Newbie

Posts: 3
From:Cambridge, MA, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-30-2003 02:42 AM            

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What do you do when you can't stop picking at your zits? I'm a maniac: I pick at my arms, my back, my face, and squeeze my pores. I can't stop and yet all the picking leaves scabs and scars. Please help me by sharing your tips!

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 1502
From:
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-30-2003 02:53 AM            

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I think finding something that really works for your skin stops a lot of that picking. My face is looking so much better these days to the point that I really don't want to be disturbing it any if I can help it. I think when I hated the way it looked I was more brutal with it, but now I see some hope at the end of the road and how much better it has looked since I've been leaving it alone.

Check the other posts about this topic. Some people had some good suggestions on what they do.

The positive side is that once you start cutting back, it gets easier and easier to stop because you see the damage you've been inflicting and how they tend to spread from all the picking. You can go without makeup too and your breakouts will heal a whole lot faster.

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Senior Member

Posts: 103
From:NJ
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 04-30-2003 09:01 AM            

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one thing that i have done that helps me a little is i put a dimmer lightbulb in my bathroom. it used to be a 100 watts, and now it is 25 watts. this way you can't see all of your imperfections.

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Senior Member

Posts: 163
From:Durham, NC , USA
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-30-2003 09:45 AM            

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I agree with the lightbulb idea... I used to have FOUR 100 watt bulbs above my mirror and I saw everything (even the ones not yet out under my skin)
The other day I changed to four 40 watt bulbs and the difference is amazing... they may still be there but I can't see them and don't get the urge to attack something that hasn't even come up yet...
I've reached a point where I realize now people see big ugly red scabs alot worse than they do a little whitehead or pimple...

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Veteran

Posts: 414
From:england
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 04-30-2003 09:48 AM            

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It's really hard not to pick and mess but the best way of avoiding this is too try and stay away from the bathroom mirror for as long as you can,keep busy and when you find yourself heading towards the bathroom mirror for a little peak,find yourself a job that needs doing.
I know this is hard but in the long run you will be so glad that you never picked at your spots,a friend of mine had really bad facial acne when he was a teenager and now you would never be able to tell because his skin is flawless,this is because he never picked at it.

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Senior Member

Posts: 137
From:NY, USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 04-30-2003 09:52 AM            

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I try to take a deep breath, visualize the damage I will do to my skin and think about how bad I will feel once I've made the spot look and feel 10x worse. That often works for me.

The idea posted above about dim lighting is great too.

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Member

Posts: 62
From:Terre Haute, Indiana, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-30-2003 10:47 AM            

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I've had that same problem....what I have found to work, is that wearing a really good quality foundation during the day keeps my fingers from touching my face because picking it will mess up my makeup. Some people cant wear foundation because it clogs their pores, but if you can, try it, and see if it helps. Make sure you wash it off really well at night though. Try Clinique - that way they can match you up perfectly at the counter.

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Senior Member

Posts: 84
From:Colorado, USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 04-30-2003 11:49 PM            

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My suggestion -- Look at photographs of scars and imagine yourself having them. That should stop you in your tracks. Good luck -- I don't wish acne scars on anyone.

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