated and elastic. Dry skin develops stretch marks easily. Hence, regularly massage your skin with moisturizers, creams, lotions, cocoa, and shea butter, etc.

You have to be patient with the process. Results often take time, and you cannot expect the stretch marks to vanish from your skin. They are going to stay. However, with time, the marks keep fading. If you want some quick fixes to hide your stretch marks while your skin recovers, here are a few ways you may try.

How To Hide Stretch Marks On The Shoulders

1. Hide Them With Clothes

Wear tees and shirts with sleeves. Avoid wearing sleeveless or racerback tops.

2. Use A Self-Tanner

Sunless tanners or self-tanners are available in the form of lotions, sprays, and creams. Do not apply the self-tanner only to your stretch marks. This will make them noticeable. Instead, apply it to the entire area with a cotton swab.

3. Use Makeup

You may use body makeup to hide your stretch marks. Use a waterproof concealer close to your skin tone for hiding the marks. You can also think about using body bronzers or tinted lotions to create a more uniform skin tone, as this can help visually reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Did You Know?

In the initial stages, stretch marks appear as purple or reddish lesions and tend to lose their pigmentation with time.

Infographic: Shoulder Stretch Marks: Causes And Prevention

Stretch marks are not a critical health concern but have a negative impact on body image. You should love your body and try to keep it healthy. But honestly, they can affect your self-esteem and confidence.
If that’s the case and you are facing issues related to your shoulder stretch marks, go through the infographic below to learn the causes and how to prevent them.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Do stretch marks go away?

No. Although stretch marks may fade and become less prominent with time, they do not disappear completely.

Can stretch marks be surgically removed from my shoulder?

Stretch marks cannot be removed. They can only be made to fade through surgical and laser treatments.

Can retinol help stretch marks?

Yes, studies suggest that retinol may improve skin metabolic rate and increase cell production. This may help in improving the appearance of stretch marks (4).

Can Vaseline remove stretch marks?

Yes, Vaseline is considered an occlusive, which prevents your skin from losing water and speeds up skin barrier repair. This may help in keeping your stretch marks moisturized and healing them quickly (5).

Does Bio-oil work on stretch marks?

Yes, scientific evidence indicates that topical application of Bio-oil may improve the appearance of stretch marks over time (6).

Do silicone patches work for stretch marks?

Yes, silicone patches may increase collagen production, which may help in fading the stretch marks on your shoulders (4).

Does argan oil help stretch marks?

Yes, a study showed that early application of a cream containing argan oil improves skin elasticity, which in turn may be instrumental in the early treatment of stretch marks (7).

Get rid of stretch marks on your shoulders naturally with this insightful video. Explore effective home remedies, skincare techniques, and lifestyle tips to help fade and minimize the appearance of stretch marks. Check it out!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Nisha RMBBS, MD DVL

   

Dr. Nisha is a clinical dermatologist and aesthetic physician with 7 years of experience. She completed her MBBS at Chettinad Hospital & Research Institute and earned her master's degree from Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research.

Read full bio of Dr. Nisha R

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.

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