Skin grafts for scars?

[shotokansho]

Hi everyone.

I have been a regular self harmer and my arms are a mess, although I have seen worse, to mine mine are hideous. I am pleased to say that I haven't harmed myself for nearly a year and I have no thoughts or plans to either.
I have tried bio oil to try and minimise them but it hasn't worked and it's very expensive. I was wondering if anyone has had any personal experiences of how they have dealt with scars from self harm and do you think skin grafts or surgery of another kind would be useful? I hate them that much that I would be prepared to go down the surgical route.

[ElizabethJane]

I do know people who have self harmed in the past A friend of mine tried to get some help for her scars but they were unable to help her (sorry cannot be specific about the scarring) She tells people that she has been in an accident if they ask.
Someone else I met in hospital once went to see someone who was going to perform some sort of skin peel on her arms.Unfortuately her scarring was too extensive so they could not do it. You could ask your GP for a referral to see someone who specialises in disguising scars with make up as a temporary measure. Also see if you can be referred to see a plastic surgeon.? I can understand that you do not want the permanent reminders of your past illness. EJ

[lashes]

hiya i havent self harmed but i had very bad acne as a teenager and just to literally dig at my face to relieve tension i guess i had very deep holes and scars i tried alot of the oils and things and they didnt help but then i heard about deramroller i bought one for about ten pound i think frm amazon or ebay and its made an amazing difference !its taken probably 3 months but my skin is 70 percent better its a little uncomfortable to do but not too bad x

[Anxious_gal]

that roller thing with the spikes, it actually helped? Oh wow I might give that a go, I have few potholes in my skin too due to ache.

I know depending on the scars, there are lazes, surgery and so on so your best off maybe seeing a dermatologist or someone

[mikewales]

I think skin grafts would probably end up looking worse than any scars. One thing you could consider is having some tattoo work done to cover them over and distract from them. This may seem a bit extreme, but if you are the sort of person who likes tattoos anyway, then it would be a good excuse to have some really nice stuff done

[lashes]

Yeh the dermaroller is amazing i tell everyone lol definitely give it a go ! X

[shotokansho]

Thanks for the replies guys. I have considered a tattoo, but not because of my scars. I just haven't had the guts to have one done because I know they hurt and I have a rubbish pain threshold. Ok I'm confused, what exactly is a dermaroller?
I have also heard of some make-up that the doctor can prescribe that can blend the scars into your skin colour. I know the sun helps too, but that means I have to get my arms out in the first place. I promised my boy I would take him swimming next weekend, wish i hadn't done now.
Well I guess I will go to the docs and see what she suggests, thanks again.

Kez x

[Bond Girl]

You can get specialist waterproof makeup to disguise the scars, but I'm not sure if you have to go through your GP or just buy it online. Also, buy some high concentrate vitamin E capsules from the health food shop, snip the capsule & rub the neat oil into the scars. That can help x

[Rennie1989]

Someone I know has a nasty scar on his arm which cannot be corrected by scar cream as it is just scar tissue. He tells people he was in a fight and the guy had a knife or a sharp object. He gets very self conscious about it, especially when his arm tans because the scar tans twice as much and it's really visible. Despite that he doesn't really want to correct it.

I have scars which are not as deep. I use this expensive scar serum (tiny glass jar which is £15 or something) which I rub onto my scars every now and then. If done to the directions it makes it far less visible, almost to the point where you barely notice them anymore. I can find out the name and PM it to you if you like?

[lashes]

A dermaroller is like a little roller thing with tiny needles in the end and u roll it on the area and because it makes small injurys to your skin your skin then makes collegen or something and heals the area it sounds worse than it is honestly I have a rubbish pain threshold to ! If you type it in google or amazon you will find loads and it takes you through what needle length to use depending on the type of scars I think you can you can use a longer needle on your body than you face x