scars?

LegacyUser

Hi, sorry for anon but its a bit personal.
anyway I've been self harming for 10 years, and now I'm getting help and things might be looking up I'm not looking for advice on the self harm as I've been able to bring it down I'm asking about the scarring. I've basically covered more or less my whole body except a bit of my face with scars and the thing it is shocking to see and look at so i shouldn't be surprised people don't like it but i still don't like the way people react. I don't really know what to do or what the solution could be. Thank you for reading

Jenneke87

Don't know how deepset the scars are but vitamine e creme tends to lessen them. A more expensive(but probably more effective) way is to go to a beauty clinic and have them lasered away.

Penny Tration

Op, are your scars purple/red or white?

If white, that may be as faded as they're gonna get.

If purple or red, you can rub in vit e, bio oil or cocoa butter, all of which can help fade scars.

Also, something that worked for me was the sun. I was on a sunny holiday, and wore loads of suncream, but the exposure faded my scars quite well.

And well done on getting help!

degausserxo

I used Kelocote for a few months, it's a silicone gel that my dermatologist recommended. It hasn't gotten rid of them entirely, but it's dramatically reduced the appearance of burns and scarring as a result of getting them stitched. Quite pricey though, think it's about €55. I've used every cream and gel under the sun that didn't make a dent in them, but this stuff really works.

bnagrrl

I found Bio Oil great for scars. It really faded a large scar I had on my abdomen after an appendectomy.

If your scars are white there is no longer blood flow to the area and as far as I know there is nothing much you can do to lessen their appearance. If they're purple or red, rub in the oil and keep them moisturised as much as possible. Massaging the area can help with the blood flow and stop the formation of thick scar tissue. Also cover scars with sunblock when you go outside. The sun can damage the new, healing skin and cause it to discolour making the scar even more visible.

All the best.

loveisdivine

I used bio oil on my self harm scars. They are all white now and wouldn't really be noticeable from a distance, but next to someone you can still see them. I've been recovered for a good few years now and I'm kinda at a point where I'm not too bothered if someone see's them or makes a funny face. Most people are polite enough not to actually mention them.

I started a new job 2 years ago, the only scars I have visible in the workplace are my wrists, I imagine everyone I work with has noticed them at some point but nobodies ever made a big deal about it and they don't treat me any differently than anyone else.

My only advice is a bit of bio oil to make them less noticeable and the assurance that with time, you will be less and less bothered with other people seeing them. A stranger might give a funny look, but anyone who actually gets to know you a little will see theres much more to you than your scars.

MacDurce

I found Bio Oil great for scars also, not self harm but bad eczema, left me with deep scratch marks and holes. For your face perhaps look into retin-a it helped with some of the scars on my face and as a plus was great for wrinkles and spots, talk to your GP about it maybe?

Glad things are looking up on the self harm front. Try to stay positive!

dudara

Look into using Bio-oil or Vitamin E creams. That can really help reduce the physical side of things. You can then look into clothing options to help "conceal/minimise" the scarring.

I have a large vertical scar on my chest from open-heart surgery and sometimes I see people noticing it, but for the most part people are polite & get over it quickly.

Sincere congratulations to you for getting to grips with things.

LegacyUser

bluetrainerswhitelaces wrote: »

Hi, sorry for anon but its a bit personal.
anyway I've been self harming for 10 years, and now I'm getting help and things might be looking up I'm not looking for advice on the self harm as I've been able to bring it down I'm asking about the scarring. I've basically covered more or less my whole body except a bit of my face with scars and the thing it is shocking to see and look at so i shouldn't be surprised people don't like it but i still don't like the way people react. I don't really know what to do or what the solution could be. Thank you for reading

I'm the same. Have "picked" my skin since an early age and it looks pretty bad. Especially on my shoulders and back. So wearing certain dresses/tops is out of the question.
Unfortunately, my skin is also very sensitive so can't use bio-oil etc as it brings it out in a rash.
I feel so self conscious about it. I can't imagine how anyone would ever find me attractive because of it. Don't have any advice except to say that I know a little of what you're going through.

LegacyUser

Thanks guys, really appreciate the advice. Unfortunately bio oil never works that well for me, it makes my skin incredibly itchy and doesn't seem to fade my scars at all.

@scarredbody - yeah it sucks.

otnomart

also try and take vitamin E and Evening Primrose Oil supplements, as they can improve the hydration and aspect of the skin (they are recommended also for eczema and psoriasis), you can find them in Health Shops