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newperspective , 30 Mar 2012

wounds are HEALING and scars are FADING------> PLEASE READ!!!!!

I've mentioned calamine lotion on this site many times before but I want to scream it out for everyone to hear and to understand that IT REALLY DOES WORK! My skin has seriously never looked better. Being that I'm still in active recovery from CSP, I relapsed a bit yesterday and went to town on my chin. I was so angry with myself but instead of spiraling out of control, I just took a deep breath, washed my face with my antibacterial face wash and applied a thick layer of calamine lotion all over my chin and let it be. This morning, the wounds were already healing over and the swelling and inflamation had subsided immensely! After washing my face in the shower, I applied another thick layer and left it on for about 4 hours. When I washed it off, they again looked even better than when I first woke up this morning. My hopes are that they will be completely healed within the next few days... I will keep everyone posted. My chin aside, the rest of my skin looks INCREDIBLE! I've been using calamine lotion consistenly for the past month and the results are AMAZING! My scars have faded about 50% and my skin actually looks NORMAL. I don't feel so ashamed walking around without makeup on in front of my husband and kids, and when I am wearing makeup, my complexion has never looked better. To achieve the same results, you have to be consistent and use it every night. After washing my face at night, I apply a THIN layer (apply a thicker layer ONLY on the areas where wounds are present) all over my face and leave it on overnight. In the morning I wash my face and apply a zinc-based moisturizer before applying my makeup and then go about my day. I've done this for a month straight and I can honestly say that I am a believer. Calamine lotion has helped with healing my self-inflicted wounds, fading my scars, and evening out my overall skin tone. The best part about it is that it's dirt cheap. I spent $1.44USD on ONE bottle! PLEASE give this a try... I promise you won't regret it!

251 Answers
pinkie
June 01, 2014
This is my first time here. I pick my face my arms and my upper legs. My sores and scars are disgusting. I pretend that I have really dry skin and that it itches and causes the scabs, scars and red marks. My 11 year old son has started to pick at his scalp and I feel like it's my fault from watching me. I started doing this when I was undergoing ETC for depression. Yes everyone electroshock therapy. I don't think I really needed it. I was addicted to pain pills, which I have been sober from for 6 years, but I do suffer from depression and when I would run out of pills and feel the crash depression that it caused I would call my psychiatric and it appeared that my depression was worse than it is. I didn't know that the crash was caused by the pain pills and starting withdrawal. I was a suburban housewife with a two and four year old. My now ehusband traveled for work and I would go to the hospital three times a week and have ECT and then be left alone to care for my children. I couldn't do it. I think that it really started as a control thing. That was in 2005. When my ex found out about the picking he was disgusted. I used to go hide in the bathroom to pick and he would actually have my children come and spy on me and yell at me to stop picking. So here I am, years later still doing it and I want to stop. I'm afraid that at the age of two because my son saw me that's why he's doing it. I'm going to try the suggestions to start healing. But I think by telling this whole story I just did start the healing. I want to stop so bad. Any suggestions will help me. I WANT TO STOP THIS CYCLE!
lildevil79
June 04, 2014
Hello newperspective, I wanted to say this forum and your advice are truly a miracle for people who dont know that this exists and who are suffering in silence. I have for many years had to complusion and do pick at any imperfection I find, It culd be a small blackhead or a cyst and I will take my mirror and my pimple lancer and go at it for hours often through out the day. I tried your calamine and witch hazel idea last night after geting a few "blemishes" that are now little craters on the right side of my face, I was truly amazed at the results! they are healed up nicley and no longer weeping! Thank you, Im truly going to be reading the posts on the website and Im so happy I found others who are like me and Its strange but the shame went away completely yesterday when I read everyone's comments and struggles with skinpicking. I have found a family within this forum and please if anyone needs help or to just talk, feel free to message me.
Thebglpscs
August 25, 2014
Hello! I have been researching for tons of stuff here in the internet that might help me with these scars that I got from chicken pox already a month ago and I got a lot of reviews about this calamine lotion. Can you please tell me exactly the name of the calamine lotion that you have used? Because I tried to search for it in the amazon but a lot of lotion appeared and does it really work for old scars (my chicken pox scars are dot, colored black or dark gray)? The chicken pox that I got already a month ago left a lot of scars in my entire back and stomach, arms and chest part, and little in my knees and hands. I have been trying a lot of products but none of them helped me. The scars ended up looking clear dot black or dark gray and I am so stressed going out since I honestly don't use makeup and I am just so ashame and uncomfortable with it :-(
Texasgal64
October 10, 2014

I have been suffering from a severe case of adult acne for the past year, of course making it worse by picking. I went the same route we all did in the beginning by using acne products, antibiotics from the dermatologist, and Retin-A. Nothing worked, and the Retin-A actually made it worse. I found a post on a website called www.medhelp.com that led me to believe my acne may be caused by a fungal infection rather than bacteria. I had nothing to lose so I purchased some tea tree oil face wash, colloidal silver topical gel, and a tube of clotrimazole antifungal cream. After only 24 hours, I noticed marked improvement. Then I found this post about calamine lotion, and I would like to incorporate it into my current skin regimen in order to clear up the existing scabs and lesions as quickly as possible. I am going on vacation in a few days and would love to have clearer skin in the pictures. I would like to know how and when to use the calamine lotion, specifically in what order should I use the products in? Unfortunately I have to wear make-up to work every day, so it will be about 10 days from now before I can go make- up-free, and then it will only be for two days at a time. This is my daytime regimen: tea tree oil face wash, Simple® oil-free gel moisturizer, colloidal silver gel, clotrimazole cream, Dermalogica® primer, Dermablend® cream concealer, Dermablend® powder foundation. This is my nighttime regimen: tea tree oil face wash, Simple® oil–free moisturizer, colloidal silver topical gel, clotrimazole cream, calamine lotion. A few things I would like to mention; first, the tea tree oil face wash is not oily, the Dermalogica® primer is for use over blemishes and it creates a smoother surface to put make up over, and the Dermablend® concealer is hands-down the best product for camouflage I have ever used in my life. I started a photo journal to record my progress, if anyone is interested please respond with your email and I will be happy to share. If you have any comments or suggestions about what I could do to improve or speed up the process, I would appreciate it so much. I would like to end by asking a question about the next step, what to do about scarring! I know I am going to have considerable scarring on my forehead, cheeks and jaw line. Are there any treatments such as dermabrasion or peels, that are really good at reducing or illuminating scarring? What about scarring creams? This is probably a topic that should have it's own post but if you have any information please respond.

newperspective
October 30, 2014

In reply to by Texasgal64

Hi Texasgal64! Thank you for your post. I want to start off by saying that the one thing I've learned on my journey is that less is more when it comes to healing your skin. I've never used the products you've listed above and I don't know how the calamine lotion will work in conjunction with these products. BUT if you would still like to give it a try, I would apply the calamine lotion in the evenings AFTER washing your face (like a mask) and leave it on for 20-30 min then rinse off. I don't know if you've ever tried witch hazel, but it's AMAZING!! If you can get a bottle of T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel, I would HIGHLY recommended giving it a try. After I've dried my face, I apply the witch hazel with a cottonball as a toning agent AND it helps remove any leftover residue from the calamine lotion while offering incredible healing properties. Once your face has completely dried, then finish the rest of your regimen. :) As for scarring, CO2 laser and microdermabrasion have proven to be effective, but pricey! I'm trying out some products currently for scarring and the overall health of my skin. I will post an update in a week when I see how they work and leteeveryone know if they're worth giving a try! I just started using them last night, SO fingers crossed they will be the HG products I've been searching for. I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any other questions! :)

Bonbon
October 30, 2014

Thank you for this suggestion. I'm going to purchase some today. I've heard of this as a home remedy from when I was a child. So I look forward to its benefits. Currently I find myself picking behind my ears and noticed I started the habit in my teen years and it intensifies when I'm studying for class. As of now my remedy is placing a scarf on my head and band aids on my fingers . I have days when I win and some loses but I'm determined to kick this habit for good

newperspective
October 30, 2014

In reply to by Bonbon

That's great to hear, Bonbon! It's not an easy journey and I DO slip up here and there, BUT it's nothing like it used to be. I'm getting better and better everyday and I KNOW one day this struggle will be a distant memory! :) I hope the products help with the healing and remember to take it one day at a time and always keep your head up and keep moving forward. :)

Beyoncexo
January 25, 2015

I have very sensitive skin, so am I able to use calamine lotion, to fade hyper pigmentation and pink skin after a scab that fell off ?? Btw what calamine lotion do u use

blackbird_8
January 26, 2015

Just bought Calamine lotion, but I'm very nervous because I can't even tell you how many products I've bought to fight my face. I am hoping to the Calamine Gods that THIS IS THE ONE and I actually see results. Fingers crossed!

FOP
March 29, 2015

In reply to by blackbird_8

I just posted a note on this forum re: "Forehead picking", and am looking for feedback on the use of calamine lotion for healing sores and eliminating itchiness. What has been your experience using calamine lotion? I'm researching this for my son who is at wit's end....Thank you for any feedback, Dave

beetlegirl1993
January 28, 2015

I am really excited to try this. I use Vaseline to make it harder for me to pick and lotion with lavender, rose water and calamine, but it gets expensive. I have found that mixing coconut oil with tea tree oil has really helped kill off bacteria when my picking spots have become infected.

bcarey
January 29, 2015

Hi, I have picked my pimples since I was young and then in the past few years started plucking my eyebrows and picking with a tweezers . I would sit in front of the mirror (10 x mirror) and see every little hair or blemish and pick for hours! I am always late, or I don't leave the house until really late. I am still trying to get out of the house sometimes! My dermatologist put me on accutane and I bled when I tweezed, and I hated it, so I stopped. Then I started using a new product called Nerium AD and I am amazed at my skin . My pores are smaller , even the acne scars are almost completely gone! I am getting my eyebrows waxed now too. People are telling me that I have beautiful skin, and they can't believe that I am 53 yrs old!!!
It's changed my life! I try not to pick and tweeze , and I'm not sitting at the mirror forever. I have even lost 30 lbs and quit smoking because I feel better and want to be healthy!! I didn't know there were so many people who did the same thing, or that it was a disorder .

LetGoLetGod
March 23, 2015

I cannot express to you how glad I am to have found this site and this particular post. I am an elementary teacher, and lately have been obsessed with tweezing my brows. I am not talking simple tweezing...I will DIG until I get the tiniest of hairs. I have a horrible sore under my left eyebrow and I have spent hours crying in front of the mirror because of how awful I look. My boyfriend is so very understanding and I even had him hide my tweezers. I am going to buy calamine lotion right now!!! Just to be clear, I can put it on open wounds, correct?

Britthwashere
April 07, 2015

Hi! I don't know if I will get a reply since this post is older. I recently slightly chemically burned an area on my face. Now it's just an open wound (not deep) but it's really red and bumpy so there is no covering with makeup. I'm going to try calimine lotion tonight on it. While I sleep should I leave it uncovered ?

FindingPeace
April 09, 2015

I found this website, forum and particular post yesterday, and honestly...after over 2 years of suffering from CSP (undiagnosed) to the point of debilitation (job loss, missed opportunities, almost failing school, suffering relationships...) I can't tell you how grateful I am. The darkness has parted, and I can see the light. I can picture a life where I am not encumbered by these compulsions, and a big part of this is just knowing that there is a product out there that helps.
Calamine lotion WORKS. I dont know how, I dont know what it is in particular that makes it so effective, but IT. WORKS.

Just follow the steps newbeginnings out lines in her posts: wash with cetaphil antibacterial soap, apply up to 3 layers at a time, leave for an hour, rinse and repeat.

I have yet to use witch hazel or a renewing cream, but after ONE day of using the lotion as directed above, my life has been saved.

My skin is nowhere near perfect after a single day, but it is smooth enough to cover with foundation (a MIRACLE) and a new layer of thin skin has grown all over my entire face.

Calamine lotion is a lifesaver, and this forum is a safehaven for people who are suffering. THANK YOU newbeginnings!!

Msvaf3815SEIA
April 11, 2015

Thank you for posting this.
I had a very bad episode last night and my face looks horrible. I am trying to conceal it well enough that I can feel somewhat comfortable leaving the house to go to the store and buy some Calamine lotion. Neosporine does not help me other than reduces the pain.
It is a nightmare to have this disorder. I am 58 years old and feel so sad and ashamed because of my skin condition. I will continue to seek help as nothing I have tried over many years has yet to help in a lasting manner.
My hear goes out to all who suffer from skin picking.

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April 22, 2015

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crazyhotmess
April 28, 2015

So are we talking about the pink kind? I have caladryl clear I use on my kids skinned knees or bug bites. Wonder if that would help the picked spots i've got going on on my face right now?

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