Do People Care about Your Scars?

By Kim Hill

2 min read

I’ve had skin cancer and skin cancer surgery twice. Because of this, I have one kind of large scar under one eye, and a smaller scar below the other. Does it bother you to have skin cancer scars? And what about others - do people care about your scars?

I know I’m different from others. Scars don’t bother me. I’m not saying I want to look like Frankenstein’s Monster, but to me, some scars give you character. It means there’s an interesting story there, or something to talk about. In fact, when I use a few filters just to freshen up how I look, I’m always disappointed that most of them smooth out the scar so it’s not seen.

Everyone is different

I do know that not everyone thinks like I do. In fact, I remember my mother having the same surgery long before I did. She specifically asked the doctor if her nose would be okay. He assured her it would, but it didn’t. Until her death, she had a misshapen nose and significant scarring. And for her, she didn’t want to look that way, and I totally understood.

Trust your instincts

If you think that your doctor didn’t make you look how you wanted after surgery, trust your instincts and talk to another surgeon. Many Mohs surgeries will have a plastic surgeon on-hand. In fact, my first surgeon was a plastic surgeon, while the other surgery I had featured a plastic surgeon to work on how I looked after we were done.

Always ask your doctor if you are having any kind of invasive surgery. Find out if plastic surgery is an option that is offered, and if not, you may want to get another doctor. This is always your choice.

Do people care about your skin cancer scars?

That is a question not easy to answer. Some do, some are curious what happened, and some are rude enough to ask. Of course, I shouldn’t say all are rude, some don’t mean to be. I remember asking a model we did a shoot with about her facial scar. I was careful in how I asked so that she wouldn’t be offended - and she wasn’t. In fact she said she loved her scar, and it showed she’d survived something. In this case, it was a dog attack as a child. That scar didn’t change her beauty whatsoever.

You may not love your scars, and I understand that. While I don’t mind mine, not everyone feels that way. Perhaps it is a reminder of their skin cancer journey, or they feel it makes them less pretty or handsome. But your scars are a reminder of your success against skin cancer. Yet, if you’re not happy with it, please reach out to your doctor or someone who can help. You may find out that there are options and you’re not stuck with a look that you'd rather not have. Scars or not, we’re survivors, and every mark reminds me of that.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The SkinCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Randy Foege Member
My scars are a visible reminder of all the years I've spent outdoors sailing, skiing, bicycling, hiking, you name it. Proof of a life well lived and the scars are proof that I am taking steps to stay alive for my spouse, kids and grandkids. I'd prefer to NOT have scars or to be disfigured by these constant surgeries. I still have a lot of living to do.
bpgraham Member
I’m with Randy I have a large scar on my forehead. When I was younger we didn’t have sun screens. Sea and Ski was a moisturizer. I call it bar b que sauce. A friend of mine called my scar a badge of courage. I did earn it after all. I now have lost count of my scars. I am still alive and that means everything.
KarenLL Member
I have a long vertical scar on my cheek under my left eye. I am a woman so I feel like I should care, but I don’t. A scar for me is a visible sign of having survived through tough times. So often people have no idea what struggles others have.
CommunityMemberf28ea4 Member
My scar is not on my face but rather on the inside of my elbow. When people do notice they usually ask some version of "How did you burn yourself there?". I just smile and say it isn't a burn that's where I had surgery and a skin graft (it's actually pretty big) for melanoma. Most don't say another word but occasionally it opens a conversation. I only keep it covered with SPF clothing and sunscreen when outside exposed to the sun. A nine year old was the very first to ask when I was still bandaged and could not bend my arm. "What happened?" he asked, pointing to the bandaging. "I had a little surgery," I replied. In the most normal way he said, "Oh did you have cancer?" I replied that yes, I did but it was all gone now. "That's good." he said. That very normal reaction has stayed with me for 50 years now. He showed me how to have that conversation and his lesson has yet to fail me.
lindydancer Member
My melanoma was under my eye and not only do I have scars, but my eye droops. It's not the scarring for me but the mishappen half of my face and the pain of a watery, itchy eye. I've had numerous plastic surgeons try and prop it up. Some successful. Some not. But after 3 separate melanomas in the same place, my face is a bit of a mess. Hard to not see it.