📸 Self-Harm Scar Laser Treatment: Before & After Photos of Hesitation Marks | [Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon]

Hesitation marks on the arms or wrists are more than just scars; they are traces that can make one feel self-conscious about clothing or relationships for a long time. The first question we hear is almost always the same: "Can this scar really fade?" To answer directly, hesitation marks, like other scars, are subjects of medical treatment, and cases of noticeable improvement depending on the condition have been reported.

Hesitation marks (self-harm scars) refer to traces left on the skin from repeated injury and healing. Also called self-harm scars, they commonly appear as multiple lines on thin-skinned areas like the wrists and inner arms. The core principle is that collagen does not align evenly during wound healing, resulting in a different color and texture from the surrounding skin.

Scars vary in texture depending on their depth, shape, and color, and the appropriate treatment approach also differs.

Even with the same hesitation marks, their appearance varies depending on how much time has passed and how they healed within the skin. The table below shows common scar types for understanding them.

In the consultation room, patients commonly express a few shared concerns: whether the scar will completely disappear, if the marks will become more prominent, and how long recovery will take. It helps to understand scars not as something to "erase" but as something to "refine and lighten" to be closer to the surrounding skin. The degree of improvement may vary from person to person.

Reviewing information on improving surgical scars or cosmetic surgery scar management can also help broaden your understanding of scars.

For questions, inquire via chat consultation for hesitation mark scar treatment

We've compiled items that are good to check yourself before deciding on treatment.

• Examine how long the scar has been present, and what its color and depth are.
• Understand that treatment often involves multiple sessions and observation, rather than a single treatment.
• Be aware that post-treatment care, such as UV protection and moisturizing, can affect the outcome.
• Inform the medical staff in advance about your skin characteristics, such as a tendency for keloids.
• Clearly define your desired goals and share them with the medical staff during the consultation.

Organizing these points in advance can make the consultation much smoother.

For linear scars like hesitation marks, we consider methods that refine the surface texture and methods that directly address the scar tissue, tailored to the condition. If depressions are prominent or the scar is wide, approaches like Surgical Scar Revision may be considered, and precise surface rearrangement methods such as Mild Pinhole or Pinhole Alpha may also be discussed.

Determining the right approach requires direct examination of the scar, making it difficult to conclude based solely on photos.

Post-treatment care is as important as the treatment itself. Newly healed skin is vulnerable to irritation, so habits like avoiding UV exposure and adequate moisturizing can influence the outcome. Furthermore, scars gradually settle over time, requiring patience to observe changes over several months rather than making hasty judgments.

The before-and-after photos in this article are unretouched, actual records of individuals who received hesitation mark removal at Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon. However, as results may vary individually even with the same treatment, we recommend confirming the appropriate approach for you through consultation with a dermatologist.

Finally, one piece of advice: scars are certainly a medical condition that can be lightened and refined, and deciding to address them is itself a meaningful step towards recovery.

Representative Director Lee Sang-Joo (MD, PhD, Yonsei University College of Medicine and Graduate School; completed dermatology residency at Severance Hospital; President of the Korean Dermatological Association) Representative Director Lee Sang-Joo's Profile First Published 2024-05-16 / Last Reviewed 2026-06-16

This content is for general informational purposes only. Scar conditions and treatment results may vary from person to person, so please consult with medical staff for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.