Scars can result from a range of causes: accidents, surgery, and even acne. The resultant change in appearance can negatively affect body image and self-confidence. Scarring is stigmatised in society (PubMed) because of the premium placed on beauty – disfigurement or unsightly features are still used to portray evil in horror films, comic strips, and fairy tales. Many people describe scars as living with the trauma and sufferers can feel devalued by society.
We all have scars, and they might be emotional, physical or psychological and they will all affect people in different ways. The emotions surrounding the physical scars can also leak over into the emotional and psychological and cause people significant self image issues and lower self- confidence.
Reading on to learn more about body image, how scars impact psychologically and discovering an effective solution for scar management to be more positive.
What is body image?
Internal factors
Identity is constructed through social interactions, interpersonal relationships, and perception of one’s self-worth. It has a fine interplay with body image: the impression one forms of one’s physical self and any feelings that result from this view (Moss & Rosser 2012). Identity and body image affect behaviours and inform actions, as well as how individuals perceive each other.
External factors
Context is everything – society influences the worth placed on individuals. The media bombard the public with images of the “perfect body”, fuelling society’s current preoccupation with elevated beauty standards. This pressure can lead to anxiety and negatively impact quality of life, and its burden is particularly felt by young women. Anxiety and depression following scarring are more likely in those under 50 years old (Chahed et al. 2016).
The effects of scars on the mind
Research by psychologized.org shows the after care of people with burn scars or severe facial scaring could lead to depression in 13-23% cases and post traumatic stress in 13-45% cases. This can inevitably lead to a knock-on effect on self-confidence.
A survey preformed in 2003 (PubMed) shows a significant correlation with visible scars and how you feel you are perceived. The research suggests a healthy body image and high self-esteem can lead to you feeling good about yourself. However, it can go the other way and having a bad image of yourself is likely to lead to you having a negative outlook on how you look and therefore affect your mood.
Different people have different views on their scars. For example, people with cancer scars could be proud as they can signify the battle they have been through. On the other hand, people who have scars for other reasons such as cosmetic surgery or self-harm could feel embarrassed or feel like it makes people judge them and look at them differently.
A common problem that people with scars face is getting asked how they got them. People with scars that have a funny story behind them are less likely to feel uncomfortable about being asked about the permanent mark on their skin compared to someone who is more embarrassed about the reason they have it or feel too self-conscious to explain due to them not knowing the reaction of the person they are telling.
Another problem with scaring is that having a permanent reminder of an experience they have been through. This again can go both ways, either you could have a scar from a childhood memory or from a more traumatic experience that could effect you by viewing it on your skin daily.
Scars and attractiveness
But is it always the case that scars are a negative in people lives? A study implemented by ScienceDirect indicates that some women can find scars attractive and see them as creating the ‘bad boy effect’ where women are attracted to men who seem like they have been involved in a fight at some point. Having a facial scar doesn’t necessarily mean that they have been in a fight but this is the conclusion that is drawn when the women are asked where they got the scar.
Also in this study the results show that women actually rated men with facial scars as more desirable for a short term relationship than men without scars. And for all of those self-conscious women out there with facial scars the results also showed that there was no difference in attractiveness rating between women with facial scars and those without.
A clinically-proven solution for scar management
Ways people tackle their problems of having scars is covering them or by using a more effective and clinically-proven method such as silicone scar gel like Nourisil™ MD. Nourisil™ MD contains 5 different types of silicone and Vitamin E to help heal the scar. It also works on C-section scars, medical wounds, trauma and cosmetic surgery. Unlike other scar gels, Nourisil™ MD dries incredibly quickly (within 60 seconds) and works on new and old scars including keloid and hypertrophic. Another benefit of using this product is that it only takes a short time of 60-90 days to see a result. By using a product such as this it can help you regain self confidence and boost the way you feel about yourself!