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Published on: 3/5/2025

Do Self Harm Scars Go Away?

Self-harm scars usually do not go away completely, but with time and treatment, they can become less noticeable.

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Explanation

When you hurt your skin, scars can form as your body heals. These scars are usually a permanent mark, although many people notice that they fade or become less visible over time. How much they fade depends on factors like your skin type, where the scar is on your body, and how deep the injury was. Some treatments may help make scars look better. For example, doctors sometimes use techniques like scar revision surgery, special skin grafts, or other therapies to help smooth or fade the scars. Even though these treatments can improve how the skin looks, they may not completely erase the scars. It is also important to care for your skin with gentle cleaning, moisturizing, and protecting it from the sun to help the healing process. Remember, scars tell a story of how you struggled and have worked through hard times, and over time they often become a part of who you are. If you are concerned about how your scars look, talking to a doctor or skin specialist can give you more information on safe treatment options.

(References)

  • Brown BC, McKenna SP, Siddhi K, McGrouther DA, Bayat A. The hidden cost of skin scars: quality of life after skin scarring. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2008 Sep;61(9):1049-58. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2008.03.020. Epub 2008 Jul 9. PMID: 18617450.

  • Ho W, Jones CD, Anderson W. Deliberate self-harm scars: Review of the current literature. JPRAS Open. 2018 Apr 9;16:109-116. doi: 10.1016/j.jpra.2018.03.001. PMID: 32158821; PMCID: PMC7061641.

  • Takaya K, Hayashi R, Aramaki-Hattori N, Okabe K, Sakai S, Asou T, Kishi K. Treatment of Deliberate Self-harm Scars with Rotated Thin-skin Graft and Minced-skin Graft. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020 Aug 19;8(8):e3020. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003020. PMID: 32983777; PMCID: PMC7489652.

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