It's not the gear causing them, it's the mass you are gaining as a result of the gear, stretching your skin. They sell a cream at GNC that's really expensive, dont remember the name. It's supposed to not only make your skin more elastic to prevent stretch marks, but reduce or hide those that you have. My wife uses it, and she still has visible marks but she says she notices a big change. Easy to find there, it's usually on the counter or behind it cause it's like $120 bucks, but her dermitoligist swears by it, and you might find it cheaper elsewhere, but GNC will refund your money no questions asked if you dont like it after 30 days.