My name is Melissa. I'm 14. I have a cutting issue. I've never cut too deep. My family and a few close friends know about it. But I honestly hate them knowing.. one day I was really really upset and I cut away cut after cut after cut. And that was on the outside of my arm, and it is extremely noticeable. Especially because I am very thin and have thin arms, as well as thin skin. Any scars I get are noticeable and turn white. I've tried makeup and that does nothing. I have more scars but they are smaller and less noticeable. It's just that one giant scar... I usually have been wearing long sleeves (it's been cold) because people comment me about it a lot. And my family will always stare at my arms when I talk to them. And it reminds me everyday of my issue and all the pain. But summer will be here eventually, and I want to wear short sleeves and tank tops again, but I am always so afraid of people confronting me on it, or they will notice. And what if I cut more? There will be more scars. I am really trying to stop, but right now I am worrying about my scars... I just want my scars gone you know? Please tell me what you guys do to cover up scars. I need some help. Thank you -melissa

Hi!

Honestly... I'd just show it. I mean, I know completely why you would want to hide it, but at the end of the day... your scar is still there and so is your problem with SI.
My family knows too and I never showed them my scars. I don't ever wear shortsleeves when they are home, because I can't stand it that they don't understand it.
But I don't have such a huge problem showing it to my friends because they really understand. They know what I've been through and that it is only important where I am now.
And about people I don't know, like, strangers on the street... let them see them and just shrug your shoulders when they ask and say "It's a long story" or simply "I don't want to talk about it." because, honestly it is none of their business. They are not important anyway.

Just remember... you can't make your scars go away, but you can try to accept them. They are not something you should be ashamed of. They are a sign that you've been through a lot - but also that you survived it. I like to call them battle scars. Because I fought a war... and I lost some battles, but I still won it after all.

And I will tell you one thing, the more often you show your scars, the stronger you'll get. You will gain a lot of confidence through it. And eventually you won't even think about them anymore!

Stay strong hun! I really hope you won't have to go back to cutting ever! You can do it!

Are you still cutting, that is the first real issue to deal with

Xmissybabex,

Yes, it is possible to fade the physical scars that are on your arms, feel free to read the posts in the skin lightening category https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/skin-lightening/. But, you'll have to also focus on removing the emotional scars that you have that are not seen with the physical eye, but are emotionally damaging.

You'll have to ask yourself why you are cutting yourself? What is going on emotionally inside? Many reasons of why many people cut are:

-To let out emotions
-To feel alive, and know that they are not dead
-To make the feelings of numbness go away
-To feel in control
-They feel they deserve to be punished

Please read the following:
Self Injury (http://www.selfinjury.com/) (1-800-DON'T-CUT)
Bleeding Hearts: Is Your Teen a Cutter? (http://www.cbn.com/family/Parenting/elliott_Cutting.aspx)

Lysamena Project on Self-Injury: Information about Self-Injury (http://www.self-injury.org/siinfo.html)
Help For the Cutter. : I Am a Cutter Story & Experience (http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Am-A-Cutter/116650)

Thank you all of you, you are right :) and bambiC thank you for your emotional support. And golden_girl, thank you for yours too, and the link to skin care. And fr_chuck I am not still cutting, I slip sometimes but it's the scars I usually worry about, but of course I care about the issue. But I am thankful for you bambic and golden_girl that you understand.
P.S. yes golden girl all those reasons are the reasons I cut

Ok, keep us updated with your progress. And remember in order for the scars to heal internally as well as externally, you'll have to work on your inner scars as well so that history will not continue to repeat and cycle itself.

Im 55 and I have bad scars on my arm from a suicide attempt.

Whenever anyone asks what that is I say it's a mistake.

If anyone asks you maybe you can tell the truth and help someone. Peace :)

Hi Melissa
I know what your going threw I have many scars myself and there is no reall way to get them to go away of the last month all I have done is put lotion on them and I can tell they have faded. Try to stay strong. If you ever need anyone to talk I'm hear. Email me at [email protected] if you need. I hope your OK :)