4 replies to this topic

[Irelana]

I finally made a post because I think I have a problem. I am usually amazing at self-control in other areas of my life: eating, exercise, studying, working, etc. But when it comes to skin picking I feel helpless to my own hands.

It's the worst when I'm looking at a mirror, but even sitting in front of my computer here I'm conscious of my acne and the desire to pop them. I can feel them on my face, and that's a combination of just being mentally aware of them and them actually hurting and throbbing sometimes.

I then get up to look in the mirror, knowing full well I'm about to pick them, but in my head saying 'no, not this time, you know it only makes it worse. Don't pick them don't pick them don't pick them.' but yet I always find myself doing so anyway. Even while I'm doing it I can say to myself 'this is stupid you're not even doing anything. You're just making it worse stop. Stop. Stop.' but there my hands are, just picking away despite my mind saying something completely different.

I often make myself bleed. Even when I know that a pimple hasn't surfaced yet and it's just a bump under my skin for now, I'll pick at it until my face looks terrible, with no results, like I was telling myself would happen. Now that I'm off of birth control it's only gotten worse. When I can afford it I plan on going back on it.

I'll wash my face after I'm done picking and tell myself that's enough to make sure the bacteria doesn't make it to other pores, but I know that I'm just fooling myself.

I tell myself everyday that I'm going to stop and never pick again, but it never happens. I hate this feeling of being powerless to myself, as it's the complete opposite in every other aspect of my life. It makes no sense to me. I feel a bit crazy, in fact.

Well, I think that ranting about this had made me feel better. Maybe having it in writing will help me with self-control, but I doubt it.

[kiaora]

So recognizable!

After having tried all sorts of acne medication, I have started with Roaccutane since 25 days.
Picking is even worse now, because I create wounds very easily.
My skin is very bumpy and I'm pretty sure that all the scars and pigment spots are mostly due to the picking. Not all ofcourse. Acne sucks.

Edited by kiaora, 07 October 2011 - 06:45 AM.

[PNS2LGA]

Isn't it just the worst? I've been trying to be more conscious of what I'm doing when I begin to pick at my face, and my girlfriend is constantly telling me to stop (and I do, in that moment), but it still happens quite often. As soon as I start squeezing and picking, the thought of "this is going to ruin your skin" flies out of my head and I become consumed with trying to pop every pimple. I am also guilty of removing scabs, unfortunately...

[kiaora]

Yeah.. it's not an easy thing to change.
Since I'm on Accutane I'm getting less pimples/blackheads and I have squeezed almost all blackheads away now. So it gives me more rest but now the flakes of my dry lips became a target of picking. My dry and itchy scalp is also not nice but I'm gonna try olive oil.

[amy91]

I used to be a terrible picker. OMG...7-8 months ago I was picking my face every single day, in front of the mirror, with the obsessive thought that I have to "remove" whiteheads by myself. It was a dumb idea! Finally, I made an appointment with a dermotologist, and he removed all those whiteheads, since that I haven't touched my face. When I look in the mirror and see the old scars, I get really upset with myself, if I had waited untill the appointment and hadn't picked my face so much, I wouldn't have scars. I would've smooth skin. But anyways, now I never touch my face. Even if there is something to pick on. I just do not allow myself to do it. Because these 2-3 scars that I've got, always remind me about picking results. Acne always looks worse after pciking. It's a big NO-NO.
Eat something whenever you want to pick your face,lol.

Edited by amy91, 26 October 2011 - 06:30 PM.