I have major scars from cutting my arms about 5 years ago. What can I do to cover them or get rid of them?

Question

I'm really embarrassed of the scars. I always have to wear long sleeves. It brings me to tears every time I see my arms. What can I do?

Answer 1

hey sweetie im sorry that you have scars i have them too. from the same thing you may want to try a tattoo or just say hell with it thats what i do if you ever want to talk im here for you sometimes it helps to talk to someone you dont know and has the same problem as you. if you wat get back to me and i will give you another e-mail address for you to get in touch with me take care everything will be ok i promise you just trust me on this one

Answer 2

Try Mederma or another scar lightening cream. It didn't help me too much though, but I hope it works better for you. I have many scars from numerous operations on my right foot and ankle. I don't want to cover them up with make up everyday, so I use self tanning lotion. I have found (for me) it decreases their appearance dramatically and I have an awesome tan.

Perhaps you could try wearing some of the cool, pretty bracelets that are such the rage now to cover them up? If that isn't your thing, then try to dress to take the focus off your arms. Wear great jewelry, cool shoes or an awesome headwrap to pull other peoples' focus to a part of your body you have confidenc in and are proud of!

Don't be too self-conscious about your scars. I am about mine sometimes, but try not to be. When I get down about mine I think of it like this: rarely do I pay attention to the scars others have, so they probably aren't paying too much attention to mine.The scars are part of your past and you are better now (I hope!) and that is the important part. We are all imperfect in someway, some of our scars are physical, others are emotional. If anyone asks you about them, be honest and I guarantee they will be happy for and proud of you for getting better and working through your issues.

Answer 3

Maybe this isn't what you had in mind, but it's my experience.

I have some pretty hard core scars on my legs from previous cutting, and for a couple years I wouldn't wear anything less than pants or a full-length skirt.

Eventually, I came to accept them as a part of me, and as a sign of my journey in life. I wear whatever I want now, and most people don't ask questions. I feel much better with myself. People really don't judge me, because people mostly get their impressions of you based on what YOU put out. I put out that I am proud of myself for conquering my demons, and so that's what people think of me.

Of course, you have any number of options. Scar removal creams, make-up like Dermablend, tattooing over it, etc. But for me, the course of self-acceptance did more than any of those things could have.

Answer 4

I would not go with a tattoo because i got a tattoo to cover up a scar from a car wreck i was in and it hurt more going over my scar than my other tattoos did but i my cousin use to cut and she use "scar fade and erase" by acne free and it really helped. it also took like 3x as long for my tattoo to heal that was over the top of my scar.

Answer 5

Yeah, you could do something like roses or flowers wrapped like a vine around your arm and just use pastel/lighter colors no blood red roses or hunter green leaves. I was a cutter too (I am a guy) and have the same issues. However, since I am a social worker, there is no way in healthcare field I can get anything tattoo wise to cover them and keep employment in my field. Too many school loans that are too expensive to just quit a great job I worked for 7yrs to get for some ink.

Answer 6

I have cutting scars and some pretty bad burn scars on my arms and wrists from when i was a younger teenager and was a bit unstable, and what i'd honestly say is that once you come to terms with the reasons you cut yourself and move past them, you can accept the scars as part of yourself and your journey through life into adulthood. They are part of your life and a reminder of what you've gone through to get to the point where you are today. With time they will fade and get less noticible, even the really bad ones, and just like any other scars from anything not intentional, they are just reminders of points in your life and things that have happened to you. Also, i can tell you that if you are very light skinned, getting sun will make the scars stand out for a little bit but then as you tan a majority of the scars will fade into your skin more. I can tell a great difference from the scars on the top of my arms (where i get sun) and the scars on the back of my arms (where they are not exposed to much sun). The scars that are exposed to the sun fade better and stand out less than the ones on the bottoms of my arms. I even have a friend who use to cut herself who now tans and she says that the scars have become less noticible (and i agree). Also, i'd say that not many people think of this, and a lot of them see it as barbaric, but if you really want to cover them up, i'd suggest branding over getting tattooes, atleast on your arms or inner thighs or other places where most people cut themselves. It does hurt worse than tattooes, but it can be done in several different designs like tattoos (anything from simple letters or designs to intricate knotwork, flowers, etc). After healing, it looks like a scar, but you can take those scars you regret and turn them into some that you're proud of having as art on your skin. Scarification is also in the same field as branding, but instead of burning the design into the skin, they cut it into the skin (this also can be something very plain and simple or something very detailed and fancy). I personally have never had it done, but know quite a bit about it from research, etc. If you're looking into tattooes to cover the scars, i'd look into branding and scarification too. Just like tattooes, some of the work is absolutely beautiful and a lot of the time the scar comes out looking much less harsh than ink on your skin.

Answer 7

It would be a lot better if I knew what they looked like, but,
I have tatted on and over scars before. If you look at them,
try to imagine what each one could be...or maybe even all
together.
Example, I did one where the guy had no idea what to do,
to me, the scar looked like the body of a frog leaping. I sketched it out held it up to his arm and he flipped.......of course another plus was that his daughter loved frogs, .....]
but, anyway, it's an idea.
Just see if they remind you of anything.....
If you would like, it might be easier if you could email pics to
me of the scars.

Answer 8

Hello,
I too have scars on my arms. I have always lied about it; knowing no one believed me but it made me feel better for that brief painful moment of producing an answer for "what happened to your arms"? I was looking for scar remedies and came across your post. I was wondering if you have received any help if you could pass it on to me. [e-mail]
Thank you and take care

Answer 9

I have the same problem though I think they make a scar fading cream now. I have seen commercials, but don't remember the name of the product.

Answer 10

Get an Aloe Vera plant and lather the scars at night with the "goo" in the "leaves"