Covering self harm scars with tattoos - dithering and looking for others experiences

[InflagranteDelicto]

This is a TAAT, following on from This thread :

Have you covered self harm scars with tattoos? If so, would you mind sharing?

I have some obvious ones on my upper arm that I keep covered at all times and am going though a phase of thinking that covering them would be a good idea. Comes to me most springs, but I've never been brave enough to do anything about it. Not sure what I'd have either.

I know it's intrusive, so please scroll on by if you'd prefer. But how well has it worked to hide your scars and what do you recommend?

I had a tattoo over a SH scar and it hurts like mad for some reason!

Have you considered laser treatment or silicone gel as an alternative to tattoos?

Thanks. And thank you Arlanymor- that city is a distance for me, but it's definitely one to consider. Without Slimers!

I've not really considered laser removal. Tbh, I didn't know that was a thing! But I think I'd rather cover them with something pretty.

I have a huge scar on my wrist from when I went through a very bad depression episode when I was 19. It’s covered up with a tattoo of an elephant that I love - now when I look at it I feel happy. I’ve had it ten years now and no regrets. I don’t care what other people think.

I’ll tell you what I think, though. First, many people don’t recognise them for what they are.

When I see them, I feel respect and- I hope this isn’t patronising- something like compassion, though that’s not quite the right word. I know I’m with someone who has faced dark times.

I have some scars on my thigh that I covered up but you can still see them. It’s a shit tattoo though so probably not relevant. Still glad they aren’t as obvious though (scars spell out a bad word so more problematic than some)

Honestly though I’d try just having them out and see how it feels. People are so self centred it’s unlikely anyone will even notice and you might feel better than you think. I have scars on my wrist too and I’ve never covered them and it’s never been mentioned.

Think my message was deleted because I shared a specific link - hey ho! Not knowing you it would have been weird to send a DM! I do highly recommend however. Definitely no Slimers!!!

I have a few memento mori-themed ones - candle, skull - which I got after I had a period of bereavements. I'm thinking of getting a bird next as something a bit more hopeful, renewal. Maybe start with what you want it to mean to you? Or are you motivated solely by aesthetics?

It's mn - none of us really 'knows' anyone else! I'd have been cool - but I've followed the link. For ideas as much as anything

Fab, glad it didn't get lost!

I'm solely motivated by aesthetics, although there's a degree of texture that will never be hidden. I keep them hidden, from my parents, from my kids. I'm also a brownie & guide leader so for me it's important it's not visible.

Plus they're even more visible if I tan - white streaks against a tanned background is not good 😳

I used to be more confident and open but in the years after leaving xh i had to deal with several SS investigations following vexatious allegations made by him and camhs (ds was being assessed at the time, later dx asd & ADHD) . In one of the allegations, camhs claimed they were fresh. There's no fucking hope for any kids under them if that can't tell the difference between fresh & over 10 years old 🤬. So now I cover up.

Nope 😁

And actually, would you talk a novice through how it would work? If you were to get someone like me walk in saying I want to cover this area of skin but don't have a clue about what with?

A bird could be very beautiful.

More than happy to - can't do it tonight as I am almost en route to sit on some cats (not literally, but yes cat-sitting!) but can drop you a DM tomorrow and take it from there?

👋. I have a full sleeve tattoo, pagan/witchcraft themed. I had a stonking scar on my forearm that has been covered with a darker style tattoo and its covered it pretty well,only i see it now as I know its there. Good luck and I really hope you find a style you love ❤️

If you had the time for a tentative conversation that would be amazing. Honestly, at this point it's all maybes and shall I. And just the idea of walking into somewhere is out of my comfort zone. Which is hilarious given both my girls now have tattoos!

Enjoy the cats, I hope they don't sit on you, it's too hot for that!

I am now wondering if @Arlanymor is a tattoo artist and kept that one quiet!!🤔 😆 🤣.

Just to reassure you that any decent tattoo artist will have heard everything and seen every part of the body in every condition you can imagine - and some you probably can’t! Plenty of people have tattoos because they’re pretty, but many people have them to remember something intense - good and bad. There are uplifting and terribly sad backgrounds to lots of tattoos and a well established artist will have heard so many stories. I know it’s your story so it’s unique and your own, but it won’t be surprising or embarrassing for them.

However, covering scars is a specific skill so I’d look for someone in your area who mentions having experience in this. I… did not do this and it has not worked out very well. In my defence, I got that tattoo when I was 19! The ones I’ve gotten as an adult are beautiful and I spent the right amount of time considering them and working with an artist.

Think about things that are meaningful to you- what about you or your children’s favourite flowers? Something about renewal? My favourite tattoo is of two things my kids were obsessed with at the time I got it. They are past those stages now but it makes me smile every time I look at it as it reminds me of when they were younger. Or just something you think is beautiful, there’s nothing wrong with that and it can be nice to reclaim your body in that way.

Sounds great, would be really happy to do that. We're all a bit splayed in the middle of the room with a rotating fan at the moment! Will drop you a line in the morning!

I have a scar on my inner wrist from a sad time in my teens. I’m in my 50s now and had my first ever tattoo a few years back. The design doesn’t cover it so much as the scar becomes part of it, the tattoo artist said it was like making something beautiful that I was happy to show out of something I felt ashamed of and wanted to hide. I’m really proud of it now - and I don’t think it hurt any more than tattooing ‘fresh’ skin from what I understand.

I've heard that tattooing over scars really hurts, so I've been thinking about scarification. Look it up, t can look amazing

I'm solely motivated by aesthetics, although there's a degree of texture that will never be hidden

This is why I mentioned laser therapy. It can smooth and fade scars significantly. You could still get tattoo over the top if you wanted, but your skin would be much smoother.