How to Cover a Scar With Makeup [Full Coverage] 2023

Searching for the easiest way to cover a scar with makeup? So grab your makeup kit, and let’s get you covered. There is a story to every scar on our bodies. Some of them we can laugh about (like the time I drunkenly misjudged the depth of a pool, ending up with a whopper of a scar on my forehead. Others may mortify us.

While sometimes we can mitigate the appearance with lasers, it is cheaper and easier to cover with makeup. In this article, I will share with you the best ways to cover up different types of scars with makeup to help you feel flawless.

Can You Put Makeup On A Scar?

First, let’s get one thing straight. While yes, you can absolutely put makeup over a scar without any lasting effects, you should never put makeup on over an open or healing wound.

The chemicals in the product could interfere with the healing of the skin and may even cause more damage than there was before!

Only when the wound is closed, and the skin is healing should you use makeup. Also, different scars will require different products and different techniques. A raised scar must be treated differently than an indented scar, and so forth.

How Do You Cover Up A Raised Scar With Makeup?

Raised scars, also known as hypertrophic or keloid scars, can be caused by a multitude of things including (but not limited to) surgical incisions, piercings, acne, burn wounds, or chickenpox.

They look and feel raised because the thick tissue has grown out and up. Also, they can be pink, red, skin-colored, or even much darker than skin tone. They are often shiny and hard and tend to be more common in darker pigmented skin and in people between the ages of 10 and 30.

Coverage for these scars can be a bit tricky, but certainly not impossible! To cover a raised scar, you will want to use a layering method with your full-coverage, long-wear foundation.

You’ll also want to match the color of the scar with color-correcting concealer. If it’s a “filling” concealer, even better. These are thicker and heavier, providing you with more coverage.

Follow the steps below to cover your raised scar:

Cleanse, tone, and moisturize first.
Apply your primer.
Apply your color correcting concealer to your palm and let it warm in your hand for a minute.
After it’s warm, apply to your scar, and blend it out in a light, circular motion until the scar fades nicely. The heat will help the concealer blend naturally to your skin. You made need to repeat this step 2-3 times, as multiple layers are required for keloid coverage.
Once your concealer has dried, apply your full coverage foundation layer by layer, starting at the scar and working outward from there. Using a beauty sponge will help even out the texture of your foundation over the blemish.
Use a setting powder to set your look, and a setting spray if you wish, so your makeup will stay on longer.

Tip: Depending on where your scar is, you may want to stay away from using a highlighter, as it may draw attention to your problem areas.

How Can I Cover Up A White Scar?

White scars, also known as hypopigmented scars, are often the result of trauma or surgery. The skin in these areas has turned white because of less blood flow to the area (i.e., when the scar was more red and inflamed during the healing stage).

To cover a white scar, take the following steps:

Cleanse, tone, moisturize, and apply your primer.
Use a concealer that is more dry and waxy (stick concealers are perfect) in one shade darker than your skin tone. During application, be sure to stay within the borders, building layers slowly. Using a concealer brush for this is perfect!
Apply your full coverage foundation carefully, covering your scar last, and taking care to preserve all your work with your concealer.
Set your look with powder and setting spray.

Tip: If your scar “shines” after applying your moisturizer, simply dab at it with a cotton pad to take the shine away.

How Do You Cover Up Arm Scar With Makeup?

Covering arm scars is even easier than covering scars on the face because naturally, they’re less noticeable. You will want to use a concealer that is specific for covering tattoos.

Look for one that’s waterproof for best results, as this will stay on much longer. There are also “scar camouflage kits” that come with different tones to help you match your skin.

When you can’t wear long sleeves and need a way to cover up, follow these fool-proof steps for best results:

Exfoliate, cleanse, and moisturize your arms.
Apply the tattoo concealer (make sure it’s the same shade as your arms). Use a beauty blender or brush to ensure the most smooth texture. You made need to use different tones for coverage. This is a situation where practice makes perfect!

Tip: If you are unable to purchase a tattoo concealer, a full coverage foundation works just as well. Just make sure it matches your skin, as often our face is a different shade than our arms!

How To Cover Indented Scars On Face?

Indented scars will require you to “fill in” the area to even it out and reduce the appearance. One of the best products you can use to combat an indented scar is a concealer pencil, as its easier to fill in the skin with this.

Much like the other methods, layering techniques are your best friend here. Follow these steps:

Cleanse, tone, moisturize, and apply your primer.
Using a concealer pencil that is lighter than your skin tone, “fill in” your indented scar(s) with these. Use as many layers as necessary.
Apply full coverage foundation and be extra careful around the area you just filled in. Blend, but don’t lose that perfect texture you just created.
Set it and forget it, baby!

How To Cover Up a Burn Scar With Makeup?

Thin is out, and thick is in- when it comes to burn scars anyway. To successfully cover a scar with makeup, you’ll want to make sure you use a thick primer and thick concealer.

You can also try using a color correcting primer or a tinted primer, as these will definitely help with the heavy-duty cover-up that you’re going to need. For best results, try the following:

Cleanse, tone, moisturize, and apply your primer.
Warm-up your color correcting concealer in your hand first, then apply until the color is neutralized. Remember layers, layers, layers. And always let it dry before moving on.
Apply full coverage foundation and setting powder.

What Are The Best Makeup Products To Cover Scars?

I’ve compiled a guide for you to the best makeup products available on the market to help you forget about your scars. Below are the most loved and best deals in the beauty industry:

Best Scar Treatments

T is for treat! Treat your scars with a top-quality product with skin-healing ingredients to help nurture your skin. Ingredients such as quercetin and vitamins E and C will kiss your skin with the nutrients it needs!

Mederma Intensive Overnight Cream is an excellent choice to help mitigate the appearance of scars. This product is applied before bed and works hard while you sleep to reverse skin damage. It will help expedite skin cell turnover and nourish skin with collagen, antioxidants, and more.

Bio-Oil is another fantastic choice when it comes to helping those scars disappear. Formulated with skin-sensational ingredients such as chamomile, lavender, and calendula oils, as well as vitamins A and E, your skin will be singing praise in no-time!

Bio-Oil is dermatologist recommended and is safe to use twice a day.

Aroamas Professional Silicone Scar Sheets are an affordable and dependable way to treat those unwanted scars. Made from medical grade silicone, these sheets have been proven to help with the appearance of different scars. These sheets are super safe and odorless, non-toxic, and comfortable to wear. You can even reuse the sheets for up to 2 weeks!

Best Primer To Help With Scars

Too Faced Primed And Poreless is a fantastic choice to help reduce the appearance of scars. Formulated with skin-soothing extracts, it works to provide the flawlessly smooth skin you’ve been dreaming of.

Best Indented Scar Concealers

Glamoflauge Concealer Pencil by Hard Candy will help provide the right texture for “filling in” your indented scar. This heavy-duty concealer is long-lasting and super easy to use, especially when you’re in a hurry.

Best Arm Scar Concealer

Glossiva Tattoo Concealer kit is a fabulous bargain for anyone looking to cover arm scars. This waterproof concealer is long-lasting and anti-friction. The kit includes 3 different tones so you can mix and match to find your perfect shade.

Best Scar Covering Foundation

For the best full coverage foundations, I HIGHLY recommend NARS.

Tip: Always remember to do a 24-hour skin patch test when trying out any new cosmetic!

How To Protect Your Skin And Scars From Further Damage?

Did you know that it takes a full two years for the formation of a scar to complete? After all, your body is a masterpiece, and masterpieces take time!

There are a few things you can do to help your body scars from becoming more noticeable. The most crucial element is sunscreen, every time you go in the sun. UV exposures cause inflammation and free radical formation in scar tissue during healing.

The inflammation prevents new collagen formation and will make the scar more noticeable. Reach for SPF 30 or higher, and a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. The fewer chemicals in it, the better for your skin!

Another thing you can do to help expedite the healing of scars is massage. Massage helps with circulation and tissue regeneration. And it’s the perfect excuse for a little self-care!

It’s ok to want to mitigate imperfections on our skin, but remember, scars are nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone is unique in their own way.

After all, if we all looked the same, how boring would that be?!

In the words of Alessia Cara, “No scars to your beautiful, we’re stars, and we’re beautiful.” Let your beauty shine on! And when in doubt, seek out your esthetician or dermatologist for the best products to help your skin heal, especially if you have sensitive skin. Happy healing!

Thanks for stopping by! We hope you enjoyed this article on how to cover a scar with makeup.