Hide Self Harm Scars

Self-harm or self-injury is when someone purposefully inflicts physical pain on themselves to cope with emotional or psychological trauma. Most people who self-harm or who have in the past do not want others to stare at their scars, but these scars can be difficult to hide, especially if they are in places like the wrists, thighs, or chest. There are several approaches you can take to hide scars from self-harm.

Steps

Covering Scars with Makeup

1. Choose a thick makeup. There are many brands that formulate their makeup specifically to cover tattoos or discoloration, and these are also the best types to use to try to cover scarring. You may have to find these in specialty stores or online.
   • Look for a brand that has a good variety of shades to choose from. You want to match the shade you select to the skin around your scar, not to the scar itself.
   • Look for a brand that specifically claims to cover or camouflage tattoos or scars; there are several highly rated ones you can search for online or in stores. If you can't find any of these in stores near you, try any "full coverage" or "maximum coverage" foundation or concealer, especially those available in stick form, as they tend to be more covering than liquids.
2. Use a brush to apply. Brushes create the smoothest application and help to blend makeup into crevices.
   • Look for a small, rounded brush that is advertised as a concealer brush.
3. Apply a small amount at first. Using the brush, gently pat a small amount of concealer or foundation across your scars and the surrounding skin. Add another thin layer if one layer is not enough.
   • If you want to, you can set it with translucent pressed or loose powder to help it last longer.
4. Try using a scar camouflaging kit. A kit generally contains several products that are designed to work together to cover scars. These kits can be more expensive than regular makeup, and more time intensive to apply. But if you have an important event like a wedding or job interview, it might be a good investment.
   • Search for "tattoo covering kit" or "scar covering kit" online to find many different options along with user reviews.

Strategically Hiding Scars

1. Wear bracelets to hide scars on your wrists. This can be an easy way to hide relatively small scars, and as an added bonus, wearing lots of bracelets is a big fashion trend right now.
   • Look for cuff style bracelets for the most coverage. There are lots of styles available, from men's leather cuff bracelets to women's engraved silver or gold cuffs. Some stylish brands include Rustic Cuff and Fossil, but you can get original, gorgeous cuffs handmade from the craft website Etsy or even learn to make your own.
2. Wear shirts with long sleeves. This can hide the scars on your upper arms, and depending on the length of the sleeves can even hide scars on your wrist.
   • Try shirts with thumb hole cuffs. This is a trendy look that helps by keeping your sleeve pulled down, so that your wrists are not inadvertently exposed. You can make your own by cutting a hole in the sleeves that are too long for you, or you can purchase them online. Just search "shirt thumb hole" on a retailer website like Amazon.
   • In summertime, look for light, gauzy material like silk or thin cotton. These are breathable to keep you cool. Be aware that if you wear long-sleeved shirts on hot summer days, you might get questions from people who are curious about why. This can also be a red flag to concerned parents.
3. Wear swimming shorts while swimming. If you're a girl with scars on your thighs, a traditional swimsuit will expose them, but you can wear swimming shorts to cover them.
   • If the scars are at the top of your thighs, most board shorts will hide them, and since they are actually made for swimming, you're not likely to get a lot of questions from your friends.
   • Board shorts come in all lengths, so if your scars are lower on your thighs, try longer board shorts or even men's swimming trunks.
4. Try other options for swimwear. If board shorts are not enough to cover your scars while swimming, there are other options for you.
   • You can also wear a rash-guard style swim top to cover scars on your arms while swimming. These come in short- and long-sleeved styles and are available for men and women; long-sleeved rash guard tops can cover scars even on your wrists. If anyone asks, you can say you are just being extra cautious about sun protection.
   • Try doing an internet search for "modest swimsuit" for women's options that cover a lot of skin. Since these are generally sold for religious people (such as Muslim, Mormon, or Orthodox Jewish women), they tend to cover more skin than mainstream swimwear.
5. Wear half-calf socks, knee-highs, or tights. If you have scars on your lower legs and need to hide them, any of these options will work. Using these, you won't need to wear pants every day of the year.
   • There are lots of cute, stylish options for high socks or tights available at big box stores, malls, and online. You can incorporate them into your personal style by choosing fun prints or colors.
   • You can try using waterproof makeup to cover other visible scars while swimming, or use a bandage if all else fails.
6. Choose clothing to hide scars on the chest. Some self harm scars might be across the top of your chest. There are several clothing options to hide them, but be aware that choosing most of these during warmer months might make people suspicious.
   • Try a stylish scarf. There are lots of options for scarves, ranging from gauzy cotton scarves in the warmer months to thick knit scarves in the colder months. You can also try an "infinity scarf" which is a scarf knit in a loop that goes on over your head.
   • Try buttoning your shirt all the way up. This can be stylish and fun, especially if you choose a cool printed oxford-type shirt (think Harry Styles).
   • Try a turtleneck or mock neck shirt. In the winter months, these are great options that will keep you warm and cover your scars.
   • Wear a statement necklace. Girls especially can benefit from the current trend to wear big, clunky necklaces called "statement necklaces." They come in all different colors and styles and are available online, in big box stores, or at department stores. If you're doing an online search, try using the search terms "statement necklace" along with the terms "bib," "fringe," or "chunky."

Considering Tattoos

1. Decide if a tattoo is a good option for you. Tattoos are a popular way for people who no longer self harm to cover the scars permanently without completely eliminating it. You will still be able to feel the ridges of your scars under the tattoo, so it can serve as a reminder of what you've been through and where you are now.
   • A tattoo might be a good choice if you like the look of tattoos, are old enough (18 and up in most places), and you are in a profession where a tattoo will not negatively affect your career.
   • You should wait at least two years after self harming episodes have ended before getting a tattoo. This is because the scars are still healing and fresh scars do not always reliably take ink.
   • A tattoo can be relatively simple if the scars cover a small surface area, but larger affected surfaces (like an entire thigh) will require a large, intricate tattoo, which can be more expensive and painful.
   • Be aware that some very substantial, large scars (from deep wounds) might not take the ink. Talk to an experienced tattoo artist about whether your scars are likely to take the ink.
2. Choose a design. A tattoo is permanent, so it's important to choose something that you want to look at for the rest of your life. Depending on the amount of surface area covered by your scars, you may need a large, intricate design.
   • Many people who tattoo their self-harm scars choose a custom design that represents survival, overcoming, newfound confidence, or another positive perspective on life. This can be a great way to turn something that was once negative into something positive, and reclaim your body.
   • Try searching online for search terms like "tattoos to cover self harm scars." Some ideas include a phoenix, a mythological bird who dies and is reborn from its own ashes; a verse of poetry or other inspiring words like "hope," or "just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, she became a butterfly"; a bird escaping from a cage; or any intricate, beautiful design that you love.
3. Find a reputable tattoo artist. Most people find their tattoo artist by asking someone who has had work done that they admire. If you don't know anyone, feel free to start a conversation with a stranger and compliment them on their art. Most people with tattoos like to know that others find it as gorgeous as they do.
   • Check out potential artists' studios in person, and make sure everything is clean up to date on inspections and relevant certifications (depending on where you live, this will vary). Ask to see a portfolio of pieces the artist has done recently. Find out if the artist has any experience covering scars. If not, ask if they know someone who does; tattoo artists tend to have large networks and want you to get the best work for your needs.

Hiding Temporary Marks

1. If you have small temporary marks on your hands, try writing over them in pen. This looks relatively normal, as you could have written a note to yourself.
   • This works especially well for bite marks, which are generally quite small so can be written over.
2. Use little doodles to cover slightly more large areas.
   • You do not have to be a great artist to do this, try simple designs such as flowers and skulls.
3. For a bruise that could stay there for a few weeks, use temporary tattoos. These will stay for a while, and do not have to be redone every day.
   • Patches of face-glitter within your temporary tattoos may be used to cover up darker and more noticeable marks
4. Try patterns and designs with henna or body paint to temporarily cover marks whilst still looking beautiful.
   • This is a good idea for more formal occasions where you may need to wear a dress and cover up marks on exposed arms and legs
   • Henna designs generally look more fancy than writing or doodling on your hands.

Choosing Not to Hide Your Scars

1. Make the decision to show your scars. Most people who hide their scars are still self-harming, but making the decision to stop hiding your scars can help you gain confidence, be open about your struggles, and even spread awareness that self-harm is a serious condition that affects many people.
2. Start small. You don't have to just start wearing spaghetti straps or shorts that show off your scars to just anyone. You can ease yourself into it by choosing to expose your scars in certain situations, or to certain people you trust at first, with the goal of gaining enough confidence to ditch the makeup and extra clothes for good.
   • Consider showing your scars at home. After school or work, take off the extra clothing or makeup and just be yourself, scars and all. This can be a tough step if your parents or roommates do not know that you have harmed yourself. You might want to start by telling them you harmed yourself.
   • Pick a day to go public. One day a week, don't take any extra steps to hide your scars. Whether it’s a weekday or weekend day is up to you.
3. Practice responding to comments. One reason many people are hesitant to expose their scars to others is for fear of what people might say. It's true, many people might make rude or uncomfortable comments if they see your scars. Knowing how to respond in the moment can help make you feel more at ease. Your response will likely vary depending on who is commenting (is it your boss, a child, your grandmother, a stranger?) and why (are they curious, ignorant, or purposely trying to hurt you.
   • One option is to ignore them completely. Your body is nobody else's business, and you are totally justified in ignoring rude or personal comments, just like you would ignore comments about your body size or facial features.
   • Tell the commenter the truth. If someone asks what your scars are from, you have the option of telling them the truth, but in an appropriately abbreviated form. You may not have the time or desire to tell your whole, personal story, and that's OK (it's really not their business anyway). But you can say, "I cut myself," or "I used to cut myself when I was struggling" and leave it at that. Most people won't press for more details.
   • Tell the commenter to mind his own business. You can do this in a polite or not-so-polite way, depending on how you prefer to respond, who the person is, what their relationship is to you, and whether they were polite to you or not. One polite way to respond would be to say, "I really don't feel comfortable talking about that." A less polite but still effective option is, "That is not your business."
   • Try a sarcastic, humorous, or biting response. If someone is rude in their approach, giving them a taste of their own medicine can help them see how misguided their questions are. Try something like "Do you always ask other people personal questions, or am I just lucky?" or "These scars? I was attacked by a herd of rabid caterpillars." Then roll your eyes and walk away.

Getting Help for Self-Harm

1. Understand why you self-harm. There are a lot of reasons why people self-harm, and most of them have to do with psychological trauma. If you are using self-harm as a way of coping with something else in your life, identifying the real problem can help you find ways to stop.
   • Some people turn to self-harm as a way to cope with current or past abuse. If you are using self-harm to cope with current abuse, talk to a counselor or police officer and get help. You can also read Deal with Domestic Violence for tips on how to deal with abuse.
   • There are lots of other reasons people self-harm, ranging from being bullied and feeling rejected to feelings of low self-esteem, guilt, or numbness. Sometimes, self-harm is linked to drug use, since certain drugs can cause depression and feelings of worthlessness.
2. Tell someone. It is incredibly difficult to tell anyone if you have been hurting yourself. But if you are struggling with self-harm, telling someone can be the first step in recovery.
   • If you're in the United States, call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
   • Talk to your parents or other loved ones. Telling someone you trust can ensure you get the help you need.
   • Talk to your doctor. If you have no one else to talk to, tell your school nurse, doctor, or school counselor. These people can get you a referral to a therapist or psychiatrist for an evaluation.
3. Practice other coping strategies. Most people who self-harm do it as a way to get a quick rush of endorphins, a feel-good chemical that helps to combat issues like depression and anxiety. This can be soothing, distracting, or a way to vent. It is a coping strategy to deal with anything from awful life circumstances to mental illness. Finding other ways to cope can help you overcome.
   • Talk to a therapist. A therapist can help you think of strategies to cope with stress and also to deal with the root cause of your self-harm, such as a traumatic past or bullying from your peers. You can find a therapist by talking to your regular doctor or school counselor and asking for a referral.
   • Exercise. Doing daily aerobic activity like using the elliptical or rowing machine or just going for a run can give you a similar burst of endorphins and is a great way to cope with stress and anxiety.
   • Try eating something with a strong flavor. If you self-harm because you feel disconnected and numb, eating hot peppers or peppermint can help you have the same sensation of being alive without the risk of hurting yourself.
   • Talk to your therapist about trying music or art therapy to help you deal with stress and replace your need for self-harm. Expressing yourself is an important part of recovery.

Warnings

• In the United States, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK if you are having suicidal thoughts.

Related Articles

• Stop Cutting Yourself
• Stop Self Harming
• Cope with Self Injury
• Tell Someone You Self Harm
• Get Rid of Self Harm Scars
• Calm Self Harming Thoughts

Sources and Citations

See also

• Help Someone Who Is Taking Grief‐Induced Risks
• Heal Scars Fast
• Tell if Your Teen Is Cutting
• Stop Self Harming
• Stop Cutting Yourself
• Get Rid of Scars
• Get Rid of Keloids
• Remove Scars on Legs
• Get Rid of Stretch Marks Fast
• Get Rid of a Cut on Your Face

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