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How to get rid of self harm scars?

349 Answers
Last Updated: 04/09/2021 at 7:20pm
How to get rid of self harm scars?
★ This question about Self-Harm was starred by a moderator on 5/12/2016.
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Tracy-Kate Teleke, PsyD, M.A., LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

I assist adults and couples in CA experiencing relationship challenges and interpersonal struggles including anxiety, depression, and a myriad of other life challenges.

Top Rated Answers
HelpfulCow
- Expert in Self-Harm
November 10th, 2014 10:29pm
There are cremes and other stuff you can put on scars to make them less visible. This can really make it (almost) disappear
Anonymous - Expert in Self-Harm
November 7th, 2014 1:10pm
Bio oil is fantastic for getting rid of scars and making your skin clear again. However, you don't need to get rid of them.
TheFleaMarket
August 13th, 2015 4:59pm
Mostly, without extensive corrective surgery, there is not much we can do to get rid of them. There are some topical products which can reduce their visibility, but they only work to a small extent. I find it more strengthening to learn to accept them as part of you; as part of your journey. I have some rather large ones on my upper arm and thought I would never be able to go to the pool or the beach ever again because of how much embarrassment I felt when I thought of others judging me. I can't say for sure what has changed about my view of them over the years but I have grown to accept them as part of me. I refuse to be ashamed by them any longer and now I almost feel as if they are badges I can wear with pride. Like "Look, I had some serious stress in the past but I'm still standing!". Occasionally I catch people glancing at them when I wear tank tops. At the market, or when I'm giving a stranger directions, but I don't worry about what they think any longer. It almost feels good to be recognized. For them to see my scars and then see the smile on my face. I like to think they're having some troubles of their own and thinking "Wow, he's gone through some tough stuff and seems like he came out OK. Maybe I can be OK too." You never know who you could be helping simply by showing your true skin.
SandSoul
August 5th, 2015 9:17am
Apply lemon to the scar. Lemons contain alpha hydroxy acids(AHA) which help to remove dead skin cells, help new cells grow, and bring back some elasticity to the skin. As a natural bleach, it can help lighten scars. Make sure the scar and surrounding area are cleaned thoroughly Put 1 teaspoon of lemon juice on a cotton ball Rub the cotton ball on the scarred area Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse it off Lemon juice may make your skin sensitive to light, so consider wearing sunscreen wherever you applied it when going outside Use honey. Raw honey can also be used to fade scars. It is a natural moisturizer, can be effective in the treatment of wounds, and stimulates tissue regeneration. Mix 2 tbsp. of raw honey with 2 tbsp. of baking soda Massage for 3 minutes Place a hot washcloth over the area When the washcloth has cooled, use it to wipe the area clean
Gemma8483
September 18th, 2014 9:38pm
Bio-oil works pretty well in the long term, also gentle exfoliation helps. Sometimes scars will never completely go away but there are ways of making them less visible:)
Sauer
September 14th, 2014 7:16am
I used to self harm myself. I found this one product called scar guard and it seemed to work well for my situation. Personally if they are seriously large or that doesn't seem to work you could always see a Dermatologists for better help.
Gracey
November 8th, 2014 11:35pm
Rubbing BioOil or a similar oil into self-harm scars can reduce their appearance and depending on the severity may even get rid of them all together.
LovelyRoses91
November 4th, 2014 5:58am
I used Mederma, and vitamin E oil also works. I was also told by my old therapist that there is a new patch on the market. It silicone and you can cut it into strips to fit your scars. It's expensive, but it works wonders.
CoraJohnson
October 2nd, 2014 12:31am
There is scar reducing lotion or ointments you can get that kinda get rid of them, depending on how bad the scar is .
listeningtoraindrops
July 2nd, 2015 9:27am
My upper left arm has some deep scarring. I was always ashamed of it. One day this guy said to me "I have those too." He showed me his arm but I didn't notice his scars because his entire arm had a beautiful tattoo. So two years ago I got a half sleeve beautiful tattoo on my left arm. The tattooist had a tricky time tattooing on some parts and I can still feel the raised lines of the scar, but when people say my arm now all they say is compliments. Now I don't hide my arm in shame anymore.
TropicalSeas91
November 20th, 2014 11:03am
Cover them up with tattoos, or work on tanning over them if they're not too deep. Some of your scars might fade in time, although unfortunately you will always know they're there.
Anonymous
March 11th, 2015 12:39am
Figuring out how to get rid of self harm scars from previous self harming is a really tough thing to do. Most people use some sort of make-up. I would see a dermatologist if you have health insurance! But the best answer is to go see someone for self harm help and try to stop. Good luck and hang in there! It gets easier.
Anonymous
November 12th, 2014 5:43am
Use BioOil. It gets rid of scars, wrinkles, etc. However, keep in mind that you scars are not something you should hate or want to desperately get rid of, especially for aesthetic purposes.
plumLand4641
August 17th, 2015 6:38am
I have self-harmed scar on my arms since my childhood. Recently I have undergone the acne scar treatment from Fairview Laser cosmetic surgery clinic in Toronto. Waiting for the moment when these scars would completely disappear from my arms.
Anonymous
November 11th, 2014 9:27pm
It can depend on what the scars look like and the severity of them. You can use cocoa butter to help soften them and slowly fade. As well there is Bio-Oil that does work wonders
AmeliaRose
October 17th, 2014 12:12pm
Well I don't think getting rid of your scars is a good idea but you can cover them in concealer :)!
AndreRamos
October 3rd, 2014 7:44pm
There are creams that help heal the scars, that you can find at pharmacies, avoid scratching the wounds, and along with the cream the scars will fade away with time. From experience ( but not sure of this) sun bathing seems to help too. Lastly there's also make-up, that can be laid on the skin to hide the scars for a temporary solution.
Erynn
- Expert in Self-Harm
November 20th, 2014 11:23am
Some scars you wont be able to get rid of. However, the color and bumpiness of a scar can be decreased with various topical creams - some home remedies work, some scar products are sold at stores. Just know that it won't be a quick solution. So if you need a scar 'gone' in a month, it probably wont happen. HOWEVER, on the long-term scale, most scars can become exceedingly faded and hard to see. Most of my scars aren't very from a distance now. In general, my scars appear to be significantly diminished 6 months - 2 years after they began healing. Your healing time will vary by your skin, the injury, how you cared for the wound when it occurred, and where the wound is on your body. I hope these comments help! Best of luck. Stay safe.
Anonymous
May 8th, 2015 11:02am
It is impossible. I've tried. Self-harm scars stay there, and they never go away. I appreciate them because I know they're times when I had it hard, and I faced the problem.
Inara92
November 7th, 2014 7:18pm
There are products that can help the scars fade away with time,I've never tried it but I heard that vitamine E can be beneficial and that hydroquinone cream can help whitening red scars. Also there are different type of oils that can help. I'm sure that there are surgical ways to reduce prominent scars with lasers but then again, I've never tried it. With time scars tend to make themself less visible and white! don't be ashamed of your scars, I know people often judge, but you really have nothing to be ashamed for! stay strong
StandForFreedom
August 15th, 2015 1:59pm
Many scars will fade with time, and unfortunately some will never fade. It is crucial through that at the time of self harming, you take care of yourself and your wound really well, and as it heals keep it clean, then continue to keep the fresh skin moisturized. Scars can be a painful reminder for some people, but you know what, we all have our scars, either physically or mentally, and scars are a sign of survival! So proud of each of you!
SLothe
November 2nd, 2014 11:40pm
Unfortunately, you must wait. Only time will heal your scars. You can speed up the process by eating foods that benefit the skin or taking supplements known to help skin regeneration.
Rach0403
November 4th, 2014 11:36pm
Bio oil works really well to reduce the redness and to blend them into your skin! It makes them less noticeable but unfortunately there is no way of getting rid of them completely.
Anonymous
November 9th, 2014 9:39pm
They sometimes fade with time, but otherwise I don't know of any method that really gets rid of them.
Anonymous
June 21st, 2015 4:46pm
Sometimes they will never be 100% faded, but bio oil or vitamin e oil works very well. You can pick some up at a local drug store. Also, avoid tanning as it makes them appear more clearly.
Anonymous
March 29th, 2017 2:04am
Dermelastic serum really does help with stretch marks and scars. I have a large scar that is beginning to lighten due to using this serum. I also have some areas with stretch marks that are fading. I would recommend this serum to any one.
Anonymous
November 14th, 2014 7:52pm
There are certain creams, ointments and gels that can help making scars less visible. Depending on how deep your scars are, they might fade on their own over time. If you have new cuts, try treating them immediately and try to keep them hydrated as they heal, that makes them less visible once they're healed.
fromthesea
November 9th, 2014 12:47pm
I heard that bio oil helps. I think that scrubbing and moisturizing them helps. For covering them up you can just layer foundation and concealer (green concealer helps against redness).
NikiTaylor
October 30th, 2014 4:42am
Scars can be difficult to get rid of, but if you want to remove them there are certain oils that have been known to help. For example, vitamin E oil or coconut, rubbed on the scar has helped reduce several of my scars. When I burned myself with my straightener, I put Homeopathic Calendula Cream on my burn and it got rid of the majority of the scar. Here's a website that might be helpful if you're interested in using other oils: http://simplelifemom.com/2014/03/12/essential-oils-for-scars/
RachaelIsAwesome
April 2nd, 2015 2:20pm
You can put lotion on them every day two times. You can also gets scar and stretch mark cream. I have my own bottle and it helps with both. Stay Strong!! :)