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Mar 19, 2020 · Do self-harm scars ever go away? How fast (and how fully) scars heal depends on a number of factors. Learn about the healing process of self-harm scars at HealthyPlace.
- Self-Harm Scar Cover-Up Options that Work | HealthyPlace
Your self-harm scars belong to you; it is your choice when,...
- Knowing When to Cover Your Self-Harm Scars - HealthyPlace
In an ideal world, no one would feel the need to cover...
- Self-Harm Scar Cover-Up Options that Work | HealthyPlace
- Overview
- Using Over-the-Counter Remedies
- Getting Medical Treatment
- Using Natural Remedies
- Covering Up Scars with Makeup
- Wearing Clothing and Accessories to Hide Scars
- Choosing Other Methods
Self-harming can result in scars that may last a lifetime. They can draw unwanted attention or
, and you might not feel comfortable wearing clothing that reveals your scars. Patience and time are the two key factors in reducing the appearance of scars. But there are other methods for reducing the prominence of your scars, including creams and gels you can get at the drug store, home remedies, and medical treatments. While most of these strategies won’t completely remove scars, they will help you feel more comfortable about your body.
Try a silicon gel sheet.
A silicon gel sheet is an adhesive patch that is applied to the scarred area. These can be used to reduce the appearance of scars within 2-4 months.
Wear a silicon gel sheet on your scarred area for at least 12 hours every day for 2-4 months.
Studies show that silicon gel sheets can also help flatten scars.
This topical gel is used to reduce the appearance of scars. It contains a number of different ingredients that are considered to work together to repair skin, making it look
A tube of Mederma costs between $15 and $30.
Talk to a dermatologist about what treatment is right for your type of scar.
The type of treatment you use really depends on the type of scar you have. Schedule an
with a board-certified dermatologist and ask them about your treatment options.
Your dermatologist may recommend topical retinoids or other topical medications, injected or topical steroids, or procedures such as resurfacing.
Dermabrasion is a procedure that removes the very top layer of skin, similar to scraping your knee. The skin will then heal like a skinned knee will heal.
This procedure requires local anesthetic for a small area of skin, or a more involved anesthetic for a larger area of skin.
Apply petroleum jelly to fresh scars.
) is a derivative of the oil refining process and is used to create a water-resistant barrier on the skin.
It can be helpful in reducing scarring because it keeps the skin moist and covered.
Apply petroleum jelly to the scarred area once a day.
Petroleum jelly does not seem to have an impact on older scars.
is typically available in capsules or in small bottles in health food stores or health food sections of grocery stores. Break open a capsule and drip the oil onto your scar. Massage it gently into the skin. Alternately, use a lotion with Vitamin E, rubbing the lotion on your skin twice a day.
Clean and dry your skin.
Makeup is best applied to skin that is free of oil or dirt. Wash the area of your skin where you plan to put the makeup and pat it dry.
Concealer and foundation can be combined to cover up many scars, especially if they are smaller or lighter in color.
Choose a concealer that is a few shades lighter than your skin. If your scar is red or pink, choose a foundation with green undertones. For a brownish scar, choose a concealer with yellow undertones.
Apply by dabbing the concealer on your scar. Let it dry for a few minutes.
Choose a foundation that is the same shade as your skin. Blot the foundation over the area, taking care to blend in the edges.
Cover scars with long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
If you have scars on your arms or legs, wearing clothing to cover up the scars will prevent other people from seeing them.
This is not usually a good solution for summer weather.
Tights can cover legs at almost any time of the year and can be paired with dresses, skirts or even shorts. Get lighter-weight tights for warmer times of the year and heavier-weight tights for cooler times of the year.
If your scars are on your wrists, wear accessories that cover them up. Bracelets are useful, as are wristwatches. Sweatbands can be useful while you’re working out.
If you want to go swimming, you don’t need to wear a swimsuit that bares a lot of skin. Choose a one-piece bathing suit, or wear swim shorts over your bathing suit. You can also wear a t-shirt or a surf shirt with swim shorts.
New scars are especially sensitive to ultraviolet rays, which delay the time it takes for a cut to heal. The sun can also increase discoloration of scars. Use sunscreen when you’re outdoors with your scarred skin exposed.
Get a tattoo to cover the scar.
Your scar is unlikely to go away entirely, but you can cover it up and redirect attention away from it with a tattoo. Work with a tattoo artist to design something that is both meaningful to you and functional in terms of covering the scar.
Your scars may be something you want to hide or avoid talking about, but they can also remind you about your personal strength. Acknowledge that you went through a very difficult stage in your life and you have grown stronger since then. What does not kill you makes you stronger.
How do I make my scars look less obvious?
Scars come in many shapes and sizes, including atrophic, hypertrophic, hyperpigmented, or hypopogmented. Treatments depend on the kind of scar; you should see a board-certified dermatologist for evaluation and discussion of treatment options. In general, some options include use of topical retinoids and other topical medications, injected or topical steroids, and procedures such as resurfacing lasers.
Jul 8, 2021 · Your self-harm scars belong to you; it is your choice when, if ever, to show them or hide them from the world. For those days when you would rather keep things under wraps, it's helpful to know what sort of self-harm scar cover-up options are at your disposal.
Jan 30, 2019 · In an ideal world, no one would feel the need to cover self-harm scars, and no one would be made uncomfortable by their exposure. But as it is now, many people struggle in their daily lives to judge whether, when, and to what extent they should cover self-harm scars.
Aug 12, 2020 · In my life I have self-harmed three times on my arm and it's all been on the same area. It's because I didn't want to get any more scars on a different part of my body.
Scarring adds to the psychological impact of dealing with self-harm. There are many feelings associated with scars as they are a physical reminder of having survived a difficult time in your life. Often scars are less noticeable to other people and it can be empowering to accept your scars.
Aug 20, 2020 · Self-injury such as hair-pulling, picking and self-hitting is usually a way to relieve emotional stress. “People self-harm as a desperate way to cope with what feels like unbearable emotional...
