A person’s skin tells the story of their life. Wrinkles and scars become part of who they are. However, scars can have a negative emotional impact. While the scar shows the body working to heal itself, the underlying damage may still affect the individual.
Psychological Impact of Scars
Many people today turn to scar resurfacing because they don’t like the appearance of scars. They see the scar as a reminder of a traumatic event in their life, and they want this reminder removed. Every time they see it, they may experience emotions related to that traumatic event. Scars can affect their self-esteem and mental health. They are a tangible mark of a difficult period in their lives.
Social Reactions
Many individuals react when they see a scar on another person. This reaction may be overt or subtle, but it is present, and the individual with the scar May pick it up on it. The person viewing the scar may ask questions about it, show pity for the individual, or even appear uncomfortable with the scar. This may lead to the individual becoming extremely sensitive about their scar because they worry about how someone will react when they meet. The reactions of others can affect their behaviour, confidence, and social interactions.
Negative Feelings
Some people view their scars as a source of pride. They suffered a traumatic experience and survived, and they view it as a symbol of their resilience. However, others might see these scars as a source of embarrassment. They’re ashamed of the scars, which makes them self-conscious. These men and women internalize the negative feelings, and their self-esteem suffers. They may also experience other mental health challenges.
The Relationship Between Physical and Emotional Scarring
A person with a scar may bring back memories of the traumatic event every time they see the scar, which can lead to emotional distress. Thanks to the scar’s presence, they may find it hard to recover and heal from the traumatic event. While the physical healing may be completed, the emotional healing can take much longer.
People often view a scar as a physical mark on the body. However, this scar is actively conversing with the brain. Viewing the scar sets off a cycle where the person remembers the events that traumatize them. This then changes their perception of themselves. They begin the healing process, see the scar again, and it starts anew.
The scar may also impact other areas of their life. For example, it may cause them pain when they walk. They then adjust their gait, which can lead to other physical issues. They may end up with a movement disorder or persistent pain syndrome. These problems can lead to more emotional issues.
Rehabilitation, along with scar resurfacing, can help these individuals. Scar resurfacing minimizes the appearance of the blemish, and rehabilitation helps them overcome any side effects associated with the scar. Finding the right professionals to handle both tasks is essential to ensure the individual achieves the highest level of recovery possible. They can move on and have a higher quality of life, knowing that they have dealt with the traumatic experience the best that they can.
