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thanks for the replies. yeah guys, the damage (scars) i've caused on my cheeks have made me really depressed, i am a strong guy and today i've felt like crying when looking at it in the mirror. mainly because i don't know if there is a way to get rid of it, and wonder if thats how it will be forever now, and two because if i seek help to fix it i could end up damaging it further.. thus being frozen in a state of hopelessness.
Furthermore its a reminder that I could never stop picking. I hope someone reads this and stops forever before its too late and you cause irreversible damage.
has anyone done microdermabrasion? my scars i would say are very shallow but the texture and dottedness of them really effect my mental well being. if i knew someone that had what i have and have got good results by doing such a procedure then id really like to know
the way i look at accutane is a bit of a double edged sword, as in it stops spots but causes dry skin, and dry skin wont heal as well as a subtle moist skin? is that right
I want to stop picking too. Since taking accutane my skin doesn't heal like it used to, and picking has given me a few scars. I haven't picked for 2 weeks...I hope I can keep it up
2 weeks..I cant go two days without picking haha. Keep it up and I will see if I can match your two weeks
I want to stop picking too. Since taking accutane my skin doesn't heal like it used to, and picking has given me a few scars. I haven't picked for 2 weeks...I hope I can keep it up
2 weeks..I cant go two days without picking haha. Keep it up and I will see if I can match your two weeks
I think 2 weeks is the longest I've been able to go. I started scarring a little and that has been a big motivator to stop.
I want to stop picking too. Since taking accutane my skin doesn't heal like it used to, and picking has given me a few scars. I haven't picked for 2 weeks...I hope I can keep it up
2 weeks..I cant go two days without picking haha. Keep it up and I will see if I can match your two weeks
I think 2 weeks is the longest I've been able to go. I started scarring a little and that has been a big motivator to stop.
Haha I did not make a single day 
..think I'm gonna have to man up and seriously make an effort to stop picking. Starting now. Two weeks is a good effort though mate. Keep going , my ultimate goal is a month but if I can make two weeks I'll be happy.
Ok I failed after about 2.5 weeks and picked at this big cyst under my eye. I think it might be the biggest one I've had. I'm just really hoping it doesn't scar. I'm gonna try and keep it moist and start over on my no picking journey
dont worry... 2.5 w is great, like seriously good. i did 4 days.. just now picked 3. gentle as possible.. covered them with aloe vera gel to heal.. i just HATE having spots on my face, oddly i can deal with a white head that is ready to blow, but cannot stand the ones that show no head and just make the surface of your skin red... wtf is with those.. its like be a zit if your going to make me red...
just couldn't hack it. starting again now... also scarring is a huge motivator.. also a quote that i quite like that puts a bit of a spin on things is >
"repeatably doing the same thing over and over yet expecting a different result each time is insanity"..
thanks for the replies. yeah guys, the damage (scars) i've caused on my cheeks have made me really depressed, i am a strong guy and today i've felt like crying when looking at it in the mirror.
Don't worry, we're all in there. Right now it's my chin. I try to control myself not to pick at my cheek.
i just HATE having spots on my face, oddly i can deal with a white head that is ready to blow, but cannot stand the ones that show no head and just make the surface of your skin red... wtf is with those..
Those are the worst!
HELLO! 
Hey guys-- sorry I haven't checked in for so long! I just want to update how everything's going!
My skin is improving IMMENSELY. Jack, I haven't done microdermabrasion at a spa or anything, but (on a complete whim) I bought the Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System-- which is just a fancy way of saying I bought a spinny brush that exfoliates the top layer of my skin off. lol It's really helping get rid of my red marks along with my Paula's Choice AHA. I've only been using it for a week and I'm seeing really great results. 
It also removes a lot of blackheads, which are triggers for my picking issue...so, it's helping my picking.
In terms of picking: I've only had ONE "picking binge" in like...a month. And the one I did wasn't substantial at all and I stopped myself before doing HUGE damage. i'm super proud of myself for that and I can see the results when I look into the mirror. It is SO HARD to just NOT pick a whitehead or not peel off what you *think* is a healed scab. But I'm doing it. I have picked small whiteheads and such...but nothing too crazy.
I will post a picture in a week or so to show you all my progress. Hopefully I don't pick in this coming week! I will try my ABSOLUTE hardest not to so that you can all see what abstaining from picking can do! Stay positive!
Do any of you guys have trouble not picking at your nose? This is the hardest spot for me to not pick because I have these sebaceous filaments and I want them gone. I know picking won't do that though..
I pick at my nose sometimes because I've got those plugs too. it's so aggravating. What's nice, though, is it seems like my nose heals quicker than everywhere else. I never get large zits on my nose, so I kinda use that area to feed my addiction to picking....knowing that there aren't any real consequences to it. Anywhere else on my face that I pick results in more zits! wee!
I meant to take a picture this morning!! Tonight, I will definitely show you all what *not very much* picking looks like!
well i hate myself. i have caused scars (indented small ones) from years of abuse, and tools to pick with i.e going too hard with comodone extractor (small end, broke it off and threw it away)
what i hate the most is that i knew i had bad OCD (extreme ocd) when i was 19 to 23 and then it morphed into skin picking... so its obvious i have BDD. I need help clearly.
I now have to live with the fact that i've scarred my skin and it was me who did it. its worse than being mentally tortured by ocd as its a physical reminder and that will haunt me every time i look in a mirror.
naturally i am exaggerating the damage because its BDD, sure its not as bad as some peoples scarring,... However i consider it is bad for me when i can cast my mind back to a time under a year ago when these scars did not exist my skin did not have these...
trying really hard to not pick now in fact, i really wont allow myself to. I cannot deal with any more scars. I am trying to seek help professionally and tomorrow have a doctor appointment and i will ask for advice including perhaps a referal to a dermatologist.
how can i move on from here, knowing i've caused those marks?
help
I'm a new "no picker" so I am literally taking it one day at a time. I pick nightly before bed and I actually went 2 nights without picking but today used tweezers to get a hair and then got a few more. So a set back. I have decided to throw my tweezers away because that's what I pick with. I never use my nails. So here I go and I hope I can be successful. One day at a time!
well i hate myself. i have caused scars (indented small ones) from years of abuse, and tools to pick with i.e going too hard with comodone extractor (small end, broke it off and threw it away)
what i hate the most is that i knew i had bad OCD (extreme ocd) when i was 19 to 23 and then it morphed into skin picking... so its obvious i have BDD. I need help clearly.
I now have to live with the fact that i've scarred my skin and it was me who did it. its worse than being mentally tortured by ocd as its a physical reminder and that will haunt me every time i look in a mirror.
naturally i am exaggerating the damage because its BDD, sure its not as bad as some peoples scarring,... However i consider it is bad for me when i can cast my mind back to a time under a year ago when these scars did not exist my skin did not have these...
trying really hard to not pick now in fact, i really wont allow myself to. I cannot deal with any more scars. I am trying to seek help professionally and tomorrow have a doctor appointment and i will ask for advice including perhaps a referal to a dermatologist.
how can i move on from here, knowing i've caused those marks?
help
Jack, please don't hate yourself over this.
You can move on knowing you're not going to cause more marks. I think not allowing yourself to pick because of this is a good thing, but do forgive yourself if you have a setback. I'm noticing that I have small scars and marks from my years of picking as well, and it really is hard to deal with, I agree. They will heal in time or at least look less noticeable-- especially if they're not too bad to begin with.
I understand the OCD and BDD stuff-- I believe my picking is a true compulsion and it's a struggle for me not to feel intense hatred and guilt after I do it. But I've learned that it doesn't help me to dwell in negative thoughts and feelings.
I really hope that the doctor helps you out 
good luck Jack!
I'm a new "no picker" so I am literally taking it one day at a time. I pick nightly before bed and I actually went 2 nights without picking but today used tweezers to get a hair and then got a few more. So a set back. I have decided to throw my tweezers away because that's what I pick with. I never use my nails. So here I go and I hope I can be successful. One day at a time!
Nice job on calling yourself a "no picker!" haha That's a good first step.
I also used to pick nightly before bed (LOTS of picking...not just one or two). I think throwing away the tweezers was probably a wise decision. I definitely envy the fact that you don't use your fingers at all.
One day at a time is right! Remember to look at any picking as a temporary "set back" and you'll get to the point of being a "former picker" in no time! 
I'm still not a "former picker" but I'm much better than I used to be!
Do any of you guys have trouble not picking at your nose? This is the hardest spot for me to not pick because I have these sebaceous filaments and I want them gone. I know picking won't do that though..
I pick at my nose sometimes because I've got those plugs too. it's so aggravating. What's nice, though, is it seems like my nose heals quicker than everywhere else. I never get large zits on my nose, so I kinda use that area to feed my addiction to picking....knowing that there aren't any real consequences to it. Anywhere else on my face that I pick results in more zits! wee!
I meant to take a picture this morning!! Tonight, I will definitely show you all what *not very much* picking looks like!
I used to feel the same way about my nose. Recently, though, I've been getting scarred pores on it! It's the pores that keep filling up that are scarring 
I'd be careful the same doesn't happen to you.
Do any of you guys have trouble not picking at your nose? This is the hardest spot for me to not pick because I have these sebaceous filaments and I want them gone. I know picking won't do that though..
I pick at my nose sometimes because I've got those plugs too. it's so aggravating. What's nice, though, is it seems like my nose heals quicker than everywhere else. I never get large zits on my nose, so I kinda use that area to feed my addiction to picking....knowing that there aren't any real consequences to it. Anywhere else on my face that I pick results in more zits! wee!
I meant to take a picture this morning!! Tonight, I will definitely show you all what *not very much* picking looks like!
I used to feel the same way about my nose. Recently, though, I've been getting scarred pores on it! It's the pores that keep filling up that are scarring
I'd be careful the same doesn't happen to you.
Yeah....that definitely already happened. So, I guess there are consequences.
this is what i'm talking about, the accumulation of microscopic damage we are doing, adds up.
when i stretch my skin with my tongue is looks really bad. you can see the damage, its not uniform or the same colour/texture. terrible. terrible.
really must stop.. cant live life like this. plus the permanent damage..
Do any of you guys have trouble not picking at your nose? This is the hardest spot for me to not pick because I have these sebaceous filaments and I want them gone. I know picking won't do that though..
I pick at my nose sometimes because I've got those plugs too. it's so aggravating. What's nice, though, is it seems like my nose heals quicker than everywhere else. I never get large zits on my nose, so I kinda use that area to feed my addiction to picking....knowing that there aren't any real consequences to it. Anywhere else on my face that I pick results in more zits! wee!
I meant to take a picture this morning!! Tonight, I will definitely show you all what *not very much* picking looks like!
I used to feel the same way about my nose. Recently, though, I've been getting scarred pores on it! It's the pores that keep filling up that are scarring
Yeah....that definitely already happened. So, I guess there are consequences.
so.. some theories/ myths...
can anyone answer..
1) keeping the skin moist after picking it, or damaging it will stop a scar from forming...
in my experience keeping the area moist has actually led to scarring.. the few places i've done this, a pock mark is present.. or just uneven skin
2) picking, squeezing, what ever you want to call it, permanently deforms for pore lining, meaning you will sooner or later get a spot in the same place you picked at, days, weeks months years into the future..
again i beleive this to be true. I have a few close friend who used to have some of the worst acne, and now you would never know it... they grew out of it, both didnt ever pick a spot.. ever.
yet here i am years on, still getting the odd spot here and there..
I really like this forum and this topic, so many supportive people. I just wish that acne was my biggest problem. Now that I'm permanently ill I wish I would have lived a more fulfilling life and not care about acne. Well it's too late for me, I'm all alone and all I have left is this pain and suffering. Wish I wasn't this coward and had the bravery to end my life, fuck.
I really like this forum and this topic, so many supportive people. I just wish that acne was my biggest problem. Now that I'm permanently ill I wish I would have lived a more fulfilling life and not care about acne. Well it's too late for me, I'm all alone and all I have left is this pain and suffering. Wish I wasn't this coward and had the bravery to end my life, fuck.
so what is your illness? here for you !
Do any of you guys have trouble not picking at your nose? This is the hardest spot for me to not pick because I have these sebaceous filaments and I want them gone. I know picking won't do that though..
I pick at my nose sometimes because I've got those plugs too. it's so aggravating. What's nice, though, is it seems like my nose heals quicker than everywhere else. I never get large zits on my nose, so I kinda use that area to feed my addiction to picking....knowing that there aren't any real consequences to it. Anywhere else on my face that I pick results in more zits! wee!
I meant to take a picture this morning!! Tonight, I will definitely show you all what *not very much* picking looks like!
I used to feel the same way about my nose. Recently, though, I've been getting scarred pores on it! It's the pores that keep filling up that are scarring
Yeah....that definitely already happened. So, I guess there are consequences.
so.. some theories/ myths...
can anyone answer..
1) keeping the skin moist after picking it, or damaging it will stop a scar from forming...
in my experience keeping the area moist has actually led to scarring.. the few places i've done this, a pock mark is present.. or just uneven skin
2) picking, squeezing, what ever you want to call it, permanently deforms for pore lining, meaning you will sooner or later get a spot in the same place you picked at, days, weeks months years into the future..
again i beleive this to be true. I have a few close friend who used to have some of the worst acne, and now you would never know it... they grew out of it, both didnt ever pick a spot.. ever.
yet here i am years on, still getting the odd spot here and there..
1. I'm not sure if keeping the spot moist is a good idea or not. I've tried to do that, but have had mixed results. A spot I kept moist on my chin looks like there was never a cyst there, but then a spot I kept moist on my cheek left a tiny ice pick scar. I think that might have had to do with the size of the cyst (it was the biggest one I've ever had) and the location (delicate skin under my eye close to my nose/ cheek).
2. In my case I'm not sure if I've messed up any pores so that they keep reforming pimples. I have very oily skin and a few of my pores just seem to fill up more than others. My mom, who doesn't have acne, also talks about the same thing. She has one pore on the side of her nose that just fills up for some reason. She has also never been much of a picker.
Also, I think your friends were lucky. I know people who never had severe acne but have quite a few scars. My acne has been very bad at times, and yet, I have a very small amount of scars. Friends and family tell me they don't see any scars, but I do, and that's why I want to stop picking.
I really like this forum and this topic, so many supportive people. I just wish that acne was my biggest problem. Now that I'm permanently ill I wish I would have lived a more fulfilling life and not care about acne. Well it's too late for me, I'm all alone and all I have left is this pain and suffering. Wish I wasn't this coward and had the bravery to end my life, fuck.
so what is your illness? here for you !
I agree. We are here! I have had my own share of illnesses. Some are permanent, but not really severe, but still...Keep your head up!
I really like this forum and this topic, so many supportive people. I just wish that acne was my biggest problem. Now that I'm permanently ill I wish I would have lived a more fulfilling life and not care about acne. Well it's too late for me, I'm all alone and all I have left is this pain and suffering. Wish I wasn't this coward and had the bravery to end my life, fuck.
This thread is nice-- we are all here for each other. I'm sorry about your illness, though. Do you still suffer from acne?
Jack--
1. I think keeping your skin neither dry nor too moist is a good idea. I've never really noticed if over-moisturizing made a difference, though. Although, I've noticed that too much moisturizer will cause extra zits to pop up sometimes....ehhh... I have no deep scars, but I have veeeerrrrrryyy shallow scarring that's almost unnoticeable. I notice it, but no one else would. I've had extremely dry skin and very oily skin in my days of acne.
2. In two months, my skin has gone from really messed up to much cleaner looking. I have picked almost every single pore on my face, but I'm not getting spots in some of those spots. I'm not really sure about this theory, but I do think that picking at a spot over and over can definitely spread bacteria and increase your chances of scarring.
I wish I had never picked because I know that I wouldn't have suffered from acne this long. But...on the flip side, realizing that my picking is a problem has helped me analyze myself and my own anxieties. I've become so much more relaxed and happy since realizing it. I know that there are lasting effects, but I'm really trying not to dwell too much on them. That will only bring negativity (which sometimes makes me break out or makes me want to pick!!)
Well I am about 95 % clear from acne from using just AHA+ and I have been using it about four weeks. My skin has went better and better while using AHA+ so I think I will be fully clear soon. And my illness, actually I have two, or maybe one if they are connected, the doctor couldn't say for sure. I have bone tumor at the base of my skull, it's benign but if it keeps growing I'm truly fucked because it's filling my cervical vertebra and they can't operate it. Plus I have cervical dystonia that hasn't yet responded to treatment..
I really like this forum and this topic, so many supportive people. I just wish that acne was my biggest problem. Now that I'm permanently ill I wish I would have lived a more fulfilling life and not care about acne. Well it's too late for me, I'm all alone and all I have left is this pain and suffering. Wish I wasn't this coward and had the bravery to end my life, fuck.
This thread is nice-- we are all here for each other.
I'm sorry about your illness, though.
Jack--
1. I think keeping your skin neither dry nor too moist is a good idea. I've never really noticed if over-moisturizing made a difference, though. Although, I've noticed that too much moisturizer will cause extra zits to pop up sometimes....ehhh... I have no deep scars, but I have veeeerrrrrryyy shallow scarring that's almost unnoticeable. I notice it, but no one else would. I've had extremely dry skin and very oily skin in my days of acne.
2. In two months, my skin has gone from really messed up to much cleaner looking. I have picked almost every single pore on my face, but I'm not getting spots in some of those spots. I'm not really sure about this theory, but I do think that picking at a spot over and over can definitely spread bacteria and increase your chances of scarring.
I wish I had never picked because I know that I wouldn't have suffered from acne this long. But...on the flip side, realizing that my picking is a problem has helped me analyze myself and my own anxieties. I've become so much more relaxed and happy since realizing it. I know that there are lasting effects, but I'm really trying not to dwell too much on them. That will only bring negativity (which sometimes makes me break out or makes me want to pick!!)
agreed about too moisturised. in fact all moisturiser has only ever broken me out, even though for a few days it works well...
i dont see how it spreads bacteria unless you don't wash your hands between each 'pick'?
i agree its good that its opened your eyes, thats actually a very good thing..
This is interesting, i agree it seems to depend on location. I too have a small ice pick scar in the same place you mention... however im not sure it it was to do with a cyst but more to do with me using a moisturiser, it eventually clogged up, and vis-a-vis I squeezed all the black heads out.. or it was where i used emu oil thinking it was healing my skin and yet it was also causing deep spots.. which I squeezed and caused light surface scaring. .
Perhaps the theory of a spot re-occurring in the same place is not true then hmm.
They must have been lucky then, and yours not so. What sort of scars do you have? when you say they cant see them is that because they are not close enough? do you have to look really hard and close to see the damage?
As much as i want to stop picking, it just seems relatively impossible. nobody like walking about with spots on their faces, period. Its a shame i still break out... if that wasnt the case, my face would improve a lot. even though they are 'light' break outs, they are persistent and thus dont do my face any favours let alone my bdd.
Well I am about 95 % clear from acne from using just AHA+ and I have been using it about four weeks. My skin has went better and better while using AHA+ so I think I will be fully clear soon. And my illness, actually I have two, or maybe one if they are connected, the doctor couldn't say for sure. I have bone tumor at the base of my skull, it's benign but if it keeps growing I'm truly fucked because it's filling my cervical vertebra and they can't operate it. Plus I have cervical dystonia that hasn't yet responded to treatment..
congrats on the results with AHA, for me it just breaks me out unfortunately.
a bone tumor doesnt sound good! i really hope doctors can figure it out and nip it in the bud while the time is right.