Stretch marks are not only found on pregnant women. Body builders frequently suffer them, and so do teens who have gone through a growth spurt.

Although they can be unsightly, stretch marks are a common type of scar caused when the skin is trying to cover an area of muscle that is growing at too quick a pace. The skin is naturally elastic, so it does its best not to crack and tear. Instead, it stretches.

The resulting mark is usually flat to the touch, but can be different colors depending on natural skin tone. Some stretch mark sufferers report that the area is like other scars and does not tan, others report that their stretch marks are significantly darker than their skin tone all the time.

Stretch marks occur not just on the belly area, but also along the arms and legs, where large muscles like the biceps or quadriceps have grown too quickly for the surrounding skin to keep up.

There are solutions for stretch marks. Some Dermatologists may offer assurances that the stretch marks will fade over time. Others may suggest expensive laser skin treatments, which can leave the skin tender or even more irritated and red.

Powerful yet soothing skin creams may offer the best solution for results without side effects.

StriVectin-SD is a cream clinically proven to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. In fact, 93% of test subjects had visible reduction of their stretch marks.

StriVectin-SD not only features powerful moisturizers like sweet almond oil, mango butter, and shea butter, but it includes glucosamine, which may work to revitalize connective tissues in the skin.