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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
softPresence26
July 12th, 2015 9:39am
Every time you want to cut yourself draw a design in that place .. You will see how the scars turn out to be beautiful pictures
Anonymous
July 10th, 2015 6:38am
You can try using make up but it will still show. What I did was to get a tattoo above it, even though it turned out to be a big tattoo, it hid the scars.
skydrews
July 9th, 2015 6:07pm
I think it's good to let them heal, and when they are fully healed you can look at them, as a battle you fought, and won by stopping.
Box3dJ3llyFish
July 9th, 2015 7:47am
There's many ways of doing so, these include: Over The Counter: 1.) 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. 2.) Use Mederma. 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 smoother and softer. 3.) Try Bio-Oil. This oil is applied directly to the surface of scars to reduce their appearance. It also helps smooth out uneven skin tone, useful when your scars are pink, red or brown. 4.) Try other scar reduction creams or gels. There are a number of other scar treatment gels and creams that may help reduce the appearance of scars. Getting Medical Treatment: 1.) Get dermabrasion. 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. 2.) Ask about skin grafting. This surgical treatment involves removing the very top layer of skin in the affected area and covering it with very thin skin patches taken from the thigh or other part of the body. 3.) Get scar revision surgery. Scar revision surgery is a procedure that changes what your scar looks like by cutting out scar tissue and resewing the skin. 4.) Try laser resurfacing. Laser resurfacing involves treating the skin over multiple sessions. Using Natural Remedies: 1.) Apply petroleum jelly to fresh scars. Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is a derivative of the oil refining process and is used to create a water-resistant barrier on the skin. 2.) Use vitamin E oil. Vitamin E is typically available in capsules or in small bottles in health food stores or health food sections of grocery stores. 3.) Try aloe vera. Aloe vera is a plant with multiple health benefits, including reducing inflamed skin and moisturizing skin. 4.) Use lemon juice. Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent and can help lighten scars. 5.) Use olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil can help reduce the appearance of scars. 6.) Try other home remedies. There are many other natural home remedies that can be used to help reduce the appearance of scars. Some of these include: lavender oil, chamomile tea, cod liver oil, baking soda, cocoa butter, tea tree oil and honey. Covering Up Scars w/ Makeup: 1.) 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. 2.) Use concealer and foundation. Concealer and foundation can be combined to cover up many scars, especially if they are smaller or lighter in color. 3.) Use a tattoo concealer. Tattoo concealer is a heavy duty, usually water-resistant concealer that can be applied to the skin to cover marks such as tattoos. Wearing Clothing and Accessories to Hide Scars: 1.) 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. 2.) Wear tights. Tights can cover legs at almost any time of the year and can be paired with dresses, skirts or even shorts. 3.) Wear wrist accessories. If your scars are on your wrists, wear accessories that cover them up. 4.) Wear modest swim coverings. If you want to go swimming, you don’t need to wear a swimsuit that bares a lot of skin. OTHER Methods: 1.) Wear sunscreen. New scars are especially sensitive to ultraviolet rays, which delay the time it takes for a cut to heal. 2.) 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. 3.) Accept your scars. 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. Thank you.
Kaaaatie
July 8th, 2015 11:09pm
I've found that putting on a skin-colored foundation and setting it with pressed powder clears up the appearance of scars.
CastielsAngel305
June 24th, 2015 11:50am
Try a lotion containing vitamin E. Coconut oil is also good. Though be prepared, if the scars are deep they may not go away. I hope everything is alright and that you have stopped self harming.
Anonymous
March 11th, 2016 2:19am
They have cocoa butter lotion and that gets rid of most scars over a certain period of time as long as you apply daily.
Anonymous
March 10th, 2016 7:31am
Hi! I've recently faced the same problem and I did some research on that. I found out that you can buy some special creams to conceal the scars and make them smoother in the long term. You can also have a laser operation to remove your scars permanently, although it costs much more. Hope it helps! Good luck!
Anonymous
March 31st, 2016 9:52pm
Those scars at first can be a painful reminder, but eventually they become something that show what you survived, that showed your strength. Do not be ashamed. However if you want them gone, depending on the severity, you can have gorgeous tattoo covers, and you can get good creams for scars, or go speak to your doctor. There is a different solution for everyone, I hope you find the right one for you
ImmaMonster
April 3rd, 2016 12:49am
I am an addicted self-harmer and I find it very hard, especially when there is high scar tissue on obvious parts of your body. I wear sleeves majority of the time and long pants but you obviously can't do that every day for the rest of you life can you? When I'm not wearing sleeves I often wear make up, water proof spray tan (if I'm going in water) and for the places with high scar tissue Ii sometimes use liquid layex. It's just like another skin and its clear. It's also extremely easy to apply. The only negative is that it can be quite expensive. Nowadays I tend to not actually bother with any of this though because it takes a lot of time and effort to do it. Also I found that I was constantly stressing over if they were properly covered. It's not like Ii didn't do a good job or anything it's just that Ii was constantly paranoid about it. So i told my family and closest friends, and now I don't really worry about it too much, and it's not like I advertise it. Also I'm not saying that I don't get the sideway looks or the constant questions but I do feel better about not having to hide that part of myself anymore, and I think it has made me stronger.
UniqueLife
March 31st, 2016 6:58am
If it's not too big or deep, it'll usually heal over time. But if it turns out to be a keloid, then you'll probably have to laser it
Anonymous
April 3rd, 2016 11:00am
there is no real way to get rid of them besides time. you can buy all the creams and pills in the world but the best thing out there is just time & patience. one day your scars will fade but they'll never leave.
peacelovemusic03
February 11th, 2016 8:10pm
I use aloe Vera after sun gel- works very well. Other methods could be something like Mederma scar cream, baby lotion or lotion with aloe or Shea butter.
heyitsvictoria
June 26th, 2015 8:48am
While there are some creams that help lighten the marks, there is no way to get rid of self harm scars (depending on how severe they are), and while they can sometimes be triggering, it helps to see them as battle scars. They are a reminder that you are strong and you fought and won against the negativity in life. It's hard, but try to embrace your scars and part of your past.
bigjumpersbighearts
April 4th, 2016 2:27am
lemon juice bleaches them if they're dark n i've also found that pure coconut oil works wonders! i'm not sure why it works, but mine are hardly noticeable now, so maybe that's something y'all would want to try x but also, unless you feel they have to vanish, don't be ashamed of them, they show that you fought your way through a bad time in your life
Anonymous
June 28th, 2015 5:38am
Concealer helps to cover for events but to grey rid of scars, moisture is key. Definitely use moisturizer
Anonymous - Expert in Self-Harm
June 25th, 2015 11:20pm
Fraxel Dual is a skin resurfacing laser treatment that can get rid of scars. It can be pretty pricey, but it works. Scar creams may fade scars, more likely if they are newer. Some people also choose to tattoo over the scars as a cover up. Some makeup made for covering tattoos might work for scarring as well.
peacefulMusic4
May 4th, 2016 10:24pm
Like others have mentioned bio oil can help reduce the appearance of scars. Another option (although it is very expensive) is the creme de le mer (I'm sure that's what it's called). Apparent,y it was designed by a man to help reduce his wife's scars - I don't know what type of scars but there you go!
beautiful5oul
March 13th, 2016 12:30am
The best cure is time. Scars will get better over time, and maintaining care for them through ointment and bandages. If you feel uncomfortable with anyone seeing your scars while they are healing cover them with bandages.
Anonymous
March 20th, 2016 9:01am
First of all, congratulations for having enough courage to stop. Second, sometimes you can't really get rid of the scars. But learn to appreciate how far you came instead =)
Dee95
March 11th, 2016 9:11am
I used to just wear lots of bracelets but the truth is I wouldn't know how to get rid of them.. I plan on getting a tattoo to cover them tho!
CaptainBatkat
June 11th, 2015 11:44pm
In some ways it's not possible to get rid of self harm scars, people defienes 'getting rid of' in many ways, but instead of trying to hide the, you should maybe try to embrace them, because they are a part of you, and they show people that you have had a hard time, and you have thought you're battles, they are a part of you, and they only show the people that, even through you have been to a hard battle, you also won it with only scars!
LucyCat20
March 12th, 2016 6:24am
love your body as you are,scars have built you to be strong, also there is cream at target helps....
MPuffin
February 4th, 2016 10:27pm
Using Bio Oil is a good way of decreasing the visibility of scars but it is not always possible to get rid of self harm scars as they can be very deep.
LucidDreamer17
March 12th, 2016 11:50pm
Well, sometimes you can't. I tell all my friends that have self harmed they are their battle scars. . They don't mind seeing them because they think of how bad their life was back then, and now when they look at it, they smile because they see how faded they are and how far they have come!
Anonymous
February 5th, 2016 11:13pm
While time is the best way to let it heal, oils and creams can help the process along. If you really need to hide scars quickly, a bit of make up should do the trick.
introvertedanonymous
February 5th, 2016 11:53pm
Try scar reduction cream or something of that sort. Bio-oil is an option that lessens their appearances, but if the scars are very deep, it might not get rid of them altogether.
hayl
March 12th, 2016 5:16am
Cocoa butter is a good one! make sure the scars are well moisturized 24/7. also dont let them get damaged by sunburn or anything, itll prolong the scarring!
Anonymous
April 9th, 2015 5:23am
Alot of patience, scars fade eventually. And if you cant get rid of them with patience then my suggestion is to use make up to cover itbup.
Anonymous
April 5th, 2015 7:01pm
Seek help, and realise that you are not alone. You are better than you think you are, and you deserve better than this.