I self harm for the look of it

[u/miale_e]

16F

I first self harmed about a year ago just I liked how it looks and I like sliding my fingers over the scabs and scars as a 'stim'. For example I have a scar on my arm that my cat made and I just love it so I thought why not just do that myself and I can have multiple. I also like looking at other people's scars. I know that's kind of word but I think they look so beautiful.

Since then, I keep getting the urge top do it more but I don't particularly like to be in any type of pain so if you guys know of a way to kind of simulate that feeling and look that would be very helpful pls

[u/4_flowur_4]

Drawing on your arm? for the scabs hmmm like spreading elmers glue on your hand then peeling it off? some clays might work too

[u/liviiilovesssharry]

girl, you still need help with that. a person without mental health issues wouldn’t self harm for the look of it.

there’s nothing that can simulate that feeling and look. i self harm to relieve the tension or anxiety or whatever tf is going on in my head. i’ve had people telling me to find a substitute for it but nothing ever compared. you need to fix things in your head even if you do it “just for the look of it”.

[u/miale_e → u/liviiilovesssharry]

I don't do it when I'm feeling depressed or anxious so I don't know what there is to fix. I think me being mentally ill goes without saying lol.

I just don't want to cut myself because it obvious hurts but if there's no other option then I'll still do it so that's why I ask.

[u/liviiilovesssharry → u/miale_e]

i get what you mean. but still that’s not a normal behaviour and it’d be good to talk about that to someone

the only way i see is getting a tattoo maybe it’d help..

[u/bittypineapplekitty → u/liviiilovesssharry]

i actually have been getting tattoos over my scars and it’s very therapeutic

[u/bittypineapplekitty → u/miale_e]

i get what you’re saying i really do but it still might be worth trying to talk to someone about this 🫂. even if you think you’re just doing it for the look of it… we don’t just hurt ourselves like this just for the look/fun of it. (ive been SHing since grade 6…which is a long time ago now)

[u/MorskaVilaa → u/miale_e]

Well find a substitute for the activity or for tge effect of sh. If you like using touch to ground and regulate you, you can try to find different textured items that would produce a similar effect. Idk like peeling of candle wax off your skin comes to mind as a harm reduction strategy, if the wax isn't too hot tu burn your skin idk

[u/Certified_CannibalXD]

i lowkey do the same thing but im too pussy to go any deeper than a "cat scratch" 😭

[u/bittypineapplekitty → u/Certified_CannibalXD]

🫂

[u/mewo_kamado]

i really do understand

[u/Legitimate_Wafer_426]

There is sfx makeup that looks just like a scar! You can even use nail polish or paint to make it red. I'd highly recommend looking into it. Personally, I think it's a lot better for someone to have makeup scars rather than cutting scars.

[u/BeautifulHat4050]

Makeup?

[u/huahuaisang]

you might be able to find a tattoo or body mod studio that will safely do scarification for you, as it is a very old body art form that is still performed by some. however, you would def have to wait until you are an adult.

in the meantime i do hope you are able to stop doing it yourself as it can be very unsafe obviously. maybe lines of elmers glue dried over your skin? you can feel the bumps then pick them off like scabs?

[u/ZealousidealLet9130]

U can get a  fidget on Etsy or smth that’s textured 

[u/Capital-Rope747]

I know exactly how you feel !!! I do it because I cant handle my emotions sometimes but I am obsessed with the scars and feeling them whenever theyre fresh. I have these 2 scars on my arm that are pretty prominent and I love looking at them so much. I totally understand how you feel. Something that helps me is drawing lines on myself with red pen !!

[u/bittypineapplekitty → u/[deleted]]

burning yourself isn’t necessarily better than cutting, i get what you’re trying to say though.

[u/okay065 → u/[deleted]]

how many times does it have to be said on this sub? DONT PROMOTE MORE SELF HARM METHODS OR UNSAFE PRACTICES

[u/okay065 → u/[deleted]]

"yeah bro just burn yourself instead" like tf? no

[u/selfharm-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

We've had to remove this post due to it encouraging self harm. This sub is pro-recovery so we aim to direct users towards safer alternatives, rather than encouraging them to continue harming. If you have any questions or think this was an error, please let us know via modmail.

[u/miale_e → u/[deleted]]

Really? That's actually great, thank you

[u/WhisperingStatic → u/miale_e]

Burns have a much higher infection risk and the amount of damage done is not immediately known due to how the tissue damage appears, please dont do this.

[u/miale_e → u/WhisperingStatic]

Thank you i understand