Post Surgery Problems :(

[tamallama]

Okay so I had to have emergency surgery back in April and while I'm fine and healed now I have 3 very noticeable scars on my stomach that I'm very self conscious about. None of my current tops cover them and I don't want a full shirt length top but I'd like to cover them up somehow. Makeup doesn't work well. I've tried. They are located under my bust line, directly below my belly button, and on the right side of my stomach a few inches over from my belly button. Any thoughts/suggestions?

[Mermaid Jaffa]

One piece or tankini swimsuit.

[Luna Dreamtide]

How about a sheer skin tone top under your existing top. Like something that will tuck into you tail and top to avoid notice.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Okay so I had to have emergency surgery back in April and while I'm fine and healed now I have 3 very noticeable scars on my stomach that I'm very self conscious about. None of my current tops cover them and I don't want a full shirt length top but I'd like to cover them up somehow. Makeup doesn't work well. I've tried. They are located under my bust line, directly below my belly button, and on the right side of my stomach a few inches over from my belly button. Any thoughts/suggestions?
I'm so sorry! It's good that you've healed, but I know scars can be really awful for the self-esteem. There are some oils and creams that you can use to diminish scars naturally to an extent. That should certainly help, but it will take time. In the meantime, just remember that they make you uniquely you (I know that's not much of a consolation, but it helps me with mine)!

I'll be praying they heal up really well and that you can feel confident no matter what you wanna wear! :)

[SIF]

Make up a story about where they came from. You battled a giant squid, to save it's captive whale dinner and the whale's pectorals cut you a little, something like that. Or, remember that they make you strong. Try going to a costuming shop and buying some scar wax or liquid latex. You can pair them with a little eye-shadow in the colour of your scars and become the warrior you are in the human world, as a mer. Play around with them, whimsically, and they'll stop seeming so ominous I promise.

[Celaeno]

Maybe adding a flowy fishnet extension to one of your existing tops? The scars will fade with time, and some fishnet with seaweed/shells/sparkly bits could disguise and distract from them in the meantime. If you chose to go the activist route, you could work them into your backstory to teach about the dangers boat propellers pose to marine life.

[Winged Mermaid]

I'm glad to hear that you're all healed, but sorry to hear that the scars are giving you issues. I love all the ideas in the comments above!
I understand if you're not ready to embrace them yet, but try and give yourself some self love for all you went through!

I've seen mers wear one piece bathing suits and/or tankinis with their shell tops over top of them to cover their stomach. I bet you could even make something out of lycra, and embellish it with pearls, netting, or whatever you want! I've also seen mers wear underbust corsets for dry gigs with their shell bras. For wet gigs I bet you could get away with just having some fabric or netting dangling off of your top to draw the eye away from them.

I also had surgery in April, and I'm fading my scar already by applying a salve with comfrey in it every night. It's really great for that! You can find places that sell such salves online. I was looking at buying this stuff (https://www.etsy.com/listing/225757155/just-comfrey-salve-2oz-root-and-leaf?ref=favs_view_23) after I run out of the stuff I have, since it has the root and leaf (organic) plus vitamin E oil. Also hot castor oil packs (organic, cold pressed) have a lot of great success stories about fading scars- I plan to try that soon myself!

[tamallama]

Wow. Thank you so much everyone. I wasn't expecting so many responses.
I'm currently using a scar fading cream and vitamin E so hopefully it will make a difference.
I am planning on making a new top soon so I will play around with dangly nets and such.
Funny story, when I had my surgery I wasn't told anything other than the basic "you're going into surgery". No explanation of what they were going to do etc. So when I first woke up from the anesthesia I was really out of it still and I looked down and the first thing I did was cry and turn to my mom and boyfriend and say I got hit by a boat propeller (which I didn't btw). My boyfriend laughed so hard he almost peed himself before he explained to me that I didn't get hit by a boat propeller. So maybe if kids do notice I can use that story.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

I have one rather long scar on my side that kids (rarely) ask about. I tell them that I was snagged by a nasty fish hook, but got away. They think it's cool and then move on. It doesn't really phase them.

[Freshwater_Nim]

Hey Tamallama, I just wanted to add that I agree with the kids and Lorelei's attitude. Scars are cool! Seriously. Personally I think they're a medal of difficulties mastered and mean you're not only pretty but also a total badass! In my eyes, that's what mermaids are: Lovely and tough. Fair and strong.

Ergo; Your scars totally rock. <3

[telzey.amberdon]

Can you use make up to make them more like a shark bite?

[Dancing Fish]

I've got scarring from lung surgery, too. I was self conscious about it for awhile, but I decided not to worry about it. Like folks have said, it makes for a great story if people ask, and mostly they don't. They'll be looking at your tail! :)

[Mermaid Enora]

If you're interested in using make up to cover the scars dermablend works really well. I use it to cover some of my vitiligo but it's marketed to cover varicose veins tattoos and scars in addition to vitiligo.
It also stays on well underwater.

[tamallama]

Thank you everyone. I do use makeup on them and it helps a little. I constructed my new tops to cover them up a little as well. I call them my boat propeller scars jokingly to my friends so IF a kid ever does ask I guess that's what I'll say. lol <3