Getting rid of arm scars from self harm

what can be done 2 cover self harm scars that have been years ago?

i self harm about 10 yrs ago and left a rite mess on my 2 arms, there is alot of scars and there white and some r flat, is there anything that could take them away? i hate them.

ive tryed every cream and oil and the make up crem but stil doesnt hide them, is there any thing that can take them away? i dont mind having one big scar down the arm if i had 2 have a op, jst hate that they showed that i used self harm,thanks

Hi ladies and gents,

The question of how to get rid of scarring from self harm comes up quite frequently on RealSelf because so many people have struggled with cutting in their youth and sometimes even adulthood.

First off, remember you are not alone and have no reason to be ashamed - we've all done something we wish we could take back.

Second, know that although there is no way to completely remove a scar, there is hope for reducing your scars.

Laser treatment, dermal filler injection, and surgical scar revision are scar treatment options commonly recommended by doctors on RealSelf. For keloid and hypertrophic scarring, sometimes surgery or steroid injections are also recommended.

What will work best for you depends both on the unique characteristics of your scars and your skin, so see a plastic surgeon, dermatologic surgeon or other aesthetic medicine specialist for an in-person consultation to find out the best solution for you.

Here's some related discussions that might also help:

How to reduce cutting scars from self harm?

How to remove scars?

What's the best scar removal treatment for old scars?

What can be done for white scars?

What is the best keloid treatment?

Best hypertrophic scar treatment?

What laser treatments are there for scars?

 

Good luck, and let me know if I can be of any additional help!

April

can old scars from cutting be removed or made less noticeable? As a teenager, I self-mutilated on my arms (I am in my mid-20's now). I now have thin, raised scars that are the same pigment as my skin tone.

I've tried using Mederma off and on for about 6 months and haven't seen much improvement. Thankfully, I don't have lasting psychological issues, but I feel uncomfortable when people notice the scars and would love them to be less visible.

I cut myself 7 years ago, and there is white lines on my wrist. Can they be removed?

I use to cut myself but i stopped how do i remove the scars or cover them up? i dont want the scars to remain forever.

I have white scars that were self inflicted about 6 years ago. I know that they are rather old, and I shouldn't have high expectations about treating them. I am mostly looking to not have them appear as self inflicted, because they are in straight consecutive lines on my forearm and thigh. They are not very raised or extremely white, just very obvious as to how they were done. What is a good treatment option for me? I've tried creams and oils, and I'm ready to move on to the next step.

i still do it but im trying to stop and i want to fix my arms

While I have no scarring from self-harm myself, I do have surgical scars. The best way to reduce any scar is with laser treatment, dermal filler injection, and surgical scar revisions. These will reduce the scars to the point of often being barely visible, but for some people some visibility remains.


My rule of thumb is that most oils and lotions barely work (somewhere between a little bit of fading and no effect at all) and are the product of people who want to exploit people who are desperate to get rid of their scars.


If you like tattoos, a great alternative is covering the area with decorative tattoos. This is for example practised to hide a large surgical scar such as that of a tummy tuck, with for example a pattern of pretty flowers or tribal curves. Do know that just like scars, tattoos are permanent and are only an option if you are absolutely sure you will like them. But pretty tattoos can be a way to turn a bad scar into a pretty work of art and may symbolise moving on with a new start.

Hi
Wow is it painful to see others in this situation. I have very similar longer scars on my arm as you from self harming 18 years ago. For years they where raised and itchy. I found silicone strips really helped within days to flatten and turn the scars white also stopped the tingling sensation. The cheapest and best has from an English company sold on ebay, brilliant and cheap only $20 or so, apply with surgical tape at night or whenever you like, drastic improvement.
After much research I have found Fraxel laser treatment I am having the 1st of three sessions tomorrow, fingers crossed. It is pricey at $700 Aus a session but the results look good and god if I can wear short sleeves again I will be the happiest person alive after having to cover my arms for 18 years. Thankfully over that period of my life, if I only knew then how hard this shame is I would never have done it. Peace to you all living with this. I have before photos I am happy to share and hopefully in three months some good after photos, the sessions are a month apart.
I tried all the creams and bio oil they made it worse, silicone is amazing for scars, do it for a few months then look in to Fraxel.

i am in the cosmetic field, i am giving advice based on experience not trial , but in a professional hand it should work and get great success, there is a branch dermatology called cosmetic tattooing which deals with scars like burns and vitiligo and accidents , they use skin colored tattoo ( beige / brown) shades) to cover an area , if used in the right combination to cover the affected skin color it should give excellent result , it may need more than one application and finding a perfect center is difficult , but its worth a try .