Maybe you got hurt while shaving or the knife you used slipped while cooking in the kitchen. Accidents can result in injuries that you want to hide. You also the possibility that you intentionally hurt yourself. If this is the case, when other people become aware of the injury it may increase your feelings of stress and emotional upheaval. Proper care of the wound itself should always be the first step in minimizing the appearance of the wound; after that, you can try different tactics to hide the injuries on your body and face. If you do something that injures or endangers yourself, it is important that you seek help. You are someone of value and worth.
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Method 1 of 5: Treating the Injured Area
Step 1. Evaluate the wound
Is the wound less than 1/2 cm deep? Did the cut come from a fairly clean source like your kitchen knife or razor? Are the edges of the wound straight enough? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," you may be able to treat the wound yourself. See a doctor for treatment if the wound falls into any of the following categories:
- The skin is torn in large areas, the cut is rough or gaping, or you can see bone, tendon or muscle from the wound.
- The wound is a stab wound or the object that hurt you is made of rusty metal. You will need a tetanus shot if the last shot you received was more than five years ago.
- You can't remove all the dirt and debris from the wound.
- The wound was from a human or animal bite.
- The place where you hurt feels numb.
Step 2. Wash your hands thoroughly
Cleaning your hands with warm water and soap will prevent infection. Consider wearing disposable protective gloves if available -- and especially if you're caring for someone else's wound.
Step 3. Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding
Most minor cuts will stop bleeding on their own. If it doesn't stop immediately, use medical gauze or a clean cloth and press firmly on the wound until the bleeding stops.
- Be aware that cuts to the hands or head can bleed more than other places because there are more blood vessels in these areas of the body.
- Seek medical help if you cannot stop the bleeding after a few minutes.
Step 4. Rinse the injured area with clean water
You can wash the area around the wound with soap and water. However, do not let any soap get into the wound itself because it can cause irritation and pain.
Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, iodine or rubbing alcohol to rinse the wound. Medical professionals decided that these materials were unnecessary and could cause irritation to your wound
Step 5. Clean the dirt debris that is on the wound
Rinse a tweezer with rubbing alcohol then use it to remove debris such as gravel or wood chips.
Step 6. Apply topical antibiotics
A thin layer of antibiotic ointment will help protect the wound, prevent infection and keep the wound moist to promote more effective healing.
- Be aware that using an antibiotic ointment doesn't actually speed up the healing process.
- Some people have skin that is sensitive to the ingredients in antibiotic ointments. If you notice a moderate rash, stop using the ointment.
Step 7. Consider using a liquid bandage
If available, a liquid bandage is a great way to seal cuts and abrasions and protect them from infection. Bring the sides of the wound together with your fingers and apply the liquid bandage evenly over the wound.
Step 8. Cover the wound
Use a bandage, medical gauze and a plaster or liquid bandage to cover your wound. These tools will keep the wound clean and help you avoid infection.
- Minor cuts or abrasions may be left open, as exposing the wound to air will aid healing.
- Liquid bandage products seal your wound after one use. A liquid bandage is applied by sweeping a bandage solution over the wound (which has been completely cleaned) and left for some time to dry and form a seal. The liquid bandage is waterproof, will last for a few days and will come off on its own once the wound has healed. Avoid rubbing or scraping where the bandage is attached.
Step 9. Change the bandage regularly
This step should be done at least once a day or whenever the bandage gets wet or soiled. If you are allergic to adhesive bandages, consider using paper tape, gauze rolls or loose elastic bandages.
Step 10. Always be on the lookout for infection
If you notice swelling, unusual tension, redness, red streaks, a warm temperature or discharge from the wound area, see a doctor. These are usually signs of infection.
Method 2 of 5: Covering the Wounds on Your Body
Step 1. Wear long sleeves or long pants
If you have cuts or abrasions on your arms and legs, a long-sleeved shirt or long pants are an easy way to hide them without being too obvious. Women can consider light clothing and disguises such as lacy tops, burnout fabrics, long skirts, capri pants or knee-length shorts.
Wear a clean bandage under your clothes so it doesn't rub against the wound and cause irritation
Step 2. Put on a bracelet or watch
If you have a cut on your wrist area, a large bracelet or watch will help cover it. Wear a bandage under the accessory to protect the wound from irritation.
Step 3. Use makeup to cover minor cuts and abrasions
If you have minor cuts or abrasions on your arms and legs, such as cat scratches, you can use make-up to cover them up. Choose makeup that has a base color of brown and olive for a more fitting result on the skin.
- You can use an eyeliner and concealer brush that is slightly darker than your skin tone to apply to the area.
- Do not apply make-up to fresh wounds or deep wounds, as this can lead to infection.
Step 4. Make your bandage a fashion accessory
Buy bandages with cute patterns or patterns to "hide" your wound from view. Your favorite cartoon character or favorite motif can also help improve your mood.
Method 3 of 5: Covering the Wounds on Your Face
Step 1. Rinse the wound with cold water
Do not use soap and do not rub your face with a washcloth because the skin on your face is usually very thin and irritated easily. Instead, gently splash cold water on your face.
Step 2. Apply ice cubes on the injured area
The coldness of the ice will help shrink the blood vessels and allow bleeding in the wound to stop.
Eye drops such as Visine can have a similar effect
Step 3. Apply lip balm or nick gel (gel applied to razor cuts) on the wound
Although "balsam for razor cuts" is available in the market, regular lip balms can also be used. These products help seal the wound and prevent it from becoming infected. Allow these products to dry for a few minutes.
Use a colorless and unflavored lip balm for best results. You can also use unscented petroleum jelly
Step 4. Apply concealer on the wound area
Choose a concealer that is the same color or one shade lighter than your skin.
- Use a cotton ball or an eyeliner brush to gently apply the concealer over the center of the wound.
- Blend the concealer by patting the brush over the wound, or use your fingers to blend the concealer out around the edges of the wound.
- Finish the concealer with powder. Choose a clear or colorless powder so it doesn't draw attention to the injured area. Use a sponge or powder brush to pat the powder over the wound and then blend it by sweeping it in a circular motion.
Method 4 of 5: Using Topical Products that Minimize Scars
Step 1. Use sunscreen
Sunscreen with zinc or titanium dioxide will block UVA and UVB rays which can cause all scars to become hyperpigmented or discolored as a result of sun exposure.
Step 2. Apply petroleum jelly
While many companies sell expensive creams that claim the ingredients will reduce scars, few have proven that products based on vitamin E or cocoa butter work better than simple petroleum jelly. The key to reducing scar formation is keeping your scab moist and petroleum jelly does this job well.
Step 3. Consider buying silicone gel sheeting
This product is available at various pharmacies and is worn daily. Keep in mind that silicone sheets are not a short-term solution; Silicone gel sheets should be worn for at least three months for optimal results.
Method 5 of 5: Overcoming the Habit of Hurt Yourself
Step 1. Understand why you hurt yourself
The habit of self-harm usually appears during adolescence, although some children start doing this as early as 11 or 12 years old. Knowing what caused you to self-harm can provide some clues for you to seek help.
- Very strong and overflowing emotions. Does self-harm feel like the only way you can express or stop feelings that are too big to ignore? Do you feel pressure to be perfect or as if you can never live up to a standard? Do you feel other people are putting you under unbearable pressure? Does self-harm help you "feel" the pain that comes from other traumas in your life?
- The need to focus the pain on something specific and visible. Do you feel like you need to have control over the source of your pain? Can self-harm replace the invisible but very real pain inside you?
- Gives a feeling of relief. Do you feel relieved when you hurt yourself? You may enjoy endorphins, which are hormones released during strenuous physical activity and injury. Also, actually "seeing" the manifestation of your emotional pain can give you a sense of relief.
- Feeling addicted to self-harm. Do you feel as though you have formed a habit of causing harm? Does it take more than self-harm to achieve that same sense of relief?
- Other mental health problems. Are you experiencing symptoms of another mental health problem such as depression, bipolar disorder, or another personality disorder? Are you experiencing post-traumatic stress?
- Social pressure. Have other people influenced you to try to hurt yourself? Do you self-harm to gain recognition from a friend or to be accepted by a group?
Step 2. Get help
If you have a habit of self-harm for any of the reasons described, you should seek treatment. Your health and well-being is very important. Talk to a trusted friend, a loved one, or consider seeing a counselor at a school or health center -- wherever you feel safe.
- Build a habit of having a "stop self-harm day" and seek help from family and/or friends to keep you committed.
- Replace it with positive habits. If, for example, you find yourself experiencing a sense of relief through self-injury, put on your sneakers when the urge to self-harm arises and get out of the house to exercise. Can you replace the rush of endorphins from self-harm with the rush of endorphins from jogging? If friends pressure you into self-harm, leave the person and situation behind by joining a new club or activity.
- Get therapeutic treatment to address the underlying factors that contribute to self-harm. The therapist will help you understand why you are hurting yourself and work with you to find better ways to deal with the source of your stress and emotional turmoil. The therapists will also be able to diagnose underlying mental health illnesses that may be influencing your desire to harm yourself.
- Consider the help of a rehab center for self-harm disorder if you are really struggling with this medical condition. You will find support and friendship in this group and can build valuable tips for dealing with mental problems.
Step 3. Realize that you are very valuable
It is important that you are fully committed to overcoming the habit of self-harm. A therapist can help you develop positive habits for dealing with emotional problems and tips for being aware of the amazing qualities you present to the world. You are someone of value.
