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

Lou67

Hope you can find something to disguise them, and well done for giving up the ciggies and I am glad you found a good man!

Just wanted to post to say I hope you have a lovely future xxx

krlyr

http://dragonflyink.com/custom-tattooing/scar-tattooing/frequently-asked-questions-about-tattooing-over-scars/

The poster who mentioned camoflauge makeup raised a good point. Could be well worth looking into, even if it's just for big events like the wedding, first job interviews, etc. to put your mind at ease. I saw it done on an Embarrassing Bodies episode and it made a huge difference

SunshineButterfly

Thank you Lou that means a lot. It's taken me over 10 years of various battles to get to a stage where I have confidence and feel quite happy just being myself. But sometimes all that work is undone by some random stranger who does not think before speaking. And then I spend weeks or months undoing the damage of those comments to get back to where I was.

geoffky

Tell people you worked as a baker once..
Because bakers have terrible scars on their arms from the burns off the trays from the ovens..
I seen some amazing scarred arms when i worked with some on the cruise ships.

JoW123

I have a very close friend who has similar scars from self-harming. I know he worries that people will judge, but I don't think its obvious what they are. It may be more obvious to people who have also self-harmed because they would recognise them. I think its very rude of people to ask you about them, but then people don't always realise the impact of their questions on others.
I wouldn't get a tattoo over them because that would possibly draw more attention to them.

Lou67

SunshineButterfly wrote: »

Thank you Lou that means a lot. It's taken me over 10 years of various battles to get to a stage where I have confidence and feel quite happy just being myself. But sometimes all that work is undone by some random stranger who does not think before speaking. And then I spend weeks or months undoing the damage of those comments to get back to where I was.

You're welcome Just remember 'those who matter do not mind, and those who mind, do not matter..' In other words, to hell with people who mean nothing to you. The ones who love you will love you for who you are.

marisco_2

What kind of professional judges and mocks someone, by making derogatory comments to them, when they see they have scars on their body? People can sustain marks and scars for all kinds of reasons.

Did these so called pros know what had caused your scars? If they did then shame on them for admonishing and criticising you. Simply by applying some common sense most people would appreciate, that you don't do that to anyone who has suffered as you did in the past. That approach could so easily totally knock a persons confidence, and in a worst case scenario set off another detrimental pattern of harm.

None of us really know what a person has experienced or gone through in their lives, unless we take the time and make the effort, to get to know them and understand them. People who choose to judge you, knock you down and who show no empathy or compassion are not worth your time or attention. If it makes you happy to get a tattoo then go for it. Don't do it to please others though.

justme111

We all can speak without realising how badly it can affect people , sure if they knew how you felt about it they would have regretted saying whatever they did. Your gp may not say anything but you still have an option of private plastic surgery, now or later. My body has countless number is scars (25 +) , admittedly only one tiny one from a cigarrette butt due to self harm but that one is unnoticeable, others due to accidents /illnesses. I wear them proud . I guess it helps that I am quite fit and like the way my body looks , I wear them as a cutie mark

thorsoak

I think that Shakespeare was the first person to allude to scars as battle honours - and that is the way that I view them. My mum told me when I was bothered about my stretch marks after my pregnancies - be proud - there are an awful lot of women who would give anything to boast such scars!

Your scars are an acknowledgement that you have fought battles with your own demons - and have conquered them. Be proud of them! Especially in the profession that you are entering, they show affinity with those you would be counselling. {hugs}}

meritaten

SunshineButterfly wrote: »

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?

I think it was the range by the red cross I was thinking of - I used it some years ago when I had really bad skin discolouration. it was temporary (the skin prob) so I am not sure what the name was.

have you tried using the 'mineral' make up?
or google camouflage make up. ordinary cosmetics are not good enough to cover up scarring usually but I have heard people say that the mineral range is very good.