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

Goldiegirl

To be honest, I don't really notice scars on people, I just don't look for them, so I don't see them.

I don't look for tattoos either, but I do see them, because, to me they are more noticeable than scars.

I feel having a tattoo would just draw more attention that area of your body

Torry_Quine

Molly41 wrote: »

Amanda Redman?

Good example, she has never felt the need to cover up her scars.

mountainofdebt

Molly41 wrote: »

Amanda Redman?

Yeap that's her.

As I said I have no idea how she came about the scarring but I always admire her for basically sticking two fingers up and saying saying I'm wearing what I want to wear so there.

Torry_Quine

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Yeap that's her.

As I said I have no idea how she came about the scarring but I always admire her for basically sticking two fingers up and saying saying I'm wearing what I want to wear so there.

She was burnt in a fire as a child.

Netwizard

burnoutbabe wrote: »

If i saw old scars I am very likely to just think it was an ancient accident you had gone through and think no more about it.

Tattoos, I'd think very differently. Certain jobs would be ruled out for you. best to just leave them as white scars.

This is my opinion also

Calien27

Don't get a tattoo!

I have a history of self harm (sh free for almost 4 years now) and have white, raised scars on my arm.

For a while I was really paranoid about them and what people would think if they saw them. Now, I've learned to deal with it, they're there, they're not going away and they are part of who I am. If people judge me (or you) because of them, that's their problem, not ours.

Don't ever be ashamed or embarrassed, you survived what you were going through and came out the other side, be proud.

System

I would never judge anyone. s it happens i was thinking about this very subject today, i self harmed for about 10 years and have some very noticable scars on my arms and legs. For the most part i try to ignore them, but with it being summer and so hot, i've found myself noticing them more and getting paranoid that others have noticed them.

Personally i don't see anything wrong with tattoos if you wanted them. I personally want some myself (not on my arms though). I'm lucky in that nobody has ever really said anything to my face, if they do i usually just mumble bout being attacked by cats or lawnmowers that shuts them up That said i can understand some employers (wrongly) have opinions about tattoos (even though they don't seem to feel the same about scars).

Its easy for people to say "learn to live with them" but sometimes i don't particularly want a constant reminder of my !!!!!! past (yes i should have considered this at the time but i was ill and didnt plan on still being here so it was a moot point) also hiding them is pain in the proverbial !!!! around certain people (my family-as i dont want them to know how bad it was-they havent seen my arms in a good few years )

GM11

a tattoo dosnt do well on scar tissue the ink dosnt tend to take well, as for judging you, well yes i would notice if you caqme for a job and your arms showed, i look at peoples arms in interviews looking for signs of a drug habit recent or past........so as an employer what do i do? well i see it like this. I have a manager of one of my shops who was honest and fessed up to self harming 10+ years ago and has very very bad scareing, i hired her because she showed courage and determination and a ability to deal with her problems, have i ever regretted hiring her? NEVER not once have i regretted giving her the job, she has been the best member of staff ever! now as far as drugs go i have a ex addict working for us who has been clean 5 years, he is pretty good but lacks concentration, he got the job because again he has shown tanicity in kicking a difficult addiction and determination, recent users with fresh marks i am affraid i turn away

cef66

When I see someone with scars I just assume something has happened to them but they've got through it. I don't spend time thinking about what has happened to them. I certainly wouldn't judge them or think badly of them. I might fleetingly feel sorry for them but that's all. Probably I wouldn't notice at all. I'm not keen on tattoos, especially large ones, and sometimes see them and think what a shame someone has chosen to put that on there body and that they'll regret when they are older. ( Sorry to people with tattoos, obviously its up to you what you do with your body ! ) Be proud that you've got through a difficult period in your life.

Saint_Chris

I'm another one don't get a tattoo, I got my 1st 30 years ago, not that big, but I do wish i'd never done it.

Scars are different they are a part of you for whatever reason, but it would not stop me from employing anyone, and I would certainly never ask about them.
OT, but I have a relative, who tried to kill himself, he cut his wrists and throat, he survived, but was left with 3 horrible scars.
And he felt that all 3 were connected, so he got tattoos on his wrists, to hide the scars. The one on his neck he tells people that he has them because of a thyroid problem he had when he was young.

He puts Bio oil on his neck every day, and he says it has helped to heal the scar.