Scars

When people talk about self-harm scars often come up as one of the risks, but why are they a bad thing? A lot of people only talk about the way they look/cosmetics, which is important to some people but not everyone. People with scars also often face discrimination or uncomfortable questions about their scars.

These are not the only risks though, they can also affect someone physically. Scars can be painful and itchy even after healing, they can be very stiff and can limit a person ability to move or be more likely to get damaged, and since they are not skin and are missing many of the structures skin does have, they are unable to do a lot of the important things skin does, sucha as temprature regulation, feeling, keeping from drying out, etc.

Keloid scars are a type of scar that grows to be larger than the original injury that caused the scar, they can form from any size wound. These scars can be very painful, itchy, and distressing and for some people disabling. They can continue to grow for a very long time and sometimes need medical treatment like surgery to control them. What causes keloid scars is unknown, but they are more common in people with darker skin tones, young people, and people with a family members with keloid scars. Wounds on your abdomen, back, chest, ear, jaw, or shoulder are more likely to become keloid.

Preventing or minimising the amount of scarring left behind from self-harm can reduce the risk of other complications scars can cause. Here are some ways to prevent/minimise scarring…

• Avoid harming your lower legs, upper chest, shoulders, neck, chin, or ears. These areas are more prone to keloid scarring
• The smaller the wound the smaller the scar
• Proper wound care and bandaging
• Using wound closure strips or getting stitches for cuts that need them
• Keeping wounds moist by keeping them covered and using petroleum jelly/Vaseline/Aquaphor
• Getting enough protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, amino acids, and food
• Supplements are a good option if you struggle with food
• Collagen supplements can help as well

Scars can be difficult to get used to having or to accept, especially if they're associated with painful memories. You don't have to like your scars, but accepting them can really help your self-esteem. Changing Faces has a number of online self-help resources for people with visible differences (like scars), including on managing loss of identity and self-esteem.

Don't avoid them

Avoiding looking at your scars can make it more difficult in the long run to accept them. Even if you aren't ready to or don't want to show your scars around other people, spending time with them visible can help you get used to them and become more comfortable with them.

Think of your scars nuetrally or positively

Your scars don't have to be or represent a bad thing, some people like to think of their scars as reminders of things they have overcome or survived. Some people prefer to think of them more neutrally, as just marks on their body from healing. Challenging negative thoughts about your scars by replacing them with these ideas can help you feel more comfortable with your self-harm scars.

Some people draw on their scars to make them something more positive, this can also be helpful as an alternative to self-harm for some people.

Treating scars can make them softer (making it easier to move) and less itchy and painful, as well as less visible. Some treatments can only be used on fully healed scars (not scabs), so remember to check that first. Here are some ways you can treat you’re scars…

• Silicone ointment or tape
• Hydrocolloid dressing
• Massaging with bio-oil, water based non-fragranced cream, emollient creams, rosehip oil, etc.
• Pressure dressings
• Use sunscreen or keep scars covered when outside, scars are especially prone to sunburn
• Talk to a doctor; some treatments for scars are only available by prescription or can only be done by a doctor

Some people choose to cover their scars with clothes, makeup, or tattoos; other people don’t mind their scars and showing them. You don't have to cover your scars if you don't want to but it's totally fine if you do.