Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

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
HelpingHand315
July 1st, 2015 4:15pm
Leting them fade out with time is probably the most well known way of doing it. i know it takes a lot of time, but it's usually the healtiest and sometimes the only way to do it.
becca2000
July 1st, 2015 8:40pm
Bio-oil works quite well - just use it twice a day for around three months and you should see results. If you can't afford that (and I understand as it can be expensive) then any mosturiser or generic brand Bio-oil should be okay. Just keep in mind that nothing will get rid of your scars completely, and you may have to accept them. However, if you are really opposed to them or need to hide them for a certain reason then make-up (liquid and/or powder foundation) should help to cover them up.
SomebodyInACity
July 1st, 2015 8:40pm
It's a simple answer with a difficult path to reach it: Don't self harm. Get help. If you're recovered from that habit, you can maybe get laser scar removal therapy, which will lighten them a bit.
Ametrine
July 2nd, 2015 5:30am
Many self injury scars will fade naturally over time. Products like mederma and cocoa butter can be helpful in visibility reduction as well.
allnaturalHeart67
July 2nd, 2015 6:24pm
There really isn't a way, but there is a vitamin E that will fade. And there is an ointment that will help more
Anonymous
July 2nd, 2015 7:19pm
You could always try and cover them. Try a healing cream, like Sudocream. This will work after a while and will fade away the scars eventually.
ILOVEYOUBB
July 2nd, 2015 10:43pm
For my scars, i mix a little bit of oil and sugar together to make a scrub. And then i rub it on the area of the scar 3 times a week,
Anonymous
July 2nd, 2015 10:57pm
I know that there is a cream you can buy in some stores to get rid of scars in general. That may help?
HoneyStarling
July 3rd, 2015 2:50pm
I've had a lot of luck with Bio oil - and I have heard rose hip oil also works. You can also buy special patches, mainly for keloid scarring, which are expensive but work wonders in making scars flatter and less red. Long sleeve clothing is a pretty common cover up method but you can also consider trying body foundations which are thicker and often water proof. It's sometimes worth seeing a GP they may be able to refer you to a plastic surgeon who can help reduce some kinds of scars, but often when they wont want to cut out a scar because you'll still be left with a scar - but I have heard skin grafts can be an option.
JessThePhangirl
July 3rd, 2015 7:31pm
Well there isnt really a way I guess you could use makeup Foundation is what I use It helps cover up
hopefulPower94
July 4th, 2015 1:50am
There are some scar creams out on the market and I'm sure that some of them will be helpful. I would recommend going on Amazon.com to see what the reviews are.
Ryssasayssmile
July 4th, 2015 8:42am
Coconut oil and cocoa butter works pretty well. Definitely helps fade them. Those are the only two remedies that I've tried and noticed a difference. :)
beautifulHand49
July 4th, 2015 3:27pm
As far as I'm aware, you can't get rid of them entirely, however they can be treated with an anti-scarring cream.
Anonymous
July 4th, 2015 6:02pm
Use olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil can help reduce the appearance of scars. Massage a small amount of 100% extra virgin olive oil into your skin once or twice a day for several weeks or months
Anonymous
July 4th, 2015 7:08pm
They will go away on their own, if you are still self harming than just think of things that make you feel good and happy.
stronger10
July 4th, 2015 11:38pm
Mederma, or other scar creams, can help. Lotion also will help. Sitting in the sun can help to fade scars slowly overtime (but don't get a sunburn to try to fade scars, that will do harm).
sweetDay98
July 5th, 2015 7:38am
Being a victim of self harm at a one point of time in my life, I know how hard it can be to look at the scars day in and day out. The physical pain of the event may have diminished, but the emotional pain keeps resurfacing each time you look at the scars. If the scars aren't too deep, you can rub potato juice on it to reduce the visibility of it. That really helps.. You could also try applying raw milk on the effected area.
hopefulmax
July 5th, 2015 12:12pm
If they are fresh, soak them in salty water (simply add salt in water) for a while. Use some creams and powder. If they're older, get aloe vera and cut the plant, take out the juice and put them on scars for a while.
Anonymous
July 5th, 2015 4:41pm
Most likely, they are not ever going to officially go away. They will fade over time to where they are not as noticeable, but they will probably never be GONE. They are your battle scars, proof that you have lived through your tough times.
peachysunny
July 5th, 2015 8:43pm
lemon juice is helpful to fade colour and exfoliation is also helpful. use oats because they moisturise and exfoliate
PondIsle
July 5th, 2015 8:56pm
I personally have struggled with this myself. I got a tattoo on the outside of my right thigh to cover two that hadn't healed properly. I've heard aloe vera works well, but that's more preventative for scarring than a solution once the scars exist. They make scar creams- not sure how effective they are though....
Anonymous
July 5th, 2015 11:53pm
Scar cream I was told helps... I don't try to get rid of mine. I have accepted them and I know that they do not define me.
Anonymous
July 7th, 2015 7:43pm
Coconut oil!
Tejash
July 8th, 2015 7:20am
Cosmetic surgery, or make-up, is a temporary solution if you wish to get rid of your scars. Thick layers of foundation may just do the trick. There are quite a few herbal home treatments as well, which take a little longer to fade the scars away. Just a gentle question, would you really want to hide them away? Is it from yourself, or from others? You are a brave soul, who goes to battle against everything that affects you, and your scars are proof of your bravery. Flaunt them instead, for they show you that you have endured far worse than whichever situation you have been in, and you have emerged victorious :) it is your choice, ultimately.
JanePond
July 8th, 2015 4:20pm
Try some bio oil. And also some coconut cream and oil and you will notice they start to fade a lot. All you have to do is rub it into the scars after a shower and before bed as well.
Anonymous
July 8th, 2015 5:12pm
Scarring is a different process for everyone and we all heal differently. There is no fast acting or quick method to scar removal. It also depends on how deep and the location of the scar, usually those that are closer to the heart, heal better because they have more blood flow. There are also some types of creams that can help to minimize the appearance of scars, however, if you have a darker complexion these creams can literally remove pigmentation from your skin.
smileyouarebeautiful2
July 8th, 2015 9:14pm
Wearing long sleeved shirts and using Bio oil is amazing to get rid of scars of all types, hope this helps, stay strong.
softRiver52
July 9th, 2015 4:55am
You can use makeup such as foundation, but it is better to naturally heal. Wear sweaters/long sleves
ArcAngel91
July 9th, 2015 1:18pm
Fortunately, they sell a lot of common remedies for various scars, check your local drug store or pharmacy!
EquusZoe
July 9th, 2015 10:44pm
There are several creams and patches to use that are specifically marketed towards helping people get rid of scars! If you're looking for an all natural alternative, there's a lemon juice method and I've heard coconut oil works great!