Scar Issues

[elle8]

Hi! I'm really new here, and I have major issues with my scars.
I stopped cutting around eight weeks ago, and cutting is not a problem at all anymore, but the scars definitely are. Some of mine that are mainly healed are sort of pinky/purple in some lights, but the worse ones are on the under side of my forearm and are really red. They're the ones causing me issues, the others I can deal with. They're not raised, I think they're slightly indented, but they're quite thick. At the time, I thought my cuts were pretty weak compared to others, but in retrospect they're actually pretty nasty, and the ones on the more fleshy part on my arm are really red.
A lot of people say that scars are less noticeable to others, but in certain lights mine are painfully obvious. When I did cut, a few friends noticed the cuts (I came up with excuses) and only two sussed me out (predictably they didn't talk to me about it, but to each other and are completely not understanding). I often catch them trying to look at my arms and it really unnerves and upsets me, so hoping they won't notice isn't an option. I just really want to be able to cover them in time for summer, and maybe they will be less red in time for summer, but I'm not sure if they are actually scars that will stay red or fade?
I'm sure in the future I'll be able to be comfortable with my scars, when I go to uni and stuff and meet new people, but my current friends and family CAN'T see them.
Like, when I think about them being there it makes me feel sick with worry and it's really hard to deal with. I can't afford all these fancy silicone sheets or scar cream really, does anyone know any cheap remedies?
Urgghh I know this is long and unnecessary but I wanted to talk with people with the same issues as me, and have done for a long time. Does anyone have any tips? Make up looks a bit unnatural, I use body butter with cocoa butter on my arms but it's not making them less red quickly!
I'm aware of how annoying and 'let-out-my-problems-on-other-people' I sound, but... Yeah. Any help?:)

[TwilightFan]

First thoughts ... powder. I know you said it looks unnatural, but have you tried correctors?

http://www.maybelline.com.au/PRODUCTS/Face/CONCEALER/Cover_Stick_Corrector_Concealer/medias/Cover%20StickT%20Corrector%20Concealer.jpg

They're ment for pickels and stuff like that. You know, small irregularities on skin and it should help. Otherwise, you could just make an excuse, like, you can carry your jacket with you all the time, just saying: "Perhaps it will get colder." And you don't actually have to wear it, you can just carry it in the way to cover the worse scars. But that's just in case. I wouldn't worry that much. If you stopped cutting a while ago, the scars are probably not even noticeable to people, who don't know about your problem. I swear, my cuts are quite noticeable to me, but when we undress at school at P.E., nobody except my closest friends (to whom I've told about it) notices.

And you know what? S***w (sorry for the expression) those people who have no understanding for your problems. Don't worry about them, they don't know a thing about it!

[Desuetude]

Vitamin E is meant to be very good for scar tissue. You can buy the capsuals of it and cut the tops off and rub the oil into your skin (it also makes your skin softer, added bonus). I haven't had much luck with makeup personally but this seems to be helping.

[elle8]

Yeah, I was considering getting some concealer specifically to cover it, just didn't know if it would work that well, but might as well try it out!
I've heard about vitamin E as well, so I'll try that out, too.
Thanks!
I've also read that bio oil, cocoa butter and lemon juice (to bleach the scars) are good... Have any of those worked for anyone? Especially concerning redness in scars.

[Truth]

Personally, I tried all those "remedies", and the only one that worked was time... and lots of it.

Good luck to you though.

[elle8]

Yeahh that was what I was afraid of haha. I want to get an idea of how long exactly, but I guess it depends on how bad the scars are, your skin tone, etc. etc.
I just want them less noticeable for when it's hotter... I mean, it's not really a problem living in Britain because you can ALWAYS wear a jacket haha, but if I go on holiday or we get a freak heat wave or something.

[Truth]

A few of my scars are still completely visible 3+ years later. I don't really imagine them going away completely, ever. I still have that white mark there.

[elle8]

Were your scars red for long? I'd be okay with having white marks, it's just the red is really noticeable (to me at least) and it's distressing me so much.

[Truth]

Were your scars red for long? I'd be okay with having white marks, it's just the red is really noticeable (to me at least) and it's distressing me so much. Yeah, for about 6-9 months after I acually cut. Then they turned white, but the scars are still there. If you felt my arm, you'd feel like a ladder of little bumps that are actually scars. Not really a smart idea to self harm.. doesn't go away easily.

[elle8]

Yeah, for about 6-9 months after I acually cut. Then they turned white, but the scars are still there. If you felt my arm, you'd feel like a ladder of little bumps that are actually scars. Not really a smart idea to self harm.. doesn't go away easily.


Okay... I mean, I don't care too much about having the white scars, at least it gives me a little character, but the red ones are just plain ugly.
It's weird because at the time I thought I was cutting a little and then one day I just realised my arm was absolutely covered in cuts right up to the elbow, up to the point that I could hardly see normal skin. It is addictive, and people getting into it don't know what they're getting themselves into...

[Carly011]

I am using a cream called scar zone, it seems to take away the redness. i also use coverup so no one notice it in the mean time