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pumpky1107 , 20 Jun 2009

Anyone begin using acrylic nails to stop picking?

Was wondering if getting acrylic nails would curtail the urge to pick since using my own nails to do it adds to the sensation. Maybe with fake ones, it would be too hard/awkward to continue picking. Sort of like gastric bypass for over-eathers! Let me know if you tried it. rdonnelly2021@comccast.net Would also like to be a part of a support system for picking with antone who wishes it as well.
58 Answers
serenitynow
June 20, 2009
Hi! Yes, I've just recently tried this approach; have had one "fill" so far. Dang disorder has me trying to "outsmart" my nails and trying to see if I can still pick. So far my cuticles are doing MUCH better as a result of the acrylics, and the nails deter picking of some finer hairs on my legs/arms. It's been interesting to want to pick SO BADLY at something and be thwarted. Almost annoying and frustrating tho I ought to be happy, right??! I'm still able to pick at my kp arms; the nails are thicker and blunter, so I think that helps with lessening the injury/'breaking the skin. Also, just the new sensation helps to bring the picking to my consciousness, at least it did moreso during the 1st week. The downsides: After a few weeks some of the edges are coming off my nail beds, which I find rather unsightly. It gets expensive and time consuming to get them filled. I'm a naturalist, so I was petrified that someone would notice and think I was a fake (yes, caring what other people think strikes again!) Let me know what you decide. I'll email you, too, as I'm seeking all the support I can get and I would love to support you on your life-changing journey! Best wishes, Katie
pumpky1107
June 20, 2009

In reply to by serenitynow

I have long, natural nails and am considering the acrylics even though they damage your nails just to stop this picking! I agree the cost of maintaining the nails is something to think about. Thx for emailing me as well. I can totally understand you trying to find ways around the nails to continue to pick! Is this the first time you've done the acrylic nails? Let me know how it goes for you and if it seems to work for you, I will get them done as well.
chickenlegs224
June 24, 2009
I got acrylic nails to stop biting my nails but because I couldn't feel my fingertips I just ended up doing even more damage to my skin. Although it it a lot harder to pick with them on I ended up with bigger bruises on my face from trying to pick with them. I don't know if it is just me but that is my story ;)
Mrs Pickerton
June 24, 2009
Yesssss it does help!! I recently started growing my natural nails out....SO proud of myself for not biting them - and it's made my scalp picking exponentially worse. The only thing with the acrylic nails is - it's easy to cheat by using the sides of the nails, which are sharper. Or by digging in WAY harder to get to the scabs. It does help, though.
todayistoday
June 25, 2009
I wish it were that simple... I pick with my knuckles.
reneemc
November 14, 2009

In reply to by todayistoday

i know what it's like to pick my knuckle. when i was 11, i got a cut and scar on one of my knuckles and for years after, i proceeded to pick and chew on it and it got huge. family and friends noticed and made comments constantly. i was so confused as to why i couldn't stop. for some reason i was able to stop. i have however been a cuticle biter and picker for 33 years, since age 7. the only thing that slows me down is artificial nails.
Trini
July 05, 2009
I'm new also to this site, but yes, acrylic nails help, except they have to be very thick to were you really can stab your self with it. I did use acrylic nails in California wich the style is thick! and it really does help. I am very open about my scab picking problem because I find out that they do have some kind of problem similar to our and it makes me feel better because I feel that I'am not alone. They also open to the situation and let me know they have some kind of OCD problem them self too. It makes both understand each other that we all have some kind of problem and that we are not alone. I think that many people have some kind of obsession or addiction but we have to find a solution to this problem. Back to the point of scab picking I also think that triming your nails as short and close to you skin will also help reduce the picking. Also, what helps me is putting band-aid with antibiotic on them and it heals them faster. I notice this also heals them super fast and don't have to worried about the scabs on my arms. My back is my problem. It looks like someone shot me all over my back and is so enberassing that I have to wear a t-shirt when I go to the pool with my kids. I also have been a long time scab picker ever since I was a little child. Another of my problems is that I want to pick the scabs on other people. I get so obsessed that it's on my mind and I just picture peeling that scab off of another person.
diamondintherough
July 24, 2009

In reply to by Trini

I have been picking for around 10 years,although I have always scratched my scalp.Mostly I pick at my face,but recently, I have begun picking everywhere.The problem is,because it is such an automatic thing when I feel stressed (which is pretty much ALL the time),I have actually picked at my bum cheeks in public ! Embarrassing. Also,having my family yelling at me to " STOP PICKING YOUR FACE !" doesn't help,just makes me more stressed. Also, if I am rubbing my boyfriends back, I have to pick at him if I feel any bumps.I think I am going to try a fidget item,and Vitamin B injections (my girlfriend is a nurse,so she can do it for me) I am glad there is a forum where we can discuss this without having to feel bad about it.
Sals
July 08, 2009
Hi, I'm brand new here and this is my first post. I pick my scalp. I'm a nail technician and constantly wear nail enhancements. Unfortnately I found it hasn't helped at all, but maybe that's because they feel like my real nails.
bas
July 10, 2009
If i was a lady i would use acrylics and concealer.... take every advantage that you can. On the other hand, being a guy made me face my picking more directly simply because i could not hide it, therefore motivating me to pick less.
ipick42
July 24, 2009
Hi I 22 almost 23 and I've picked my face since I was probably 12, or whenever I first started getting zits. I have had a clear face for 1 year !!!!!!!!! I had gel nails that whole year. But I can't afford them anymore and I broke them so now they're gone as of 2 weeks ago and my face is really picked all of a sudden all over again. i am very sad about this :( When I wasn't picking my face for that year though, I bit apart all inside my mouth, my cheeks, my tongue. Ewww i did the picky thing inside my mouth :'( Now after ive take off the fake nails, my nails are completely wrecked, they will take at least 6 months for my nails to grow back to normal... u kno when they tear up a road ?.. yea thats what my nails look like !! So now my face, my mouth AND my once beautiful nails are all wrecked all at once within the last 2 weeks :'( :'( :'(
FrankVerdin86
July 15, 2011

In reply to by ipick42

Hi! Yes, I've just recently tried this approach; have had one "fill" so far. Dang disorder has me trying to "outsmart" my nails and trying to see if I can still pick. So far my cuticles are doing MUCH better as a result of the acrylics, and the nails deter picking of some finer hairs on my legs/arms. It's been interesting to want to pick SO BADLY at something and be thwarted. Almost annoying and frustrating tho I ought to be happy, right??! I'm still able to pick at my kp arms; the nails are thicker and blunter, so I think that helps with lessening the injury/'breaking the skin. Also, just the new sensation helps to bring the picking to my consciousness, at least it did moreso during the 1st week. The downsides: After a few weeks some of the edges are coming off my nail beds, which I find rather unsightly. It gets expensive and time consuming to get them filled. I'm a naturalist, so I was petrified that someone would notice and think I was a fake (yes, caring what other people think strikes again!) Let me know what you decide. I'll email you, too, as I'm seeking all the support I can get and I would love to support you on your life-changing journey! Best wishes, Katie frank verdin
deniyal
July 24, 2009
Does anyone else do this ? I have been picking since i was a teenager. ... The only time I was ever able to stop was when I had acrylic ... liposuction
secoble
July 31, 2009
i have found that when i do get the acrylic nails i still pick... but it actually doesnt do as much damage to the skin bc the nail is thicker... so i still picked it just didnt scar as bad bc they wont let u dig so much and wont break the skin as easy
pumpky1107
August 01, 2009
Finally got my acrylics done today. Had to let my thumbs heal first! Well, its too hard to pick at the skin on my fingers but I've been going at my face with them. This is such a destructive disorder, How depressing for us all..............
julie123
August 11, 2009
Acne is mainly caused due to overproduction of sebum in sebaceous glands of the body. Diet containing much oil must be avoided to prevent from acne. Balanced nutritious diet should be taken. http://www.skinb5.com/
slaggy
August 11, 2009
I just pick until the nails fall off. I found myself actually enjoying the acrylic nail-picking as if on some sort of vacation or perhaps like, a challenge. I found it maybe lessened the picking but barely anything noticable. You get used to the nails like you get used to wiping your butt with the nails on. :(
pumpky1107
August 12, 2009

In reply to by slaggy

Yeah, I've found ay around the nails to continue picking. I can still pick my face with the acrylics and somewhat my fingers. Seems I've been worse on my face now. What a vicious circle this is................

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