How to Cover up Scars

Try a different hairstyle.

Cover any scars on your forehead, ears, or neck with a new do. Look for a new hairstyle you can try that conceals your scar. Keep an eye out for styles on fashion blogs, or you can also consult your stylist who will likely have suggestions on a style that suits you as well as covers the scar.

Hide scars under clothing.

Long sleeves and pants work for scars on your arms and legs. Choose a few pieces that are long enough to cover the scars you want to hide. Just make sure not to roll up your sleeves or pants so you don’t accidentally reveal your scar.

Wear jewelry.

Bracelets, watches, and rings work well for hand or wrist scars. Find something that’s wide enough to cover your scar so it’s completely hidden. Since these are fun accessories, you can have a few different options to switch between.

Rub in a scar-reducing cream.

Creams work best on flat scars that are less than 2 years old. For recent and especially light scars, you should begin with creams proven to reduce the appearance of scars. Pick a product containing healing ingredients such as quercetin, petrolatum, and vitamin C. Equally as important is minimizing a scar’s exposure to sunlight. Scar tissue does not react to sunlight the same way as normal tissue, so exposing a fresh scar to sunlight can permanently darken a scar, making it more apparent.

Apply concealing makeup.

Match your skin tone so your scar blends in. There are various makeups available on the market that can temporarily hide a scar. Test the makeup or cream on your skin to see if you need to blend any colors for the desired effect. Matching your skin tone can be a challenge for someone who isn’t familiar with the process. Try asking a consultant at a department or specialty store’s beauty counter for tips. Learning how to apply concealer can also take some practice. Follow the steps outlined at Apply Concealer to learn how. You can use color-correcting kits underneath the actual concealer which gives a better final result.

Use a scar-camouflaging kit.

These kits form a paste to cover up deeper scars. For deeper scars or instances when you need longer-lasting concealment than regular makeup may provide, you can look into specialty scar-camouflaging kits that contain a mixture of adhesive creams and powders. These tend to last much longer than regular makeup. You can often find these kits sold at any beauty supply shop, drugstore, or salon.

Try concealing or micropore tape.

This matches your skin tone and blends your scar in. Some thin, skin-tone specific concealing tapes are on the market as well. These products are best used by cutting the adhesive to match the general shape of your scar so that it blends in with the rest of your skin.

Consult a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon.

A cosmetic surgeon will have several suggestions you can try. Certain older scars and especially raised or keloidal scars may require more effective cosmetic surgery to remove or reduce. Schedule an appointment so you can find the best course of action.

Consider a chemical peel.

Peels are especially effective for reducing acne scars. A chemical peel is a basic procedure wherein a chemical mixture is applied to the affected area, causing several of the top layers of skin to dry up and peel off. The skin peels over several days, and it is considered a minor procedure.

Try camouflage tattooing.

Surgeons tattoo older scars with your skin tone to match the colors. With advances in technique over the last several years, camouflage tattooing is a solid way to reduce the appearance of scars. The process is highly similar to that of getting a normal tattoo, often with imperceptible results. Scars should be at least two years old before undergoing camouflage tattooing to ensure they are fully healed. If conventional tattoos are more your style, you can cover scars with those as well. Consult your tattoo artist for the best type of design to cover your specific scar size, location, and color.

Get microdermabrasion.

This works best on acne and hyperpigmented scars. Like a chemical peel, this method removes the outermost layer of dead skin from the abraded area; however, instead of a chemical mixture, the process is completed with a flow of fine, medical-grade crystals. The finished product is a subtle difference, but it is effective.