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zoethedermatil… , 10 Apr 2018

Please help

I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this so sorry if it’s not but I desperately need help asap.

My scars have been worsening recently (I pick “imperfections”, my hands will run over my face subconsciously and the second they run over a bump I’m tearing my skin off). I can’t go a day without picking. I pick, let the scars heal, and then I pick them off again.

I can’t stop. I’ve tried oils to help with dry skin, different types of cream, etc. Nothing is working. The longest I’ve gone without picking is three days.

My skin is destroyed. I can’t leave the house because my scars take up the majority of my forehead- they’re so big now I can’t even fit plasters over them.

I picked a few minutes ago and I don’t know what to do about the wound. So any advice for that would be greatly appreciated.

I don’t know what to do. I feel hopeless and ugly. Please help because this is ruining my life.

3 Answers
Let-it-be
April 12, 2018

I am so sorry to hear about how much this is affecting your life and ability to go out and live! I have some products and tips that have helped me! 1. Hydrocolloid bandages! They’re amazing. You can find them at any drug store. They’re sometimes called advanced healing and you can get them in the largest size and cut them to fit or just put the whole thing on a large part of your face that is wounded. What it does is absorb gunk from the spot while almost acting like a fake scab so the skin underneath heals over rapidly. I wear them on spots at night and if I can during the days I’m around the house. Sometimes even spending half a day in one before I go out at night helps significantly! Also it’s a physically barrier to stop you from picking! 2.trentinoin cream that’s a prescription retinoid. Good for your skin in general go aging acne sun spots and even tone! If just speeds cell turn over rapidly giving you a “new face” more often ;) I have no scars and very little marks that last longer than a week or two thanks to it! Once the bandaid gets the spot to heal over the trentinoin takes it from there. I apply to my whole face nightly for even texture and tone and to keep breakouts from actually coming to the surface. They often just dry out and can be exfoliated off! 3. A timer in the bathroom when you do need to use it in the morning or night to get ready. And only a nightlight any other time! I was losing my night in the bathroom in front of the mirror and felt exhausted and defeated getting into bed. I was running out of time to sometimes even make myself dinner or watch a show. I will set timer for 10 minutes to keep me aware/ make me rush through washing may face etc and then getting out of the bathroom! 4. Put makeup on and get outside! Forget about it as long as you can!!! Even in that time it’s healing! Leaving your face alone and going on with your day for 10 hours is 10 hours it’s healing and you’re not looking at it or messing with it in your house! It’s almost like you have to insist it not rule your life! But trust me the products help with the healing so that it’s more manageable to use self-control!

serene
April 15, 2018

Let it be....your response was soothing to read. Maybe because I wholeheartedly agree with it =). Such great points. I like that you mentioned putting on makeup and going out the door. I love this tactic, makeup as a therauputic agent and a barrier to picking. I also love how you mentioned that you have to insist the picking to not rule your life. I'll come back and re-read your reply when I'm feeling bad.

Let-it-be
April 15, 2018

So happy to hear that serene!! So nice to know my struggles and what I have learned can be helpful!

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