Concealing a scar (TW for potentially upsetting content)

[MissSmila]

DD has a massive scar on her inner forearm where she hurt herself a few months ago. It is about 6 inches long and very thick and raised and red. I bought her some silicone tape to try to heal it, and to conceal it a little, but the tape is quite dark against her skin, which is very pale.

She has some important events coming up, when people who have not seen her for a while and who don't know all that has gone on will be there, and we would like to try to make it less obvious.

Does anyone know of some pale coloured tape we could use, or anything else that might help?

Long sleeves would be the obvious answer, or make up.

DH has a scar on his forearm in what sounds like roughly the same position. His was from an operation where they had to take the vein out of his arm to use somewhere else. It's faded to nothing over the last few years, and you can hardly see it - I hope your DD will find that reassuring at least.

Thanks. It's good to hear that your son's scar has faded. I think this is what they call a keloid scar, so I'm not expecting it to ever really fade.

Long sleeves would be best, but they are not an option this time, I'm afraid. I'll look into makeup.

I have a massive scar on my forehead which I got as a 9 year old. The best way I have found to make it "disappear" is to apply concealer that matches my skin tone, then a light layer of face powder and blend in. Keep doing it until the scar is no longer visible. Mine takes 3 layers.

Pressed too soon.
That's concealer, face powder, blend x3

Just an idea, but what about the foundation tape people use to cover tattoos - would that work? Or silicon gel?

Between us we have a lot of concealer! We'll give it a go.

I hadn't thought of stuff to hide tattoos - I'll have a look.

Thanks

www.changingfaces.org.uk/services-support/skin-camouflage-service/skin-camouflage-products-prescriptions/ There is a skin camouflage service I think the Red Cross used to run a similar service. There are videos available if your daughter doesn’t want a (free) appointment.

In the long term have you enquired about ultrasound treatment? When I broke my wrist I mentioned my surgery scar was still quite sore several weeks later so I was referred for physio therapy and they judged that my scar was quite thick so gave me a weekly ultrasound on it to try to help it fade a bit. Certain parts of it did fade a bit but I couldn't have the ultrasound too high as there was metal underneath so a higher setting might have had better results.

Try Dermablend, available from Amazon? Like thick concealer - really good

I have a keloid scar from self harm in the same place. I've had a few steroid injections into it to reduce the appearance. It's faded to a mostly white scar colour now instead of being all hard and angry looking. Have also been offered surgery to cut the scar out and then have a neater scar though you still have the risk of another keloid scar. Options worth looking into for future

Kelocote gel is really good, and I've also had steroid injections into my keloid which reduced the height of it a lot, plus took out the colour.
To conceal it, she'll need to use body make up on both arms all over as otherwise the concealer will hilight it. You can buy dermablend samplers to find the best match, or I've used MAC body foundation all over and then concealer on the scar, then a dusting of bronzer powder over the top as then it looks like you have done bronzer for the colour, and the shimmer distracts from underlying colour

Vichy from boots has the highest cover foundation. For scars. Try that. Set with any translucent powder.

Thank you all - some great tips for now, and for the future.

KVD lock it concealer and powder, but if it’s very red you might need to colour correct with a green concealer

Stage makeup and setting spray to stop it rubbing off on clothes.

I am prone to keloid scaring and they do go away over time. I find using cream for piles helps!
(I've never had piles but someone recommended this for me to try! 😂)

I have never heard of this. About 75% of my SH scars have gone keloid, including lots on my breasts. I might try pile cream to see if it reduces them.

If it’s a special occasion and she’s old enough, what about a spray tan? Or tinted moisturiser you can build up? Should look natural enough in summer and sleeves winter. Good luck.

Alternatively message a couple of strong people and explain. Once it’s ‘out there’ no one will even notice it’s just the initial telling x