Self Harm Scars and How to Address Them

Coping With Self-Injury Scars and Getting Treatment Options

There is no single reason self harm becomes attractive. People self injure for many different reasons. For example, emotional pain or numbness, a sense of control, or to express feelings that are difficult to verbalize.

Effective treatment is available for self harm and possible underlying causes, such as mental health conditions.

But even following successful treatment, self harm can result in permanent scars. This means that you or a loved one might have scarring from self injury, even if you or they have not engaged in self harm for an extended period of time now.

There are options available for people who would like to reduce the appearance of self harm scars. When desired, these treatments can improve confidence and quality of life.

Catalina Behavioral Health provides effective therapy for self harm and other mental health concerns. We’re here to help you move forward, whether coping with self harm scars involves scar reduction treatments or not. Please keep reading to learn more about such scars and the options for their removal.

Coping With Self Harm Scars as a Survivor

Everyone copes with self harm scars differently. Sometimes, feelings about scarring can change day to day. Even so, many people feel that scarring affects their confidence or comfort in social situations. This can take a toll on a person.

It’s common to worry about how other people perceive your scars. This can be true even if you’ve had them for a long time, no longer use self harm behaviors, or are not ashamed of them. For this reason, some people go to great lengths to hide their scars.

For example, to avoid others noticing, you may hide scars by wearing long sleeves, even in hot weather. Or, you might avoid certain activities, like swimming. Not only is this an inconvenience, but it can affect your quality of life.

Some people don’t want physical treatment for scarring. Others find that aesthetic treatment helps them move forward. Both options are okay. This is your story, and how your scars affect you will not be identical to how someone else’s scars affect them.

What are the Treatment Options for Self Harm Scars?

Different types of scars can result from self injury. Your personal treatment options may depend on factors like the kind of scarring you have. That said, here are some of the main approaches people consider.

Scar Revision Surgery

Scar revision surgery is a common treatment option for self harm scars. It is a type of plastic surgery that can reduce the appearance of scarring from self harm behaviors.

The process involves skin grafts. Surgeons will give you post-operative instructions, including restrictions on heavy lifting and other activities.

Laser Therapy for Scars

Laser therapy can be an option for various types of scarring. This includes hypertrophic scarring, keloid scars, and burn scars. Compared to surgery, this can be a favorable option due to benefits like reduced downtime after the procedure.

Several types of lasers can be used to treat scarring. The type of laser therapy best for you can depend on factors like the type of scars you have.

Cryotherapy (Freezing Scar Treatment)

Cryotherapy involves freezing and destroying scar tissue. To do this, a dermatologist will apply extreme cold (e.g., liquid nitrogen) to the area. This can reduce scar volume and appearance. Many people need more than one cryotherapy session to achieve the desired results.

Topical Scar Treatments

Different types of topical (external) treatments, like gels and creams, can be used to reduce scarring. For example, silicone gel. While these may not eliminate scars fully, they are a non-invasive treatment option.

There are over-the-counter creams and gels that claim to reduce scarring. However, some treatments (like steroid creams) require a prescription. A dermatologist can recommend the best topical treatment option for you.

Getting a Scar Assessment

Getting a scar assessment can help you determine the treatments available to you. For people interested in scar revision surgery, this is usually the first step. Your provider will examine the area and may measure characteristics such as the height and thickness of the scars.

Most likely, your surgeon will want to know how long it has been since you last self harmed. Even though it can be hard to answer some questions, this is to ensure that surgical treatments are safe and achieve optimal results.

What are the Risks of Plastic Surgery for Scarring?

If you are a good candidate for surgery and want to pursue it, your doctor will review the possible risks and how to reduce them before your surgery date. Risks of plastic surgery for scarring can include, but are not limited to:

• Pain.
• Post-operative infections.
• Unfavorable results.

Many people are very happy with their procedures. It is critical to go into it knowing what to expect, how to navigate aftercare, and to have realistic expectations.

The Role of Mental Health Treatment for Self Harming Behaviors

Whether you currently self injure or are struggling with the effects of self harm scars, therapy can be advantageous. For example, if your scarring causes psychological challenges like low self-esteem, shame, and trouble with social activities, support from a therapist may be helpful.

Therapy is the main treatment for self harm. If you currently struggle with self harm, treatment can help you:

• Understand why you self harm.
• Build healthy coping skills
• Find alternative, non-harmful behaviors. 
• Identify, process, and express your feelings.
• Manage or treat co-occurring mental health disorders.

Therapy can also help people prevent relapse, cope with leftover scarring, and navigate concerns related to medical treatment for scars.

At Catalina Behavioral Health, we offer multiple levels of care for self harm and mental health. This includes inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient treatment programs.

What is the Connection Between Self Harm and Mental Illness?

People with mental disorders are at a higher risk of self harm. Some conditions associated with self harm include:

• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
• Eating disorders.
• Depression.
• Anxiety disorders.

These conditions can persist, even if you no longer self injure. Like self harm, all of these disorders are treatable.

How Do I Help a Friend or Family Member With Self Harm?

To support a loved one with self harm (who is not in immediate danger), show empathy. Avoid responding with judgment. Do not guilt them or get angry. Instead, let them know you are there for them. Self injury is complex, and it tends to serve a purpose in a person’s life.

You may encourage your loved one to get help and let them know that there’s no shame in what they’re going through. Overcoming self harm takes time, so make sure that you are patient with them. It is also important to take care of yourself.

Your loved one in treatment for self injury at our center will participate in group therapy, individual therapy sessions, and other activities. Family therapy sessions are offered as a part of our programs. These sessions can help you understand and support one another.

Reach Out to Catalina For Self Injury Treatment Support

Catalina Behavioral Health is a top-rated mental health treatment center in Arizona. We provide therapy for mental health difficulties ranging from mental disorders, like depression, substance use disorders, and anxiety disorders, to self harm.

Self harm can take different forms, and it can have a serious impact on your life. Getting compassionate, stigma-free treatment matters. We’re here to help you find resources and get the support you need.

Please call our admissions line for more information about our therapy programs in Tucson today. You are welcome to get in touch for yourself or someone you know, such as a friend or family member. All calls are confidential.

FAQs About Self Harm Scars

What is skin camouflage for self harm scars?

Skin camouflage usually refers to makeup products or permanent makeup tattooing used to make scarring less visible. In addition to surgery, laser therapy, and topical gels or creams, this is a treatment option for self injury scars.

How to remove keloid self harm scars?

Keloids are thick, raised scars that may be more noticeable than other types of scarring. They are the result of excessive collagen production. Surgery, laser therapy, and steroid injections can be used to treat keloid scars.

How to know if a self harm scar is infected?

Increased redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, pus, or drainage are common warning signs of an infection. It is important to seek immediate medical attention for a possible infection. However, some can be fatal or may result in complications like limb loss if left untreated.

How do you treat an infected self harm scar?

The appropriate treatment for infections can vary depending on the severity of the infection. Antibiotics may be required in some cases. Infections are almost always easily treatable, and the sooner you seek help, the better.

How long does it take for a SH scar to heal?

Sometimes, scars from self harm are permanent. However, they often fade, becoming paler and flatter, over the years. Some scars (e.g., hypertrophic scars) can remain red and raised. Treatment options are available to reduce the appearance of such scars.

References

1. Parkhouse, N., & de Vere Hunt, I. J. (2018, March 21). self harm scar revision. BMJ case reports.
2. From the *Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. (n.d.). Treatment of deliberate self harm scars with rotated… : Plastic and reconstructive surgery – global open. LWW.
3. Campos, M. B. S. (2025, April 6). Laser revision of scars. StatPearls [Internet].
4. Puri, N., & Talwar, A. (2009, July). The efficacy of silicone gel for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery.
5. What is self harm?. Cleveland Clinic. (2025p, October 16).
6. self harm. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2025, January 3).
7. Full article: Medical Skin Camouflage for women in prison with self harm scars (cover): Randomised Feasibility Study. (n.d.-q).
8. McGinty, S. (2023, July 17). Keloid. StatPearls [Internet].
9. Hypertrophic scar: What is it, causes, treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (2025j, August 13).