posted 08-21-2002 02:48 AM            

You know it definately is like being in some sort of trance. It sorta happens subconciously and then when you do realize it, it's either too late or you finish the job. I definately think it's caused by some form of underlying stress and aggrivation because that's usually when it seems to happen.

So you can really get a skin virus huh? OK everybody think that! Think that if you don't stop picking, you will get a virus and it will make you look completely horrible and disgusting. It definately is possible and that's the mind frame I am using now, because while DHT may be problem, I'm the biggest enemy for my own hair problems.

Also, I agree that if the pimple or, in my case scab, wasn't there we wouldn't do it, but it will never HEAL if we keep doing it. I've always stopped once vainity came into play I couldn't wear my hair a certain way, thus my hair eventually grew back. So I believe that by remaining as ignorant as possible it might help. If you don't look at your skin too much (miracles happen faster that way) and if we don't touch our skin more than neccessary, it will heal (a few days or weeks). All we have to do is let it heal...

posted 08-21-2002 03:21 PM            

You have a bad habit and the only way to replace it is to not identify with it and to replace it with another action. Try this for a month and you will be amazed.

posted 08-22-2002 08:18 PM            

Sweetjade: i just recently got paula's choice BHA 1%. i still havent used it, though. what time of day do you apply it? also, do you apply it JUST on the areas that you get the plugs? in my case, i dont really get any inflamations anymore. its stictly pluged pores (white/black heads) in the t-zone area. nothing i've tried so far seems to get rid of them. they are SUCH a pain in the asss! if i can i wouldnt want to apply it all over my face since i really am not a fan of peeling. if it was only in the t-zone, though..i wouldnt really care.

take care

posted 08-23-2002 12:32 AM            

I would suggest that you trash the Calamine because it can actually cause pore cloggage. Yes it does look similar to Bye Bye Blemish, etc and it does contain 2 of the same ingredients, but it doesn't contain the Salicylic Acid nor the Colloidal Sulfur. However since you can't handle BHA, then you should just find products that will dry up those persistant buggers and do it 2x a day max. Use Queen Helene Mint Julip Mask or use a pure bentonite (or similar) clay mask. Use DDF OR PTR OR similar Sulfur masks (the purer the better) or buy the pure Colloidal sulfur and make your own mask with water, aloe or honey.

The thing is you need to dry them up, but not over irritate them and that should do it. I can't think of any other products, but keep using the Aqua Glycolic or similar AHA astringents to encourage exfoilation and penetration. In fact before you apply your masks make sure put some AHA on them first. =)

posted 12-04-2002 01:39 PM            

I am also a picker...however, just recently - I've stopped plexing over my spots and my skin has totally cleared up.

I wash my face 2x's a day, put my moisturizer on in the morning, retin-a at night, etc...however, the key is, I stand about 6 feet away from my mirror so I can't see the nasty little zits. If I can't see them, I won't pick them and if I don't pick them, I don't stress, if I don't pick, plex and stress, I don't wash my face 80 x's...all of which create more zits.

Thougth I'd share.

posted 12-04-2002 01:49 PM            

I tried prescription medicines for OCD, but it didn't stop any of the three problems.
I am currently trying an incentive-type of method for controlling these urges.

I became engaged in January of 2002. I stopped biting my nails because my beautiful engagement ring looked horrid on my ragged hands.

My skin flared up a few months ago, so I finally went to the dermatologist. He told me that if I don't stop picking, my skin will scar before my May 2003 wedding. I stopped picking my acne.

I went to get a hair cut last week. My beautician said that if I stop pulling now, my hair might fill in almost totally before the wedding. If I keep pulling at this rate, though, not even a veil will cover it up. So now I am working on the hair pulling and doing better.

I know not everyone has events to use in this manner. Also, this is rather negative reinforcement- I'll admit that. But it's working, and that's what matters right now.

posted 12-06-2002 12:41 AM            

Anyways, yeah I popped basically every little thing I could find on my face. Luckily mostly everything was pretty ready, but I popped one or two spots that I shouldn't have (the blemishes) and now I'm left with like the noticeable blood caught up under the skin type thing.

posted 01-31-2003 06:58 PM            

I too have ruined my face when it was perfectly fine before I walked into the bathroom (and I too have a kitty who sits there and meows and me the whole time - how cute is that?!) Afterwards I felt awful, hiding myself in the house for days and afraid to answer the door. I had created a prison for myself and I was confused beyond belief. I tried to cover all the mirrors in the house. I would cut out pictures of clear faces from magazines and try to stare at them when I felt like messing with my face. I would try to distract myself - anything, and nothing worked.

Thing is, I'm a really attractive woman and have always turned heads. Why then, would I deliberately destroy the ONE good thing mother nature gave me (you haven't seen flat chested until you've seen me!)? Was it some kind of self-loathing? Was I secretly resentful that people only responded to my outward appearance and so felt I had to destroy it? Was I a closet social phobe doing this to keep from going to parties, etc? As you can see, I've been around in circles in my head.

posted 01-31-2003 11:32 PM            

but if i absolutely have to pick, here's a plan that WORKS: allow yourself a limit. if i see some real nasty zits, i'll say to myself, "self, you get 5 today." then i have to choose the most tempting ones, and once i've done 5, that's it. leave the bathroom. you're done. NO MORE ALLOWED! that way you let yourself squueze the major ones, but you don't go hunting for trivial stuff like i tend to do.

posted 02-02-2003 09:05 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by kali32:
You all have taken about a decade's worth of self-doubt and bewilderment off my back! I can't thank you enough for your honesty. I identify with everyone. I really truly believed that I was the only one who did this and I had myself convinced that I was the biggest freak of nature.

---

I completely agree with everthing you've said. after suffering from a mild initial outbreak of acne around 7 years ago I have spent my time since then despairing over my habit, which I don't seem to be able to kick no matter how much I want to. my case is pretty much the same as everyone else on this thread and it is such a huge relief to know that I'm not actually the only person on the planet that suffers from this problem. whenever I'm alone I will spend hours (to my surprise) in front of a mirror picking and squeezing my face raw, even where there is nothing there - half aware of what I am doing but not being able to stop no matter how derpressed I will be after I finish or despite the disruption it brings to my life. I haven't met anyone in 'real life' that has a similar problem and I honestly thought I must be the only person stupid enough to suffer from such a self destructive compulsion... it's particularly upsetting because i know if I would just leave my face I would have a completely clear complexion..instead I end up covered in red marks and blotches. I haven't left the house without a face full of make-up a single time in the last 7 years, even though I know how bad this looks in itself I just can't face the world without it. the longest I have managed without picking is a little over a week...I have had periods of improvement even to the point where my skin has nearly been normal but I always relapse and get so angry at myself. at the moment it's not too bad so I guess I will just keep persevering. knowing that others have identical problems and are managing to overcome them certainly helps.

posted 04-10-2003 02:52 AM            

My skin problem is still extremely, and I mean extremely, oily skin which means that I have blackheads all over my face, chest, back, and upper arms. If I do NOT push them out, my face starts looking like it is literally swelling out from all the plugs underneath it. After I pick, the pores close a bit more and my skin is smoother and not swollen. What I need is something to lift these blackheads out and stop all the oil. I am a literal oil machine, which is even a term my dermatologist has used. I have tried everything under the sun, except Burt's Bees. Guess I will run out and get that tomorrow, but my question is what do they have in their line that is best for BLACKHEADS???

Thanks for being there and being honest everyone. I really thought I was the only one, and I've been through the seclusion and depression stuff too.

posted 05-11-2003 06:17 PM            

Part of me hopes my boyfriend will catch on to my problem so he can help!