self injury and scars, who's got them bad?

Question

I quit cutting a few years ago, I did it in my teens. I've got hundreds of scars all over my arms and legs. Most people I know that used to do this have not nearly as many scars and some have just tiny scars that will fade. It's really rather lonely knowing I'll be all scarred up for the rest of my life and it's the summer and not being able to wear tshirts sucks!!! I know, I could go out attention seeking (as that's what I would get), but come on.

My husband spent time in the psych. ward as a teen and saw quite a few people with scars and cuts, he says none even came close to me. WHAT THE HELL!

Answer 1

I'm in a similar situation. I quit cutting two years ago, but I had been doing it for around eight years and it got progressively worse (e.g., I needed to do it more and deeper) as I got older, so I have a lot of scars. The ones on my legs and inner forearms especially are still pretty dark, and many of them have that raised consistency from scar tissue because they should have been stitched, but weren't.

It's definitely hard for me to see people in group therapy who cut for as long or longer and only have tiny scars, or scars in places normally covered by clothing, and know that I'm going to have obvious scars (and lots of them) for the rest of my life. I've done a lot of research into scar removal and such, and here's some of the things I've read about/tried:

1. Dermablend. This is a type of heavy-duty makeup designed to cover birthmarks, etc. I use this stuff all the time, and it's really effective because it's meant to cover up very dark discolorations. It's also waterproof (great in the summer, for swimming and such). It's kind of expensive, but worth it to wear shorts & T-shirts without all the questions! Check out http://www.dermablend.com.

2. Scar-reducing products. Silicone products (like ReJuveness) and polyurethane-based products (e.g., Curad's ScarTherapy) are supposed to be somewhat successful at reducing even older scars, including keloids. In my experience, they will flatten keloid scars quite a bit, but they don't help much with scars that are LIGHTER in color than your natural skin tone.

3. I think laser treatments were mentioned earlier. I haven't heard any good reviews from friends who have tried this-- they claim it's too expensive for what little results they did see. If nothing else works, it's an option, but approach with caution.

4. Go natural, and deal. I try to come up with responses ahead of time, if I think people might ask questions. If I don't want to talk about it, I'll usually just say that, and most people with any courtesy will leave it alone. If they persist, repeating myself a little more forcefully almost always does the trick. As far as kids asking, I get a little more creative-- I have a cat, so she's my tried-and-true excuse, especially for scars on my arms.

In any case, you shouldn't feel like you "have" to cover up for someone else's comfort. If it's for your own comfort, you might find some of the scar-reducing or masking products very helpful. Best of luck, and enjoy the summer sunshine! :)

Answer 2

I've just come to accept it.

I have deep, permanent scars on my legs. They're fading to a shade that's close to my skin tone, but they still show pretty well. This skin is a different consistency, and they are slightly raised.

I wear shorts, skirts, and bathing suits like anyone else. I wear my scars proudly as a sign of what I can come through. And if anyone has a problem with that, I can tell them where to shove it.

Answer 3

Hello I am Mike and I have been cutting myself and burning since I was 14. I was sexually abused at age 9 and 10. I have scars all over my body and I just had 22 of them covered by one big sleeve like tattoo!!!

Also my 1 year anniversary just came up with me not cutting and what did I do? Waited two whole days and cut again!!! Now I found out I am also right handed now and cut my left arm this time and I have 21 new Scars now!!! 3 of them are bad, the others just superficial, but still I came so far and stuff and messed it all up because I couldnt handle the stress anymore!!!

Life is but once, but it sure if tough buddy!!! I believe my scars are a map of my whole life and all my victories over suicide!!! My town here is very small and only has about 9000 people in it and eveyone knows I cut myself and stuff already and have burned myself too so who cares really, let them live their own lives and get their DUI's and stuff and arrested for drugs and let me cut myself and get on with my life!!!

Really someone else said it here too, who cares. Only worry about the one you have to look at in the mirror everyday thats all and put yourself 1st in life!!! If you ever want to cover some of them up, talk to a good tattoo artist, he covered up 22 of my older ones because they were not fading and were turning purple and were puffed out and stuff and he did an amazing job too buddy, but I went and screwed all that up!!!

Oh well the clock keeps on ticking, and the earth keeps on a spinning bud!!! You be good and you cant hide them forever buddy, live your life thats all!!! No more, no less, be YOU!!!

Luv Ya Bud
Mikey
Owner/EOM

Answer 4

I am trying to stop cutting. I have many scars. I don't hate them, but I don't like them either. I wear my short sleeves and just don't care.

Answer 5

i know how you feel. this summer i have decided to be brave and show them. Try exfoliating gently with a loofah sponge and some soap though (and moisturise afterwards), it does help to fade them a bit by rubbing old layers of skin off. Good luck xx

Answer 6

i got alot of scars and they are goign away i out vitamin e before i go to bed but u have to buy the pills of vitamine E and its like a gel capsule and u brake it and put it on ur scars and they will go away in the long run but it may take a while

Answer 7

right up there with ya.i've been cutting/burning 20 + years.i hate summer.anyway your not alone on this one.take care.:"

Answer 8

I saw plenty of documentaries and scars can be removed with beauty surgery, laser treatments.