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Thelastday , 08 Feb 2011

Face picking... Trying to stop AGAIN. Help and suggestions welcome

Day one... Again. It started 3 years ago. One tiny spot is picked to infection then I figure I look gross so why not find anything else I can to pick at. I even pick my skin with tweezers, pins, anything. I even get up in the middle of the night to do it.I have to stop today. I've literally put black trash bags over my mirrors. So I'm holding myself accountable and I don't want to do it alone, can't do it alone. So I'm tracking my progress and inviting you to join or help with any suggestions for breaking or replacing this disgusting embarrassing habit. Day 1: covered my mirrors and joined a support group. Just doing that makes me want to do it more but I know if I can't stare at it I won't touch it. It's gonna be a long ride.
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Thelastday
February 24, 2011
I totally get the rational. A really good product is origins charcoal mask. Done weekly it purges your pores, so no need to pick!!! It's really helped me! Good luck!
edved11
February 24, 2011
hi.....new to the site...i've been reading all the stories and comments, and i can fully emphasize with you all. i am 41-year old male, and i have been face-picking for probably close to 25 years....starting last week, i actually had made it 5 days without much trauma, but last night was a bad one. just could not pull myself away from the mirror, even though i knew with each squeeze, i was making things worse and worse. my 5-year-old daughter woke up at 1AM, crying from a bad dream, or who knows how much longer i would've continued. i wanted desperately to call into work today, but i already used 2 sick days in january for "pick damage", and am afraid i will use up all my sick days too early in the year. so i am here at work, trying somehow to will my way though the day. i can't image how nice it must feel for people who don't have to go through their day with such self-consciousness and self-loathing. i am buoyed by the positive thoughts in this forum. just to know there are others out there like me, and that they all haven't given up hope - that gives ME hope!...just to give some context - i also suffer from OCD, horrible self-esteem, and my dad is an alcoholic. my dad doesn't really talk about his problem, but i have to think that alcoholics feel a similar pull to drink as we all feel the pull to the mirror, etc. anyone have a close relative that is an alcoholic that could shed any light on if there is any comparison?....good luck to everyone today - whether it's Day 1 or Day 100!
anonymous31894
February 25, 2011
ok so I'm on day 2(yay) but I have a question..after my scabs from picking fall off, I always feel like there is a pus to squeeze underneath, idk it just doesn't feel smooth and I figure there must be build up, so I basically start the wound again. Does anyone else do that/know how to stop? I didn't used to do that, this is fairly new.
lexyw
February 25, 2011
omigosh i was JUST thinking about this. how i'm just positive that there's stuff building up underneath and i must get it out. so yes, i completely understand, and no, i'm not sure how to stop that....just the thought of this is making me want to check some old/big bumps on my legs. but, i'm trying not to think about it. try exfoliating (gently) so that some of the dead skin comes off the top...also, i've been trying to use vit. e and mederma to lessen the appearance of the scar so i "forget" that its there. but yea, you're not alone, that's one of the biggest things i'm thinking about when i'm squeezing. i'm on my day 2 also!
anonymous31894
February 25, 2011
yeah, it's like some of the scabs are falling off but then is raw and shiny...ugh. yea vitamin e oil works well I heard, thanks, and good for us---here's to day 3!
Thelastday
February 26, 2011
I am an esthetician, and it feels like that because there is something under there, because you improperly extracted it in the first place. Hands off :) I know that's why we are here so that seems moot but it will go away faster if you just leave it at that point. The body will clear then infection. If you repick you risk a cystic spot!!! Be strong
lexyw
February 26, 2011
i've often wondered about becoming an aestetician. how do you think that helps/hurts your picking? i once saw a friend get a facial including where they "extracted" her blackheads. i almost passed out it was so cool to watch...
lexyw
February 26, 2011
congratulations! unfortunately, i just picked and so tomorrow will be day 1 again for me :( very disappointing. always looking on the positive side though and the session was only for a minute or two, not an hour or two. hopefully i'll be back at day 3 soon (like in 3 days!)
anonymous31894
February 27, 2011
onto day 4! i'm sure there will be more challenging days up ahead but right now I am succeeding off determination and the pride that comes with completing a day....i sitll have a lot that has to heal but i have hope
Blisscreek
February 28, 2011
I am sooo happy to hear you say this! I am on day 4 too and my face looks great...I feel beautiful! I went out with some girlfriends last night for dinner and didn't think about my face once it allowed me to be far more out going and even a little funny. I'm exited for day 5 because my face is going to look even clearer. I am feeling unstopable....although I know there can be set backs. I'm not going to think about that, I'm going to focus on a future absent of compulsive picking. My eight little words are working....cuz I'm finally believing them. (I am not perfect....but I am worthy)
anggoespublic
March 09, 2011
i now have a blog about my struggle: http://anggoespublic.tumblr.com/ please follow and help support!
anonymous31894
March 09, 2011
omg ang i just started to read your tumblr and noticed the comment about the sara evans song and freakeddd cause during this whole time I have been listening to that and relating it to my battle with skin picking, so ironic love it!
Thelastday
March 09, 2011
Hope everyone is still doing well! It's going on a month and I'm doing pretty well. Uncovered my mirrors and had a few set backs. Nothing major but a little pick once or twice. I think I realized it's just not worth the scars. Speaking of scars, I hope the ones I have go away soon. If anyone has suggestions how to fade them let me know!
anonymous31894
March 09, 2011
literally have the same thoughts, and am in the same frustrated position. I guess we have to be patient cause time heals them, but I also in the mean time use apple cider vinegar and mederma and want to check out vitmain e oil as well.
anggoespublic
March 09, 2011
kelocote gel! it's expensive for a small tube but you don't need to use a lot.. and it is the most amazing thing on the planet for scars/scabs/any type of healing skin. got it from my derm about a year ago and couldnt live without it

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