10 Ways To Hide Self Harm Scars - WikiHow

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Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Try foundation or concealer for everyday wear. 2 Apply Dermaflage on uneven scars. 3 Wear clothing to cover your scars. 4 Try bracelets to conceal scars on your arms. 5 Use a flesh-colored bandage on small scars. 6 Get a medical tattoo. 7 Cover scars with an actual tattoo. 8 Visit a dermatologist for a permanent solution. 9 Don’t hide your scars at all. 10 Practice other coping strategies. + Show 7 more... - Show less... Other Sections Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: January 17, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil is a board certified Dermatologist, Dermatopathologist, and the Owner of Mudgil Dermatology, a state-of-the-art dermatology practice based in New York, New York. As one of the few dermatologists in the area to achieve board certification in both dermatology and dermatopathology, Dr. Mudgil specializes in all aspects of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. He received his Bachelor's degree with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Emory University and earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) with Alpha Omega Alpha honors from the Stony Brook University School of Medicine. In medical school, Dr. Mudgil was among a handful of students nationwide to receive a coveted Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship and Scholarship. He then completed his residency in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, where he served as chief resident. Additionally, Dr. Mudgil went on to complete a fellowship at the prestigious Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society of Dermatopathology. Dr. Mudgil is also a member of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine teaching faculty. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,464,162 times.

If you have scars from self-harming, there may come a time when you want to cover them up before heading out for the day. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can camouflage your scars to keep them hidden. If you are still self-harming, consider reaching out to a mental health professional to learn healthy coping mechanisms.

Steps

Try foundation or concealer for everyday wear.

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Makeup can temporarily cover up your scars while you’re out. Dab a color corrector, like a green concealer, over your scars, then pat it in with your finger. Use a blending sponge or your fingers to pat on your full coverage foundation or concealer, then blend it into your skin in small, circular motions.
- Makeup works best on small, flat scars that aren’t raised.
- You can also choose from a few different types of concealer, including liquid, stick, and cream products.
- Reader Poll: We asked 212 wikiHow readers about their preferred type of concealer and 55% of them agreed that liquid concealer works best for them. [Take Poll] So, you may want to try a liquid concealer first!

Apply Dermaflage on uneven scars.

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If you have raised scars, Dermaflage can smooth out your skin. Gently squeeze out the product and pick it up with the applicator brush. Smooth the product onto your scar, then blend it into the skin around it. Press the texture pad that came with the product over the Dermaflage to give it the impression of real skin.
- You can find Dermaflage at most drug stores for around $40.
- Dermaflage is flesh-colored, but you can apply makeup on top of it if you want to.
- Dermaflage is flexible, so it will move with your skin as you walk around.

Wear clothing to cover your scars.

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It’s the most obvious solution, but it can get a little tricky sometimes. If you’re going to the beach, try wearing board shorts or men’s swim trunks to conceal scars on your legs. If it’s warm out and you can’t wear long sleeves, put on a mesh or silk long sleeve shirt instead. If you have scars on your chest, consider accessorizing with a scarf or a statement necklace.[1] X Research source
- Wearing tights is a good way to cover scars on your legs while you’re wearing a short skirt.
- Long skirts and maxi dresses can cover you from head to toe in the summer while keeping you fairly cool.

Try bracelets to conceal scars on your arms.

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Long sleeves aren’t always an option. If you have scars on your wrists, put on a group of bracelets or bangles to cover them up. No one will question why you’re wearing them, and you can even mix and match with fun colors.[2] X Research source
- Look for cuff style bracelets for the most coverage. There are lots of styles available, from men's leather cuff bracelets to women's engraved silver or gold cuffs.
- Even if the bracelets don't hide all of the scars, the presence of a brightly-colored bracelet might distract people from the smaller, less bright scars.

Use a flesh-colored bandage on small scars.

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Look for waterproof ones that stay on all day. If you have a small patch of scars that you need to cover, pick out a bandage that matches your skin tone. People probably won’t question a bandage, so even if they notice it, it won’t be a huge deal.[3] X Research source
- Waterproof bandages are a great way to cover scars while you’re swimming or at the beach.

Get a medical tattoo.

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It will blend your scars into the surrounding skin. Find a licensed dermatologist to do the procedure, then make an appointment to talk about what you’d like to have done. Your doctor will use a medical tattoo machine to color correct your scars and blend them into the skin. Medical tattoos need to be refreshed every 3 to 5 years, so you may have to get it touched up every now and then.[4] X Research source
- Medical tattoos are meant to look like your normal, natural skin. If the tattoo is successful, it won’t look like you have a tattoo at all.
- Most medical tattoos aren’t covered by insurance. You may have to pay up to $350 an hour for a medical tattoo.

Cover scars with an actual tattoo.

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It’s a permanent way to cover your scars for good. Find a licensed tattoo artist and let them know that you have some scars you want to cover up. Make an appointment with them to pick out your design and cover up your scars.[5] X Research source
- While it’s usually possible to cover scars with a tattoo, it depends a lot on the size and the placement of the scar itself. Your tattoo artist will let you know if it’s possible or not.

Visit a dermatologist for a permanent solution.

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Dermatologists can give you a medical treatment for your scars. Depending on the amount of scars you have and where they’re located, you might be able to use lasers, needling, or even scar surgery to reduce their appearance. If you want your scars gone permanently, this is your best bet.[6] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- Needling involves punctuation the skin with small, sterile needles to make small wounds. As your skin heals, the scars will lessen in appearance.
- Laser therapy is the most common treatment option for scars since it works on almost every type. It involves treating the scars with lasers to reduce their appearance over time.[7]
- Scar surgery involves cutting the scar out with a scalpel and closing the wound with small stitches. The end goal is a smaller scar that heals better and doesn’t leave as large of a mark.

Don’t hide your scars at all.

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They can be a sign of strength and willpower. If you no longer struggle with self-harming, consider not worrying about covering them up. You might get a few comments or questions here or there, but for the most part, people probably won’t notice.[8] X Research source
- If someone close to you does ask about them, you can tell them the truth if you’d like to.
- If a random stranger asks you about your scars, don’t feel obligated to tell them what really happened. You can just say they’re an old injury and that you don’t really want to talk about it.

Practice other coping strategies.

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Self-harm isn’t the best way to make yourself feel better. If you’re working through strong emotions or trauma, a mental health professional can help you work through your feelings in a healthy way. If you feel the need to self-harm, try taking a walk, doing exercise, eating something with a strong flavor, or taking a cold shower instead.[9] X Research source
- It can take a while to overcome the urge to self-harm, but it can be done. If you have the help of a mental health professional, you can overcome it even faster.

Expert Q&A

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Video

Tips

If you still struggle with self-harm, talk to a trusted adult to get the help that you need. Thanks Helpful 41 Not Helpful 214

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

If you’re having suicidal thoughts, tell a trusted adult or call emergency services. If you're in the United States or Canada, call or text 988 to reach a suicide crisis helpline. Thanks Helpful 34 Not Helpful 127

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References

↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=587&v=dg_axfjbx8k&feature=youtu.be
↑ https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/speakingoutaboutselfinjury/2021/7/self-harm-scar-cover-up-options-that-work
↑ https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/speakingoutaboutselfinjury/2021/7/self-harm-scar-cover-up-options-that-work
↑ https://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/blog/self-harm-scars
↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/tattoos-over-scars/
↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/scars-treatment
↑ Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist. Expert Interview
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg_axfjbx8k&t=75s
↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/cutting.html

About This Article

Co-authored by: Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist This article was co-authored by Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil is a board certified Dermatologist, Dermatopathologist, and the Owner of Mudgil Dermatology, a state-of-the-art dermatology practice based in New York, New York. As one of the few dermatologists in the area to achieve board certification in both dermatology and dermatopathology, Dr. Mudgil specializes in all aspects of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. He received his Bachelor's degree with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Emory University and earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) with Alpha Omega Alpha honors from the Stony Brook University School of Medicine. In medical school, Dr. Mudgil was among a handful of students nationwide to receive a coveted Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship and Scholarship. He then completed his residency in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, where he served as chief resident. Additionally, Dr. Mudgil went on to complete a fellowship at the prestigious Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society of Dermatopathology. Dr. Mudgil is also a member of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine teaching faculty. This article has been viewed 1,464,162 times. 804 votes - 68% Co-authors: 39 Updated: January 17, 2025 Views: 1,464,162 Categories: Scars | Self Harm Article SummaryX

To hide self harm scars, use a thick makeup that claims to cover tattoos or scars and matches the color of your skin. When you apply the makeup, use a small, rounded brush for the smoothest look. Another method is to hide scars with clothing or accessories. For example, wear bracelets to hide scars on your wrist. Additionally, wear long sleeved shirts to hide scars on your arms, or opt for swimsuit shorts to conceal scars on your thighs. If you’re the creative or tattooing type, use henna designs to temporarily cover up scars. To learn how to make the decision to show your scars, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Anonymous

Nov 16
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Co-authored by: Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist 804 votes - 68% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 39 Updated: January 17, 2025 Views: 1,464,162

Anonymous

Nov 16

"Knowing that there are ways to hide my scars, it allowed me to heal in my own time and space without being..." more

Meow C.

Oct 26

"Phew, this helped. I hope my mom does not see." Rated this article:

Maverick Kelley

Sep 6

"Thank you so much. I hope that as I get older, I will no longer need to hide or cover them. But for now, I will..." more Rated this article:

Nyssa Brown

Mar 21, 2016

"This was helpful for me because, although I don't cut on my wrist anymore, I still cut and worry about someone..." more

Asher W.

Sep 25, 2022

"I have just done SH a few hours ago so I cannot put anything on it right now but this will help, I do it on my..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories