There are several reasons for why and where you will get stretch marks as you progress with your bodybuilding. Among them are the rate of your weight gain, nutritional deficiencies and the type of your skin.
Rapid weight gain is the common source of getting stretch marks among all types of individuals. It is why pregnant women, overweight individual, and teenagers are all affected. Anytime your skin has to quickly accommodate more mass it unavoidably has to stretch. This includes bulking up and putting on muscle.
Bodybuilders are most often afflicted under the arms in the pec/delt tie-in region. This are is especially susceptible due to the very quick muscle growth there.
The key to minimizing the amount of stretch marks you get is controlling your fat intake. Endeavour to gain muscle while minimizing fat.
Make sure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy skin growth and regeneration. These include vitamins A, C, E and Zinc. This can be accommodated by taking a good multi-vitamin daily. Zinc is especially important because it is key to the production of collagen. Adequate collagen makes the formation of stretch marks less likely.
Many stretch mark creams, like Trilastin SR, have proven results and are extremely effective and both preventing and getting rid of stretch marks.
Many body builders have also reported success with tanning. Of course you want to be cautious of the dangers of too much sun exposure, but this can make the stretch marks turn back to a color closer to your own skin.
