Should I Hide My Scars?!
Question: When I was 13 I went through a period of cutting myself and as a result have some nasty scars on my fore arms. I'm now in my early thirties and am wondering if it is exceptable to wear short sleeves to work? I don't want other people to think I'm unprofessional or to associate me just with that rather than my work. In the past I worked from home so it wasn't an issue, but I can't do that anymore.
Answers: When I was 13 I went through a period of cutting myself and as a result have some nasty scars on my fore arms. I'm now in my early thirties and am wondering if it is exceptable to wear short sleeves to work? I don't want other people to think I'm unprofessional or to associate me just with that rather than my work. In the past I worked from home so it wasn't an issue, but I can't do that anymore.
i was the same, not sure of what people would think and say but your be surprised how many peaple can relate to it, as for
wearing short sleeve stuff, just do it, look at tattoo,s on peoples arms from being young thats ascar they cant get rid of so dont worry what anyone says just take it on the chin.
we are all looked at for one reason or another so fck it.
truthfully, I believe I would wear long sleeves to cover the scars. People who see the scars can, wrongfully, think that you ARE suicidal, not professional..........and lose faith in your ability to stand up under any pressure. Good luck!
People will think you are a nutter. Keep them covered.
Have you tried using bio-oil? It's quite good at making your scars dissapear. I don't think there would be a problem at all with you wearing short sleeves, so long as you feel comfortable. I'm not going to lie to you, you may get someone who will judge you, but most people will be very understanding and almost definatly won't ask about it.
=]
Even if you hide your scars it's likely taht people will find out, catch a glance of them if you move differently or roll up your sleeves if something needs doing. Wear whatever you fell comfortable with, if anyone asks tell them as much of the truth as you feel comfortable with, if it's out in the open no one will talk for more than a day or two, if you try to hide them and someone finds out they will assume that you're keeping them deliberately secret and it will be office gossip for months. Be open with people, it will work out better in the long run
Tammy, you are outrageous!!
As for your scars, i learnt from early on that other people do not understand (see above!!)
I self harmed for 20 years and although i no longer do, the stigma you will incur if you show others is not worth it x x
Good luck x
It might, just might, be possible to have something done to make them less visible, or even remove them completely. Speak to your GP; if they can be made to look old and less like what they really are, you could probably pass them off as the result of a childhood accident or something.
Until then, I think I'd opt for discretion.
If it doesn't bother you, wear short sleeved shirts. People will always judge no matter what. You may also come across someone who is having the same issue with themselves or a child, and you may be able to help them. Everyone has skeletons in their closet, and it takes a courageous person to stand up to them, like yourself. You will also show this is something you have overcome.
I'm in my late 20's and used to self harm till about age of 19, so the scars are probably as faded as they ever will be but still quite visible. I used to try and hide them, but now I don't bother. People rarely ask about them, but if they do I just tell them that it was something I did a long time ago, but that part of my life is over, and that it is nothing to worry about. Most people don't seem that bothered, and if anyone does get over-concerned I just reassure them that I was a troubled teen, but all that is over now and they are just old scars. I generally find people don't over-react though, and by being honest and open about it this in itself reassures them, and it also gives people an awareness that someone who has self harmed in the past can go on to lead a perfectly 'normal' life.
The funny thing is, that even though I make no effort to hide the scars, (and there are a lot of them!), people don't tend to notice all that much anyway.
Hope this helps x
do what your confortable with hun:) i had to ware short selves for pe when i had cuts on my arms(mom wouldn't let me ware long sleves 3 people asked out of a rather large class. you might even come across someone you can help and many people will respect you for being so honest. there will always be a cople of jerks not mentioning and names coff*tammy*coff but you should do what your comfortable with...
ps try bio oil
hun, you were wrong in the 1st place to even do it. now you live with it. send me pics!