goatgruff

Everybody and anybody please help! Throughout my childhood everytime I got hurt (fell, scratched, mosquitos) I would scratch at them and I got terrible scars from it. They have always been dark/purpleish and in this past year I really really want them gone! Other than surgery that I can't afford what can I do? They aren't raised and they aren't large (less than half the size of my pinky nail). They are just numerous and all over just my legs and darker than the rest of my skin color. I am going on a family reunion vacation in 5 weeks! I'll have to wear a long sun dress at the beach the whole time and people will no doubt question me as to why. Any advice in any form as to how to get rid of the dark coloring of them? I'll live with the scars but people notice even more since they are dark. I've heard of skin lightening creams but do they work? What is the difference from an over the counter cream and a prescription cream? Maybe the % of strength? Just how much stronger is the prescription strength ones if any? Please help!