Is there anything I can do to get rid of old self injury scars?
August 20, 2012 2:11 PM Subscribe
Is there anything I can do to get rid of old self injury scars?
Almost a decade ago, I had problems with self injury and, as a result, have about 7-10 scars of varying degrees of notice-ability on my left forearm. Because of where/what they are (cuts from razors and cigarette burns), I think it's fairly apparent that they're self-inflicted and I've had a number of people ask about them over the years. I've gotten better at deflecting awkward questions, but as I'm getting older and applying for competitive jobs/fellowships/etc. (and just generally moving further away from the point in my life when I was that unstable) I really just want the things gone. The problem is that it's been almost ten years and, during that time, I haven't made any concerted effort to treat the scars, aside from applying lotion as part of my daily routine. I'm hoping to figure out if there's anything I can do this late in the game to get rid of my scars. I've tried to google it, but haven't found much in the way of reliable sources.
I'm wondering if anyone else has tried/had success with methods of treating old scars, from self injury or similar. I would be interested in either long term solutions (i.e. applying some sort of product) or even plastic surgery (it may be the case that I just need to go in for a consultation, but I really have no idea what I'm doing). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Almost a decade ago, I had problems with self injury and, as a result, have about 7-10 scars of varying degrees of notice-ability on my left forearm. Because of where/what they are (cuts from razors and cigarette burns), I think it's fairly apparent that they're self-inflicted and I've had a number of people ask about them over the years. I've gotten better at deflecting awkward questions, but as I'm getting older and applying for competitive jobs/fellowships/etc. (and just generally moving further away from the point in my life when I was that unstable) I really just want the things gone. The problem is that it's been almost ten years and, during that time, I haven't made any concerted effort to treat the scars, aside from applying lotion as part of my daily routine. I'm hoping to figure out if there's anything I can do this late in the game to get rid of my scars. I've tried to google it, but haven't found much in the way of reliable sources.
I'm wondering if anyone else has tried/had success with methods of treating old scars, from self injury or similar. I would be interested in either long term solutions (i.e. applying some sort of product) or even plastic surgery (it may be the case that I just need to go in for a consultation, but I really have no idea what I'm doing). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I work for a plastic surgeon and sometimes refer patients to cosmetic dermatologists. I think that your best options will either be scar revisions from a plastic surgeon or laser therapy with a cosmetic dermatologist. Generally 10 year old scars will not respond significantly even to the most sophisticated topical treatments (e.g. ScarGuard MD). I would make appointments for consultations with both a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic dermatologist. With the derm you will likely have to go to several sessions whereas with a surgeon they could probably revise them all in one shot with local anesthesia. Luck!
posted by tatiana wishbone at 3:01 PM on August 20, 2012
posted by tatiana wishbone at 3:01 PM on August 20, 2012
FWIW, my hands and wrists have a lot of scars that look like cuts and burns yet aren't self-inflicted- most were cat inflicted and the "cigarette burn" was a spider bite. So there are reasonable explanations, especially if you take up something crafty, like metal work. The cat ones are fading, but seems to take them at least a decade.
posted by small_ruminant at 3:13 PM on August 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by small_ruminant at 3:13 PM on August 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
It is not gone but has faded. I did a lot of things to get myself healthier generally and scars that were more than two decades old tempotarily turned pinkish around the edges, itched like new scars, and both shrank and faded. More recent injuries healed like troll skin.
Some things which might help:
Take a combo of sea salt, glyconutrients, and coconut oil.
If you have any indications of high acidity (like gerd or acid reflux), eat a more alkaline diet.
Take salt water baths.
Do some reading and determine if you are symptomatic for any nutritional deficiencies. If so, supplement accordingly (again: do some more reading and find out which supplements are the most bio-available and which things should be taken together. It makes a difference.)
Also, the scar on my left forearm from attempted suicide 30 years ago covers nicely with a strategically placed watch or long sleeves. When I have cared to hide it, I have gone with those options. That scar is one of the scars which faded and shrank. It is much less noticeable these days.
posted by Michele in California at 3:20 PM on August 20, 2012
Some things which might help:
Take a combo of sea salt, glyconutrients, and coconut oil.
If you have any indications of high acidity (like gerd or acid reflux), eat a more alkaline diet.
Take salt water baths.
Do some reading and determine if you are symptomatic for any nutritional deficiencies. If so, supplement accordingly (again: do some more reading and find out which supplements are the most bio-available and which things should be taken together. It makes a difference.)
Also, the scar on my left forearm from attempted suicide 30 years ago covers nicely with a strategically placed watch or long sleeves. When I have cared to hide it, I have gone with those options. That scar is one of the scars which faded and shrank. It is much less noticeable these days.
posted by Michele in California at 3:20 PM on August 20, 2012
Skip the folk remedies, and ask your doctor for a script for Retin-A (tretinoin), the good ol' acne cream many of us remember from our teens. Use it on the area of the scars for a few months, and they'll all but vanish.
/ They might have something even better nowadays, but I can personally attest that that will work small miracles.
posted by pla at 6:17 PM on August 20, 2012
/ They might have something even better nowadays, but I can personally attest that that will work small miracles.
posted by pla at 6:17 PM on August 20, 2012
You can try using chemical peels that exfoliates your skin. Start with lower concentrated peels, and work you way up the concentration.
Chemical peels with shed the top layer of your skin, and as you start using stronger peels, your skin will become much softer, and scars will go away.
posted by Thisispiggy at 9:30 PM on August 20, 2012
Chemical peels with shed the top layer of your skin, and as you start using stronger peels, your skin will become much softer, and scars will go away.
posted by Thisispiggy at 9:30 PM on August 20, 2012
I use emu oil on my scars and it fades them within a year. I know that's probably a "folk remedy" but I have never found anything that has worked as well as Emu oil. You can find it at any health food store.
posted by FlorenceF at 1:25 AM on August 21, 2012
posted by FlorenceF at 1:25 AM on August 21, 2012
for what it's worth, Emu oil appears to be vitamin E (that is, ingredients on my bottle read "100% Emu oil + Vitamin E"), so probably it's the vitamin that makes a difference.
posted by acm at 8:37 AM on August 21, 2012
posted by acm at 8:37 AM on August 21, 2012
An acquaintance of mine has had great results with the NewGel+ scar sheets. They are sticky squares of a silicone substance that adhere to your skin and can be worn 24 hours a day if you choose. They rinse in water and stick back to the skin when dried. The longer they are worn, the better.
The manufacturer claims they are clinically shown to work on old scars as well. They are very comfortable, nearly invisible and, according to the doctor that recommended them, work a lot better than the topical ointments available.
posted by JoeZydeco at 10:39 AM on August 21, 2012
The manufacturer claims they are clinically shown to work on old scars as well. They are very comfortable, nearly invisible and, according to the doctor that recommended them, work a lot better than the topical ointments available.
posted by JoeZydeco at 10:39 AM on August 21, 2012
Those scar sheets don't do anything on old cigarette burns in my experience; neither do any scar-removal products available at the drugstore. In my opinion, these are your options:
-tattoo-covering makeup. There are a variety of different kinds available and it works to cover scars. It's designed for use on the body so it doesn't smear off, etc.
-conversely, getting a tattoo to cover the affected area. When I was thinking about trying to get rid of my SI scars, this is what I was considering. Depending where you live and what kind of environment you work in, having one or two tattoos is downright normal. Especially if you're youngish. The other option, depending on your colouring, is to find out if it's possible to have your skin colour tattooed over the scars, making them less noticeable. I'm not 100% sure how feasable that is, but I think I've heard of it.
-long sleeves. If you work somewhere more conservative, wearing long-sleeved button-up shirts all the time is totally acceptable
-cosmetic surgery. There's a couple of options here. I'm including peels and microdermabrasion just because it's going to be a cosmetic surgery clinic doing the consult and procedure for these. There's also laser scar removal, and an option where they actually cut the scar away. You'd need to go in for a consult to decide what is best for you.
If you really want the scars gone, I suggest you don't bother spending money and time on over-the-counter stuff. It's not that useful for this kind of scarring. Get to a plastic surgeon or tattoo artist.
Personally, I decided to keep my scars and wear them without shame. If people ask me and I don't want to talk about it, I say "I don't like to talk about that". Nobody has ever pushed; asking about scars is recognised by most as a delicate ground.
posted by windykites at 4:58 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
-tattoo-covering makeup. There are a variety of different kinds available and it works to cover scars. It's designed for use on the body so it doesn't smear off, etc.
-conversely, getting a tattoo to cover the affected area. When I was thinking about trying to get rid of my SI scars, this is what I was considering. Depending where you live and what kind of environment you work in, having one or two tattoos is downright normal. Especially if you're youngish. The other option, depending on your colouring, is to find out if it's possible to have your skin colour tattooed over the scars, making them less noticeable. I'm not 100% sure how feasable that is, but I think I've heard of it.
-long sleeves. If you work somewhere more conservative, wearing long-sleeved button-up shirts all the time is totally acceptable
-cosmetic surgery. There's a couple of options here. I'm including peels and microdermabrasion just because it's going to be a cosmetic surgery clinic doing the consult and procedure for these. There's also laser scar removal, and an option where they actually cut the scar away. You'd need to go in for a consult to decide what is best for you.
If you really want the scars gone, I suggest you don't bother spending money and time on over-the-counter stuff. It's not that useful for this kind of scarring. Get to a plastic surgeon or tattoo artist.
Personally, I decided to keep my scars and wear them without shame. If people ask me and I don't want to talk about it, I say "I don't like to talk about that". Nobody has ever pushed; asking about scars is recognised by most as a delicate ground.
posted by windykites at 4:58 AM on August 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
Oh, I forgot to add- please go to a professional if you decide to use chemical peels. Doing them wrong or using too high of an intensity can result in burns, and lead to scarring. Not everyone's skin can handle those chemicals, and you don't want to make the problem worse.
posted by windykites at 5:02 AM on August 23, 2012
posted by windykites at 5:02 AM on August 23, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by MinusCelsius at 2:51 PM on August 20, 2012