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

System

If I were you, i'd to the same as what I do to every part of my body that I don't like... and that's cover it up.

I don't like my arms so I wear long sleeves.

I don't like my legs so theres no way i'd wear a dress with no tights or stockings.

I don't have a waist (unfortunately I get that from my Mum) so I wouldn't dream of wearing anything that draws attention to it.

When the scar on my neck was healing and raised I wore a scarf or polo necked jumpers to cover it. As it got better I bought a gold chain exactly at the length needed to cover my scar. You can hardly see it now and don't feel the need to hide it.

I wouldn't have a tattoo though.

Personality over looks every time!:)

RAS

Hi

I do not have scars on my arms but a substantial one from surgery on my leg. I know some people who would not let others see it but am happy to wear shorts with it. However, I also have more recent red veins and ...........:rotfl: Suppose I will eventually get used to them where as I was always proud of the "ladder in my tights".

On a practical note, have you consider a very floaty thin cover in either black or white? All you need to do is to get some voile thickness fabric between the observer and your scars and the vast majority of people will be oblivious.

SunshineButterfly

Thanks everyone. I am feeling quite teary over it all this evening. I went to Boots and Superdrug and got some Dermablend thinking it would cover them almost completely. It covers them slightly and they are still quite visible. So after wasting an hour putting it on I realised it didn't even look that much different.

I guess because I have been more open about it and talking about it on here, I now seem to be noticing every little scar even more so now. And to be honest today I feel really depressed and sad over it. When I think of being 16 when I caused the cuts and scratches it makes me cry at how stupid I was to do that without even considering the consequences for the rest of my life.

I think I will be going for an early night and a cry tonight and hopefully tomorrow I will be able to move on and get my confidence back.

Pechow

From what I can see of your avatar, I would maybe look twice to make sure my eyes weren't playing up again, then think that it's great that you'd managed to overcome the issues that caused you to self-harm and would envy your confidence for openly displaying them.

Toto

Remember that you will notice the scars much more than other people. Firstly you know they are there, you are also looking at them from a much closer proximity than most other people will be. Use the dermablend quite thickly, don't rub, gently pat it onto the scar and blend the edges.

harrys_nan

Pechow wrote: »

From what I can see of your avatar, I would maybe look twice to make sure my eyes weren't playing up again, then think that it's great that you'd managed to overcome the issues that caused you to self-harm and would envy your confidence for openly displaying them.

^^^^ this is so true, xx

System

Pechow wrote: »

From what I can see of your avatar, I would maybe look twice to make sure my eyes weren't playing up again

I agree, those scars aren't half as bad as I thought they would be.

[Deleted User]

I came across this the other day

'Success if the result of good judgement. Good judgement is the result of experience. Experience is the result of bad judgement'.

In my early 20's I almost killed myself after a long period of self harming through a chronic condition I have. I saw that statement.., and thought oh dear, I should have mountains of good sense by now lololol. I hope it makes you laugh.

When I was training as a nurse, I did come across one or two that viewed suicide as a bit of time wasting, self indulgent thing. I always pointed out that to do something like that someone either wants to kill themselves, or is prepared to risk themselves to 'get attention' all of which means they need our attention as much as the next person. Fortunately, that view WAS rare, and personally I'd do some work on why these unimportant people are affecting you so much. You have come so far, do some work on this and hold your head up high. You should be.

Rev

I used to self harm. I think self harm scars are very noticeable as self harm scars.

I honestly think you need to do whatever makes you feel comfortable with them. If you want to cover them with a tattoo then forget what others think. Do it for yourself. Then have something you love on your arm ad opposed to scars you hate.

If you're just thinking of the tattoo to cover them but aren't 100% into it then speak to your doctor. See if a plastic surgeon can do anything.

I got tattoos over some of mine. But not to cover the scars. To stop me self harming again. I love my tattoos and wouldn't want to ruin them. Might sound silly to some but it works for me. And if you're in enough pain to self harm then I think anything that has a positive effect on stopping that happening is a good thing.

chalkiesalem_2

They prob won't be able to cover the scars but if you wanted something delicate and scrolly they could work round them. It does not hide the scars but it does draw your eyes away from them. I have some small script writing on my lower arm to disguise some scars . I have had nothing but complements for the tattoo