How to get rid of cut scars – treatments for emotional scars

Many people live with cut or self-harm scars on their bodies. When it comes to how to get rid of cut scars, a holistic approach is required to both heal the scars and support the patient’s emotional recovery concurrently.

This guide looks at treatment options for self-harm scars, as well as guidance on dealing with the associated emotions which a patient might be experiencing.

The journey of self-harm scars

Self-harm scars need a special kind of care due to their history and the difficult emotions, experiences and triggers which are attached to them. They are often the result of negative emotions and can exacerbate such emotions merely by their presence. It is common for patients to feel a whole range of different levels of discomfort when it comes to revealing their scars in different settings, and feelings might vary with friends and loved ones, at work, in a social setting and front of strangers.

Such scars may also vary in location, size, and width. So, concerning how to get rid of self-harm cut scars, the first step is always a thoughtful and sensitive consultation to find the best treatment combination for your personal goals. We listen carefully to understand what you hope to achieve — whether it’s softening the colour, texture or size of the scars, or helping them appear more like medical scars to reduce stigma. We also consider whether it’s the right moment in your life to begin treatment, so that any changes feel both meaningful and manageable.

When to start treating cut scars – Is it too late for old scars?

Even older scars that formed months or years ago may be treatable to an extent. It is important to understand that it is not possible to completely remove scars, but they can certainly minimise their appearance with the right type of treatment. It is essential to consult with a scar specialist, who will go through your treatment options and explain the best combination of treatments so that you can obtain the maximum level of improvement.

Why treatment is essential for self-harm scars

It is strongly recommended only to seek treatment for self-harm scars when you feel emotionally and physically prepared to do so. However, the earlier you can do this, the better, as the longer scars are left untreated, the more risks and problems they can trigger, like discomfort, stiffness, or mobility issues.

Patients may also continue to experience negative emotions, including guilt, regret, or a lack of comfort and confidence in their bodies, as long as the scars remain present and untreated. Proper treatment will improve the appearance of these scars while also providing additional benefits, such as enhanced skin texture, increased flexibility, and improved function.

Treatment options – how to get rid of cut scars

There are many possible answers to how to get rid of cut scars on legs, arms, and elsewhere around the body. The next sections will explore various treatment options, including invasive and non-invasive methods.

Laser treatments

Laser treatments use concentrated beams of light (lasers) to target specific areas of skin. The lasers make extremely small holes within the skin. This triggers the body’s natural healing response. As part of that response, the production of collagen – an essential skin protein – increases. This helps to generate healthy, strong skin cells and fibres to replace the damaged scar tissue, improving its appearance.

Skin grafting

Skin grafting is a surgical procedure. It involves taking skin from one part of the body – including the arm, abdomen, leg, or buttocks – and grafting it onto a section of scarred skin elsewhere. The healthy skin effectively grows over the scarred tissue. It is one of the most effective methods for getting rid of cut scars on thighs and other areas, while also helping to change what many patients feel is the stigmatising appearance of self-harm scars.

Medical tattooing

Medical tattooing, also known as micro pigmentation, differs significantly from decorative tattooing and is performed by a specially trained practitioner. It involves the use of a special machine that has numerous small needles to inject pigment into the top layer of the skin. The pigment helps restore a natural tone to scarred or damaged skin, allowing it to blend more thoroughly with the surrounding areas and making the scars less visible.

Scar camouflage

Scar camouflage can be a fantastic option to help increase your confidence about your self-harm scars, and it can be used as a stand-alone or alongside treatments to give immediate, temporary and waterproof camouflage for your scars. It is a highly pigmented camouflage cream and is entirely different from make–ups that can be bought online because it is specifically designed for patients with scarring and is uniquely colour-matched to your skin tone. In your consultation, you will be shown how to apply and blend it for maximum coverage and confidence.

Emotional healing: beyond the scar

Some patients may experience emotional struggles associated with their cut scars. It is important, therefore, to ensure you have the necessary emotional support you need while undergoing cut scar treatment and that you are emotionally prepared for the actual procedure.

There are helplines, support groups, and mental health professionals ready and able to assist you with this. Speaking with family and friends can also be part of the emotional recovery journey, but each patient’s situation is unique, so all must follow whichever path suits them best, when they feel ready.

The London Scar Clinic has a resident counsellor available to assist and support patients through their treatment journeys. Should you feel the need to do so, you can seek psychological support from them to address and manage any emotions that come up during the process.