Swimming coverage when you have scars

[GN637]

My Dd badly scalded her leg last year and it is scared. I've booked a surprise holiday where swimming is the main activity. She needs a costume because she doesn't have one so I'm trying to subtly find out what kind she'd like "just in case we go swimming in half term" and she's said she doesn't want to go swimming until the scar looks better. This holiday is her favourite place so she will want to swim in the pools. There's lots of slides and fun stuff. She's very fair and a teenager. What can I do to either cover it as best as possible? Tape? Not sure she'd get a skin match as she's more blue/ purple than anything 🤣 She wouldn't wear long shorts. We could buy once there but the choice would be very limited. I could buy a selection off Amazon and take them all and let her try on there but I don't know how to get round the scar issue. I've booked this for her mental health mainly and am now worried I'll have made things worse. I know most people won't even notice but she's so self conscious.

I have a big scar on my bum (burn). The main thing to improve it's appearance is to keep it out of the sun as much as possible, so maybe tackle it from that angle? If she feels she is covering it up for medical reasons, she may feel less self conscious about wearing something she normally wouldn't to cover it up.

Worst case, slather on a really thick mineral sunblock, which will hide it.

In my experience, the best thing to cover up scarring with is a biggish temporary tattoo.

There are tons of expensive lotions and potions out there but it's throwing good money away, in my experience. They'll either come off onto clothes or just won't last or won't be the right colour. A temporary tattoo can flatten texture and is more durable in water. Plus it's easily replaced.

I agree with this. It’s better for the healing for it to be out of the sun. Maybe some swim leggings or a tubular bandage type thing

We will be in the Uk and it's next week so an indoor complex with no danger of any UV rays 🤣 Should have said that sorry!

Shorts would ruck up and expose the area too.

Burkini or wetsuit I suppose?

It's good you're in the Uk because in some European countries only proper swimming costumes are allowed in swimming pools and covering up isn't an option.

How far up her leg is the scar? Either ASDA or Tu had some swimming costumes online this week with different levels of coverage. I've always rated their swimwear too.

You can get swimming cycling shorts - would they work?

Forgot to post link

uk.justhype.com/collections/girls-swimwear-shorts

It's on the lower thigh but on the inside. No way she'd wear shorts. She's very fussy which doesn't help

Whereabouts on the leg is the scar and how large?

Sea fancy does some options if higher up e.g. https://seafancy.co.uk/product/teal-colorblock-square-neck-wide-straps-sporty-bikini-top-and-high-waist-boy-shorts?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG40Oacx5_5YnQR1bDuBf6-OpDz0DHItSJz8EsproD4IimynyHoxkQQwaAnAHEALw_wcB

This one from decathlon is longer:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-aquafit-aquabiking-jammer-swimsuit-shorts-mila-black/_/R-p-327469

Or if the scar is small enough you can get silicone scar covering strips pr waterproof camouflage makeup.

To be honest, I'd buy some anyway and take them. I don't really think there's another solution if she doesn't want anyone to see the scar. Once she's there, she might change her mind about wearing them and it would be good for her to have the option.

Came on to say seafarer too but the boyshort options. I've got the black and white striped one and it's the only costume I've ever had compliments about! https://seafancy.co.uk/category/one-pieces-with-boy-short-details

SeaFancy not Seafarer!

I used to use Dermablend for my scar. Not sure how waterproof it was but sure you can check. I think for swimming a cover up is less high maintenance though.

I'd go with board shorts, sell the surfer girl look. Brands like animal, Roxy, quicksilver

www.animal.co.uk/products/nora-womens-classic-boardshorts-navy?variant=44391723401467&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_content=Nora+Womens+Classic+Boardshorts+-+Navy+10&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG41kg8G4FvwGZ7Qk2LvLCCPO0uIDIaJQfha05fOXhJrMWeod9g4IoKUaAgzJEALw_wcB

I have scars, quite horrid ones, anyway o used to be self conscious(I’m not anymore) however before a holiday a few years ago I saw a physio for an issue and he taped me with kinesiology tape to aide recovery, anyway long story short, one piece covered a scar and I felt so good, mainly as it just looked like I was recovering so didn’t feel as horrible as the scar. Very odd I know but I just felt better with that on show rather than a scar!! 🤷‍♀️

Would she consider a kneeskin? The top half looks like a classic sports swimsuit but the legs extend to the knee. Competitive swimmers wear them but you don’t need to get an expensive technical one. Something like this -

https://www.allensswimwear.co.uk/amanzi-womens-pixie-kneesuit-pink-am37191f

There’s tons of colour options. It’s a bit more of a sporty option if that’s her style.

Perhaps she may want to use body make-up if the scar is healed enough. The Changing Faces website has some good information. I am sure if you explained her situation your local Dior counter would give you a sample of their Backstage face and body make up. Otherwise as mentioned upthread Dermablend is a well known brand to cover scarring but Changing Faces will be more up to date. As you realise most people won’t notice or care, but most of us remember that feeling that everyone is looking at us and judging.

I forgot to say, I hope you all have a good holiday.

A kneesuit is exactly what I was going to suggest. My DD has the cheaper non-compression kneesuits for training as she prefers them to regular costumes. Maru have lots of fun patterns, as do Speedo. We buy ours from Vinted, if you don't want to spend a fortune. They are usually in excellent condition as they are only worn for training (rather than on holiday/down water slides etc), so no bobbly bottoms!

Would she wear surf leggings? I have a pair of patterned roxy ones that I absolutely love and are great, I do wear them for swimming but also for yoga and as a base layer. They’re like a lightweight swim fabric with a thick waistband, so don’t roll down or anything.

Bonmarché sell swim leggings . https://www.bonmarche.co.uk/swim-and-beachwear/dash---plain-knee-length-swim-leggings-9004982.html?dwvar_9004982_color=07&utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=18252782059&utm_term=&source=&&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=18252782059&utm_term=&source=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG41baf0TjQ9xZwTKVt0miQiJEx_wacUECivtZu8Jfs8W-SxzJmtuKRkaArN6EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thank you for all the suggestions, I'll have a look at them all.

I would bring some bike short style bottoms and some tape.