How best to reduce/cover old self harm scars *Trigger warning*

[Anon501178]

Not sure if i have posted in right section here or not.....I am late 30s now and happily married, settled with 3 children, but have some minor scars on my wrists from self harming in my teens.I always wear a watch, and the scars aren't that noticeable at all wwith that on, but more so when it is off ( not drastically so but to the point they could be noticed, but its not obvious what they are)
I am just concerned that my kids who obviously see me all the time will one day when older ask/realise what they are, and I don't want to lie but I really don't want to tell them the truth either.
I must admit I do feel ashamed that I damaged my body in that way, although obviously I was mentally unwell at the time.
I should add that if any of my kids did sadly ever self harm i would obviously be devastated but would be empathetic, its just myself doing it that I feel ashamed about)
I want to look at getting the scars removed/reduced/covered but not sure of the best option.Would a tattoo work over scar tissue? Or would something ilike laser scar removal work best? Or maybe there is a cream or something which might help to begin with as they are relatively minor?

Just considering options, although cost is a factor.

Depending how obvious the scars are, you can sometimes get silicone patches that are meant to help (no idea if they do). I think tattoo is a popular method of covering things too. Or various oils that are meant to help reduce scars.

Don't be ashamed that you went through a difficult time in the past. I'd just be honest with your children if they notice and ask when they're older. They'll probably work it out anyway.

As you know they are there they will be more noticeable to you.

I have a lot of self harm scars on my fore arm. They are on the inside and I used to always hide them in cardigans/sleeves but slowly stopped. They aren't really that noticeable at all as they are white and I'm quite pale. My eldest is almost 6 but very observant and so far she hasn't noticed them. I was worried when my niece was younger but she's 16 now and never commented on them.

I also have non self harm scars from oven burns and you can barely see them either. Be brave and not wear your watch for short and increasing times. You will naturally find ways to hold yourself so that they aren't as obvious.

I got a tattoo over mine :)

Hi, I have researched this as my DD has considerable SH blemishes and I wanted to be armed with the data if she decides she would like to go down this route. Wrist to elbow unfortunately, so not easily camouflage-able with jewellery or a tat (unless she goes full sleeve!)

However, there are laser resurfacing treatments apparently that can be very effective. BorcianiGallery London has a gallery of before and afters to get a sense of whether that kind of treatment might work on your scars? Am assuming that something similar might be available on the NHS subject to waiting list times.