Brown Scars that never go away

[Guest]

Hi, I am new to this site but am so happy I found it. I've been picking my skin for the past 5 years (I'm now 17). I started off picking at my face when I was 12 but now it's gotten so bad that I now pick my face, chest, back, inner thighs, basically anything I can. The scars on my back, and some on my chest, are so bad that I haven't let anyone see my back since I was 12. I've even gone so far as to not go to prom because I know that I will have to wear a spaghetti strapped dress or something. I get so depressed when I think about it but I just can't stop. Anyways, to make a long story short, I was wondering if anyone knows how to make these scars go away. The ones I have are dark brown and stay for litterally months. I'm supposed to be in my sister's wedding soon and part of me wants to find a way out as I know I will have to wear a backless dress in front of many many people. I have now grown my hair out so that it down to my butt just so that I can have something to hide my back with. If anyone has any suggestions please help!

[anotherpicker]

Try Nadinola skin discoloration fade cream. Make sure to get the "extra strength formula" Its usually at Kmart or a pharmacy store like Save-on or Walgreens, I would try Kmart first. I use it every night. It gradually fades the brown spots from picking. My next challenge is to stop picking so I dont keep having new ones form. Uggghh. Also Proactive has a line of acne products that are great. I have been using them for years. They also have a skin discoloration cream but it is much more expensive that Nadinola. It may be more potent. I don't know because I haven't tried it.

[Guest]

Thanks a lot for all the help! Would anyone happen to know how long it might take for me to get rid of my scars if I allow them to heal? I'm just hoping that I can possibly get rid of them by June. Best of luck to everyone out there trying to rid themselves of this addiction!

[sunshinefunk]

Sorry to say, but some might be there forever. They will eventually lighten on their own, but I've had some scars on my face for over a year. I've accepted that they will never be completely gone and I try not to make any new ones.

Way to grow out your hair. i should try that.....

Don't feel discouraged. I'm sure you are beautiful and the scars aren't as bad as you make them. Most people are so wrapped up in how they look, they won't even notice your imperfections.

Have fun in the wedding.
-sunshine-

[yikes]

Dear Guest
I believe at your tender age you can achieve complete fading of scars if you kick this nasty habit for good (big IF -- give it everything you've got). Your skin is very young and forgiving still. I know this because I am now 55. All picking I did until about 35 eventualy was invisible. But at my current age the skin heals very slowly and the scars are more evident because the skin has less oomph. Your scars should eventually fade to white (although is you are darked skinned they would then show faintly). I am not talking about deep acne scars though...those may be worse and I would see a dermatologist if you have those. Kick it now, young 'un...habits are harder to kick the longer you have them.

[amylou]

I have been using Proactiv's Skin Lightening Lotion..it lightens those spots to have them be more skin color and not stand out so much

[novabee]

I know this sounds silly (and probably wrong to a dermatologist...) but when i have to wear a dress I go tanning a couple of times before so that you can't see my scars on my back as much---also don't rule out makeup on your back! I've done that before!!

[amylou]

hey whatever helps!

[kimj]

I know how you feel. I have so many little scars on my chins and in two weeks I will be going to Mexico and I am so embarassed to wear shorts and bathing suits! I just went out and bought some self-tanning lotion to try to cover them up. I also bought the skin lightening cream, but it says it will not work for 6 to 8 weeks, so I guess I wont see how that works for a while. I have heard that tanning actually darkens scars, but I dont know if that's true. you can get really good make-up for covering them up like a concealer or something. I think you can even get make up thats espically made for covering scars. Good luck with everything. I hope I can find something for my legs too!

[lauryn]

if you are thinking about tanning see IS SUN GOOD FOR COVERING SCARS in the THERAPY/MEDS SECTION.

words of caution

also if you haven't already you might look into Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids, chemical peels, laser resurfacing intense pulse light treatment, etc.
big bucks stuff.

[kimj]

Yeah tanning actually darkens the scars I hear, but the self tanning lotion isn't a real tan. It is a spray you put on that just stains your skin darker temoprarily. The cheap ones make you look orange, but I bought a kind that looks like a real tan, but without all the sun damage. It actually does an okay job of blending in the scars. I recommend it.

[lauryn]

what kind did you buy?

[lauryn]

While it's always important to protect your skin from the sun's rays, it's especially important to cover up scars.

That's because sun damage to healing skin can last much longer than that weekend suntan.

A number of factors go into how visible a scar will be once the skin's healing process ends. Factors such as genetics and the nature of the wound cannot be controlled, but another factor -- care of the scar -- can, and one of the most important ways to care for a scar is to protect it from the sun.

Scars are particularly sensitive to sunlight and can sunburn faster than healthy skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Once a scar becomes sunburned, it can remain discolored or darkened and may not fade back to match the color of your healthy skin.

For that reason, if you've got a fresh scar, doctors advise avoiding exposing the wound to the sun altogether. Try wearing protective clothing such as shirts with long sleeves, long pants or large-brimmed hats.

If clothing doesn't cover the scar, make sure to use a sunscreen. Sun blocks that use zinc and titanium are recommended, but any sunscreens that have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater should be acceptable if applied frequently.

In addition to avoiding the sun, you can also take a proactive role in helping your scar heal by rubbing or massaging the wound for about five to 10 minutes twice daily. And if the wound required stitches, avoid rigorous activity such as contact sports or rough activities for about two weeks.

More information

The National Institutes of Health offers more useful information on caring for scar tissue and healing (www.nlm.nih.gov ).

[kimj]

The kind I bought is L'Oreal Subline Bronze Any Angle Self-Tanning Spray.

[lauryn]

thanks