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NSHN Forum Support & On Topic Forums. Some additional boards are viewable to members only => Survivor Room => Topic started by: Louis30july on December 14, 2011, 07:02:02 PM

Title: Scars?
Post by: Louis30july on December 14, 2011, 07:02:02 PM
Hi, im new here   :hellokitty:

I was just wondering, to people who self harm, how do you manage your scars?

xxx
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: Nightowl on December 14, 2011, 07:08:30 PM
I cover up when with friends but if I'm on holiday alone or just out and about on my own I will sometimes wear short sleeves as I find people on the whole don't notice or at least don't ask questions.

For a long time I wouldn't go swimming because of scars but again find once I'm in the water nobody notices.
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: findingmyway on December 14, 2011, 07:14:23 PM
Firstly, welcome to the forum :hug1:

I keep my scars covered at all times both out and about and at home. Im also using a cream called Haelan Cream which is a mild steroidal cream to flatten and fade my scars x
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: unknown_member on December 14, 2011, 07:20:19 PM
Welcome to the forum  :welcome:

I used silicon patches on my scars which worked wonders on the raised red ones.. apart from that i sometimes use foundation to cover some of them and sometimes i just don't care and leave them alone xxxx
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: Broken Wings on December 14, 2011, 07:21:22 PM
Hi, I keep mine covered at all times I never swim or wear short sleves even when at home,to me there something that needs to be hidden. Hope that helps x
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: Louis30july on December 14, 2011, 07:25:26 PM
Thankyou!

Do any of you show or have your scars exposed in front of a certain person?

I dont feel I can with my parents, they stare and almost count to see if there are any new ones, its horrible so I keep them covered. However, when with my partner I feel comfortable and am able to show them without the staring, interogation etc.

Fast Aid advance scar gel is a very good gel i have found helpful aswell, just a little tip for you  :thumbsup:

xxx
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: brokenblackrose on December 14, 2011, 09:01:03 PM
I don't hide mine anymore, except when I worked. Once people found out I stopped hiding them. And I find people don't ask about them.
Hiding behnd long sleeves and trousers made me feel so low becuase I just wanted to try and look pretty. I have come to realise they are a part of me now.
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: howling on December 14, 2011, 09:30:52 PM
hya and welcome. i dont hide my scars from close friends and family. even my 13 yr old has a vague understanding of what is happening to me. i think the only reason i keep them covered is the shame and judgement i feel  from people who do not understand this illness. as you have read by other peoples posts it is purely a personal thing. you have to do what you feel comfortable with. for myself, it lifted a huge burden to be able to say yes i self harm, not because i want to but because i cant help it, and i want your understanding and not keep it secret. xx
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: FarmerDec on December 16, 2011, 03:13:13 AM
I hide mine at college and around pretty much everybody I know. But I have a select few people who I can roll my sleeves up around and have no implication because most of them have had a history of the exact same problem. As for fading, I leave mine as a reminder to me, that I have gotten rid of a trouble in my life, each scars means something, much like a tattoo.
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: lpoolluvly on December 16, 2011, 05:23:13 PM
IE well I never wear short tops ever am pretty much embarrassed about my scars my I keep them covered from my parents but dint mind my close Friend or partner see in them my kids think I fell through a table so they dint mind my scars  :holdingflower:
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: Osiris on December 16, 2011, 08:26:03 PM
I keep mine covered and try to forget they're there. The only time they'll ever be seen by anyone is if I'm being treated in hospital.
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: Bethy on December 16, 2011, 09:36:57 PM
Welcome to the forum :)

As of this year I've been wearing 3/4 sleeves around my mum and sisters, and one of my housemates. I go swimming weekly too and in front of strangers I actually find it fine. I think the more used to it I'm getting, the more I'm realising that people actually don't think it's a big deal. Most don't even notice (although I never, ever thought I'd say that! And mine are faded).
Title: Re: Scars?
Post by: catapult on December 18, 2011, 06:06:43 PM
Someone already said it, but its definitley personal to yourself how you deal with them. Thankfully, alot of mine have faded, and are barely noticable unless pointed out. I know where they all are of course, and it only comes to mind if somone is right next to me, i wonder if they can see. I do have some that are blatantly obvious, i have alot of tattoos, i cut thru one once, quite a long wound, so the scar is plain as day, but theres no other ones round it so i think maybe people might think i had an accident or something. The only other ones that concern me are on my upper thigh, these are only visible when i go swimming, or am kicking around in my house in shorts.

I figure the only peoples opinions that matter, are the people i know. The people that i know, and respect, understand, and its not an issue. I actually find a little comfort in having people like this in my life, they dont see the scars, they see me, which is what counts. Anyone else? Well theyre strangers to me, and have found over time that people are mostly wrapped up in themselves and their own lives. Occasionally ive noticed people looking at my scars, i figure what they think is up to them, their opinions dont matter, and no ones ever said anything out loud to me about them anyway.

So, id say do whatever feels comfortable. Our scars just show how we've survived, the only persons opinion on them, that should matter, is your own.