Help Need to cover scars

[breatheout]

So last time I cut, I went way overboard and now I have a bunch of permanent and very red scars. It's been a month, they're flat skin, but so red. Summer is gonna be here eventually, and i like going to the beach with my family, but they still don't know, nor do I ever want them to know about my self harm habits. anyone know a good cover up for them? waterproof foundation isn't working, and I honestly don't want to be dropping hundreds to cover it. Context on size, its both of my entire shin and calf, knee to ankle.

 

[UKscotty]

I still have mine 10 years later.

SH is nasty, sadly not much we can do about the scars except accept them.

I.always caution people again SH, nothing good comes from it and the scars ars literally for a life time.

Long sleeves is all we can do.

 

[falling_snow]

some water activities where you need to cover your whole body (maybe surf or similar) or wear long trousers and try to stay away from shorts, or bikinis. it shouldn't look too weird, as they arent in your wrists.

or you could cover them with bandages and say you fell or scraped yourself. or an animal.

but it should be okay in a few months if you dont cut too low. try reducing SH and cut nearer your thighs, but only if you really need it.

try alternatives in the mean time (hair bands, ice, cold water,...)

 

[xhelx]

Maybe a waterproof concealer might work, since it's specifically made to cover up things? Maybe a color corrector would also help with the redness.
Also it's only been a month, they will definitely improve by summer, since scars can take months until they fully heal. Or you could get one of those long skirt like cover-ups to wear on the beach.

 

[Ash’Girl]

Cute knee socks? Doesn't help for the beach, I guess.

But when I used to self harm, the redness would fade to white fairly fast for shallow cuts - couple months max.

I did a number on my legs once, knees to ankles, but they were all surface cuts, like cat scratches. I haven't retained those scars so yours may disappear eventually unless they were deep/keyloid. My thighs and my arms are a different story. 15 years on I still have a lot of white scars. My skin is super pale and thin and prone to scarring.

There's a foundation called il makiage that you do an online test for and one of the questions you can select redness corrector. A while back I also tried one called Covermark. Quite full coverage but not sure what either would be like on legs - and I think even waterproof stuff wouldn't stand up to a dip in the ocean.

You might want to Google waterproof STAGE makeup. Something specifically designed for heavy coverage on stage, or as a dancer/cheerleader will be thicker and more resistant to sweat - and possibly water?

 

[F@#$]

Tattoos

 

[Naked Weapon]

It's drastic, but I did tattoos. Tattoo artists tend to give discounts if they skin they're inking shows signs of self-harm, too.

 

[Ash’Girl]

Oh, and according to a makeup article I just found from synchronised swimmers make up tips of all things, applying Vaseline over the top of your make up can help it stay waterproof

Worth testing.

 

[_Broken_alice]

We don't know the name of them, but there are clothes you wear under for beach/water activities intended to prevent chafing and sunburn. Something like that will probably be your best option. They fit skin tight and cover everything. From our experience, nothing short of covering with clothing will really work. It's just a matter of finding appropriate clothing that covers.