This is quite hard for me to post... so please be gentle.

SunshineButterfly

I would also like to add that I am training to become a pyschotherapist (or counsellor) and will be fully qualified in 2 years. So part of me knows that having my scars proudly on show may help many others in the future who are going through or have experience self-injury issues. And they may also find me more approachable because it is obvious I have been through that.
And part of me wonders if to cover them with a tattoo and to then counsel someone who has been through that I may then be hypocritical to expect them to be able to deal with their scars?

barbiedoll

I wouldn't think about getting a large tattoo to cover your scars, you will simply have a similar problem in 20 years when you realise that the tattoo which may look lovely on you now, may not look quite so good when you are much older!

Please don't worry about your scars, they are part of who you are and a reminder of things that have made you stronger and the person you are now. There are products which you may be able to get to help with the scarring, Bio oil is supposed to be good for scars and there are plaster-type dressings which you may be able to get on prescription if you have a sympathetic GP (you can buy them but I think they are quite expensive...cheaper than tattoo removal though! )

If any health "professional" has made disparaging comments about your scars, I would strongly suggest that you complain about them to your local health authority. I see many women with scarring, if I made any sarcastic comments or implied that they were "silly", I would, at the very least, expect to be disciplined for it. You don't have to put up with that from anyone, let alone health care workers who should know better.

Always_Alone

I have huge awful keloid scars on both my shoulders which prevents me from wearing vest tops and makes me very paranoid all the time about people pointing and looking (which I have seen them do) so I empathise with you.

Unfortunately there's nothing I can do for mine but would maybe suggest if you're worried about interviews and stuff, wear long sleeves. If you're good enough for a job, old scars shouldn't make a difference.

The scars are part of you, what you went through and how you came out the other side, don't be ashamed of them, they helped make you who you are

Tiglath

SunshineButterfly wrote: »

The professionals that have judged me are dentists, midwives, nurses. People that I wouldn't not expect to judge me, but have.

Just goes to show there are some idiots out there. I can guarantee that you haven't crossed their minds since the day you saw them, so don't let their opinions continue to affect you. I have cut scars on one wrist and I don't even think of them now, 30 years later.

mrcow

Really, don't get a tattoo.

Your scars are part of who you are. They are your battle scars. We all have them in one form or another. Don't be ashamed of who you are. And don't try and hide yourself behind an ugly tattoo.

meritaten

I would think that getting a tattoo would bring MORE attention to your arms. and to my mind a tattoo is not something to get to hide things - rather, you should get a tatt because you love them and want to show them.

There are really good ranges of camouflage make up you can use to cover the scars when you cant cover them with clothes. they are often used by people with facial scars but work on bodies too.

I worked as a reiki therapist and I have seen self-harming scars in clients, I never felt I had to comment on them, especially if they were old - recent ones, I may have asked about a clients mental state but not referred directly to the scarring. I do not understand why a medical doctor (who would certainly recognised 'old' scarring) feel they have to ask about them.
just give them the 'ice cold stare' and don't answer but refer to the present condition they are being consulted about!

any_name_will_suffice

I have them too, on both arms, and I also worry about how noticable they are.

I generally cover them up at work (and I work in mental health services but with staff rather than service users) and only have my arms bare when I am with people I trust.

I have never received any comments from health professionals, although I am super paranoid when I go for things like blood tests, I am sorry you have come across such judgemental people.

I was seriously paranoid when I was a bridesmaid last year, not about the bride noticing them, as she is my best friend, but others, and I was worried about them showing on photos.

Generally, I see them as part of who I am, and probably wouldn't have a tattoo over them (not that I am against tattoos, I have several). For me, they are part of the journey to where i am now.

SunshineButterfly

Meritaten I don't suppose you know the specific name of the make up do you? I'm not comfortable seeing my gp and asking to be referred to Red Cross again, but I would be happy to buy some online or from eBay maybe?

pearl123

I have a few scars on my face from a violent ex partner. I don't do anything with the scars to cover them. (I could get the botoxed to fill them out.) When I look at these scars they are a reminder to me not to go down that avenue again.
I suggest you learn to live with your scars. I've had mine over 18 years and they do fade more and more.
In my opinion a tattoo and scars would look awful.

SunshineButterfly

Any name I am the same when it comes to blood pressure checks, blood tests. I always try to ensure I offer my non-scarred arm.

It seems a little easier now I have met a decent bloke who has no issues with my scars and tells me how beautiful I am.
But I do still struggle. I have a wedding to go to next weekend and have a lovely black dress, yet I am considering hiding the lovely detail with a cardigan and boiling to death to ensure no one sees my scars.