Can Self Harm Scars Go Away? | What Fades, What Stays, What Helps

Many scars lighten and flatten over 6–24 months, but deeper marks can remain; the right care can still reduce color and texture.

Scars can feel like they shout, even when you’re trying to get through a normal day. If you’re here because you want them to fade, you’re not alone in that wish. The good news is that skin keeps changing. A lot. The tougher news is that scars are, by definition, a permanent change in the skin’s structure. So the real question becomes: how much can they fade, and what actually moves the needle?

This article sticks to the physical side: how scars change with time, what affects fading, what you can do at home that won’t backfire, and when medical care is worth it. It also includes a short safety note near the end, because sometimes the question about scars sits next to a harder day.

Can Self Harm Scars Go Away? What Fading Can Look Like

“Go away” can mean two different things. Some people mean “disappear completely.” Others mean “stop being the first thing I notice.” For most scars, full disappearance is rare. Visible softening is common.

Right after an injury heals over, a scar can look pink, red, or purple. That color often eases as blood flow in the area calms down. Texture can change too. Raised areas may slowly settle. Tight areas can loosen a bit as collagen remodels. On many bodies, this active remodeling window lasts months and can stretch into the second year.

For a plain, medically grounded overview of how scars behave, the NHS page on scars explains that scars can’t be removed fully, yet most fade with time.

What Controls How Much A Scar Fades

Two scars can start the same day and end up looking totally different. That’s not you “doing it wrong.” Scar appearance depends on a handful of factors that stack together.

Scar Depth And Skin Layers

Shallow injuries that stay closer to the surface can fade until they’re hard to spot. Deeper injuries change the deeper dermis. That’s where the skin’s scaffolding lives. When that scaffolding is rebuilt, it rarely looks exactly like before.

Scar Type

Common scar patterns include:

• Flat marks with color change more than texture change.
• Raised scars that sit above the skin line.
• Indented scars where volume is missing and the skin dips.
• Keloids that grow beyond the original injury edges in some people.

Time Since Healing

Scars usually change most in the first 6–24 months. After that, they can still shift, just slower. This is why “wait it out” can be real advice, as long as you’re also caring for your skin so the scar gets the best chance to settle.

Sun Exposure

Sun can make scars darker and keep contrast high. On lighter skin, scars can turn more noticeable brown. On deeper skin tones, hyperpigmentation can linger. Sun protection doesn’t erase a scar, but it can stop you from accidentally locking in color differences.

Genetics And Skin Tone

Some bodies form thicker scars. Some hold pigment longer. Some form keloids more easily. This isn’t about willpower. It’s biology.

Safe At-Home Steps That Can Help Scars Settle

If you want practical steps, start with the boring ones. They’re boring because they work and don’t cause drama.

Sun Protection For Color Blending

Daily sunscreen on exposed areas can reduce contrast between the scar and surrounding skin. If you don’t like sunscreen textures, try a lighter lotion-style SPF, or use clothing coverage when that’s easier.

Moisture And Gentle Massage After Full Healing

Once the skin is fully closed and no longer scabbed, keeping it moisturized can cut itch and tightness. Gentle massage can also help stiffness in some scars. Technique matters: slow pressure, not aggressive rubbing.

Cambridge University Hospitals shares a clear time-based view on how long fading can take and what massage can do in their scar massage information page.

Silicone Gel Or Silicone Sheets

Silicone is widely used for raised scars. It doesn’t “delete” a scar, but it can help soften and flatten some raised areas over time. It needs consistency for weeks.

Skip Harsh DIY Experiments

If something stings, burns, or peels your skin, it can leave more discoloration and texture change. That includes aggressive acids, home microneedling devices used without training, and “scar oils” that are heavy on fragrance.

Patch-Test Anything New

Even gentle products can irritate. Try a small amount on a nearby area for a few days before going all-in. If you see a rash, new itching, or swelling, stop and let the skin calm down.

When Medical Treatment Makes Sense

If you’ve given a scar time and basic care and it still bothers you, medical options can help, especially for raised scars, thick scars, and scars with texture changes. A clinician can also spot when something that looks like a scar is actually a different skin issue.

The American Academy of Dermatology’s scar treatment guidance breaks down how treatment choices depend on scar type and why getting the type right matters.

Options A Clinician Might Offer

• Prescription topicals for discoloration or texture, picked for your skin type.
• Steroid injections for raised scars or keloids in some cases.
• Laser treatments that target redness, pigment, or texture depending on the device.
• Microneedling done in a clinic setting for texture changes.
• Surgical revision for select scars, usually followed by careful aftercare.

None of these are magic. They’re tools. The best results usually come from matching the tool to the scar type, then giving it enough time to show change.

How To Pick The Right Approach By Scar Goal

People tend to want one of three outcomes: less color contrast, smoother texture, or less raised thickness. Your plan should match your goal, not a viral routine.

Goal One: Reduce Redness Or Darkness

Sun protection plus time does a lot here. If redness sticks around past the first year, vascular lasers can sometimes reduce it. If the issue is darker pigment, treatments may differ by skin tone, since irritation can trigger more pigment in some people.

Goal Two: Smooth Texture

Indented scars usually need treatments that change the deeper structure: microneedling, lasers, fillers, or a mix. Raised scars often respond better to silicone and injections.

Goal Three: Improve Comfort

Scars can itch, feel tight, or feel oddly sensitive. Moisture, gentle massage after healing, and clinician-guided care can reduce that discomfort. If a scar is hot, swollen, painful, or draining, treat that like a medical problem right away.

What To Watch For So You Don’t Make Scars Worse

Some scar setbacks happen because the skin gets irritated again and again. Try to avoid these common traps:

• Picking or scratching when the area itches.
• Over-exfoliating to “force” fading.
• Using strong actives on skin that still gets dry or reactive.
• Skipping sun protection while trying pigment treatments.

Also watch your timeline expectations. If you try three new products in one week, you won’t know what helped, and irritation can set you back.

Progress Markers That Tell You It’s Working

Scar change is slow, so it helps to know what “good progress” looks like. Here are real markers that can show up over months:

• Color shifts from red/purple toward lighter pink, then closer to your baseline tone.
• Edges look less sharp against surrounding skin.
• Raised areas feel softer and less firm.
• Itch and tightness show up less often.
• Makeup or self-tanner sits more evenly if you use them.

If you want to track change without getting stuck staring at it daily, take a photo once a month in the same light. Same distance. Same angle. Then move on with your day.

Table: Scar Types, Typical Changes, And Common Care Routes

Scar Type Or Pattern	What Often Changes With Time	Care Routes Often Used
Flat, darker mark	Color lightens slowly; contrast can linger	Sun protection, pigment-safe topicals, clinician-guided options if persistent
Flat, lighter mark	May stay lighter than surrounding skin	Sun protection to reduce contrast; camouflage cosmetics if desired
Raised scar	Can soften and flatten over months	Silicone gel/sheets, massage after healing, injections or lasers in clinic
Keloid	May grow beyond original edges	Clinician care often needed: injections, lasers, pressure-based approaches, selected procedures
Indented scar	Texture changes tend to persist	Clinic treatments that affect deeper layers: microneedling, lasers, fillers, combinations
Wide scar	May stretch and look broader	Silicone early, sun protection, clinician review if bothersome
Tight or sensitive scar	Can loosen; sensitivity can ease	Moisture, gentle massage after healing, clinician care if pain or limited movement
New scar under 3 months	Color and thickness still shifting fast	Sun protection, gentle care, avoid harsh actives, consider silicone if raised risk

How Long Does It Take Before You Know What You’re Left With

Many scars settle into a more stable look between 12 and 24 months. That doesn’t mean nothing changes after that. It means the fastest remodeling window has passed.

If a scar is still shifting, you may notice:

• Color changing month to month
• Texture slowly smoothing
• Raised areas getting less firm

If you’re past the two-year mark and the scar still bothers you, that’s a solid time to talk with a dermatologist or GP about targeted options, since you’re no longer waiting on rapid natural change.

Covering Scars Without Irritating Your Skin

Some days you’ll want to cover them. No big speech needed. If you use makeup or body products, comfort comes first.

Cosmetic Cover Tips

• Use fragrance-free moisturizer under makeup to reduce cling.
• Pick a flexible body concealer that dries down, then set lightly.
• If the scar is raised, dab rather than drag.

Self-Tanner Notes

Self-tanner can reduce contrast for lighter scars. Patch-test first. Raised scars can grab more pigment and look darker in spots, so start light and build slowly.

When A Scar Needs Medical Attention

Most scars are harmless. Some changes mean you should get checked.

• New swelling, warmth, or pus
• Rapid growth beyond the scar edges
• Persistent pain
• Restricted movement from a tight scar

Those signs can point to infection, a problematic scar pattern, or another skin issue that needs care. The NHS also flags these types of symptoms in their guidance on scars.

Table: A Simple Decision Map For Next Steps

If This Is Your Main Issue	Try This First	Get Checked If
Red or pink scar	Daily sun protection; gentle moisture	Redness stays intense past a year or the area is hot/painful
Dark mark	Sun protection; avoid irritating actives	Color keeps deepening or you get frequent irritation
Raised scar	Silicone gel or sheets; gentle massage after healing	It grows, stays hard, or itches badly for months
Indented texture	Time, sun protection, gentle routine	You want texture change fast or it affects how you feel day to day
Tight or sensitive area	Moisture; slow massage after healing	Movement is limited or pain persists
Uneven tone from sun	Cover up or SPF daily	Freckling or new spots appear in the scar
Any scar with drainage	Stop topical experiments	Same day medical care is needed

If This Question Is Tied To A Hard Moment

If you feel at risk of hurting yourself, or you’ve already been hurt and don’t feel safe, get urgent help right now. Call your local emergency number. If you’re in the U.S., you can call or text 988 any time.

If you’re outside the U.S., look up your country’s crisis line or emergency number. If making a call feels like too much, going to an emergency department can also work. You deserve immediate care in moments like that.

What You Can Realistically Expect Over The Next Year

If your scars are still in that first two-year window, you have a solid chance of seeing meaningful softening and color change with steady care and sun protection. If your scars are older, you can still get change, just through more targeted options like clinic-based treatments or careful cosmetic blending.

Pick one goal first: color, texture, or comfort. Build a routine you can stick with. Give it time. Then reassess with clear markers like photos taken monthly, not daily mirror checks.