[Kotomi]

I am an ex-cutter just to let you all know...

Okay, I am scared out of my mind right now. I have scars all over my wrists and upper thighs. On the fourth of July I am going swimming at my relative's house. Now, my parents are aware of my ex-cutting and know about my scars. But the rest of my family doesn't. I asked my Mom what to do if my family saw my scars and she just shrugged it off and told me to tell them it was from a pet. What am I supposed to do, walk around with my scars on display? I'm still very uncomfortable about other people seeing my scars and I know it will kill my Grandma to see all the scars on me. THEY JUST WON'T GO AWAY. How do I hide the scars? As if summer is not already a huge problem to me... Tanning lotion, a longer swimming suit, not going swimming, and makeup is out of the question.. I'm so scared right now, I wish I had known the consequences before cutting..

[phoenix7]

yes me too - i used to cut where it wasnt seen - then i mae a lot of marks on my arms and i have to wear short sleeves for work - sighs - i passed them off as mosquito bites - i dont know if they believed me i said i had an allergic reaction to the bites and thats why the scars - its times like these we all wish we hadnt made our bodies marked

i dont really kno what to say to you - can you wear a long sleeved T shirt over your swimmers?

see the local chemist and see if they have waterproof makeup? or just say you fel in some bushes dunno this is the hardest part isnt it - the cutting is easy - facing up to the marks and the effeccts of it later is the hard part

I hope you are managing not to cut anymore

maybe the pet thing will work - or a stray?

vitamin E cream is good for scars but takes a long time

i hope youll let us nknow how you go ok

gentle hugs to you

[Ygrec23]

Dear Kotomi,

Why not tell them you're sick that day, that it's not infectious, but that because of it you can't go swimming? And busily volunteer to help in the kitchen or with toddlers or something else that will keep you in the house and not at the poolside. Always with a smile, of course!

Hope this helps!

Take care.

[Kotomi]

Thanks guys, but you were too late, unfortunately.. I ended up wearing makeup but it washed off so I had to hide my wrist and legs as desperately as possible. /:

[lxegirl]

me too. i usually wear a lot of bracelets, or maybe just a cuff i wear all the time, and i "forget" to take it off when i go swimming. Well my scars are fading a bit now so i don't use it as much. for the legs, maybe wear shorts in the water and tell ppl ur self concious about your thighs. or just go with the pet story, it could be somewhat believable. Say you have a cat with sharp nails, and you scar easily. Idk :/

[Mike_J]

This may sound unhelpful, but why hide them? My scars are part of me, just like my green eyes, if someone isn't willing to see the person behind the scars, then are they really worth worrying about? I say NO. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying my scars are a good thing, and I would never encourage anyone to SI ever, but what is done is done. Don't hide your scars, learn from them.