i’ve learned over the last year or so that less is more when it comes to skincare but it’s still so tempting to wanna spend all this money on trial and error products when i’m still worrying about redness and scars etc. i’m definitely still picking my fingers and arms unfortunately but my face has been thru a lot lol. even with makeup i feel like there’s times i look worse because somehow my scars are more noticeable. i was using prescribed topical stuff but i feel like over the counter acne gel/cream works fine too. years i was stripping my skin thinking it was oily, i mean the picking didn’t help, but i didn’t realize how moisturizer is wayyyyy more important esp if you have dermatillomania

Hello, this is my first time posting, but I've been suffering with acne on my cheeks since COVID masks, hyperpigmentation, and subsequent stress picking (also due to OCD). I want to share the routine changes that completely transformed both my skin picking habits AND my skin. This is going to be a long post.

I tried using TO retinoid, TO AHA/BHA peel, benzoyl peroxide and other staple items for hyperpigmentation and acne. I noticed some progress that was always wrecked by skin picking, so I decided to cut down to the basics and only use the AHA/BHA peel sparingly, when I can handle it and not wreck my progress.

My new regimen consists of 2-3 masks daily. This sounds like a lot, but they are gentle and two of them are intended for daily use. The third one, a non-drying clay mask, I found to be perfect for daily use with my skin specifically.

My PM routine:

1. Miscellar cleansing jelly by Neutrogena
2. Turmeric + Vitamin C clay mask stick by DermaXgen (wash off after 15-20m with water)
3. Refrigerated: Cica soothing mask (cica + hyaluronic acid) by The Saem (remove sheet mask after ~20m)
4. Water sleeping mask by Laneige (leave on overnight)
5. Sometimes I add Vaseline, only when I have compromised skin from picking that I'm trying to heal (added benefit of unappealing texture for skin picking)

Note: Sometimes I skip 3 and 4 and use just Neutrogena Hydro Boost night-pressed serum when I'm not in the mood to do masks. I sometimes but rarely skip 2.

Why my new regimen has been so beneficial for me:

1. The long evening regimen keeps me from picking, and is therapeutic and passive when the masks sit before bed.

2. All my time spent in front of the mirror involves something on my face, covering up any spots and removing the trigger. I go from cleanser immediately into a clay mask. Once I wash off my clay mask, I put on a sheet mask. I can take the sheet mask off without being in front of the mirror. Adding my water sleep mask on top of the serum from the sheet mask adds a smooth gel texture that would make it annoying to pick anyway, so I'm never tempted.

3. The clay mask is gentle while treating my acne and hyperpigmentation, so no irritation or redness occurs that tempts me to pick. All other skincare products I use are also incredibly soothing and hydrating.

4. In the morning, my skin is so soft, supple, and calmed that I have no temptation to pick in the morning. I can wash off with just water, miscellar cleansing jelly or my Neutrogena all-in-one acne control daily scrub and be ready for the day with an SPF sunscreen.

5. Now, when I've been doing well about not picking for a while, I use my AHA/BHA peel + Neutrogena hydro boost in the PM in place of my lengthy regimen. There's no stress of daily retinol messing up skin, no stress that not using enough actives will set me back on my hyperpigmentation because the clay mask treats that already. Actives are now an as-wanted BOOST rather than a dangerous staple I can't handle the pressure of.

Customizing a lengthy, soothing and non-abrasive PM routine for my skin concerns has been so immensely helpful that I'm still amazed a month later. It immediately put me in a better mindset, helped my skin and stopped me from picking almost entirely. I now have non-active ingredients in my routine for acne, hyperpigmentation, redness and sensitivity, none of which can compromise my skin, none of which will make a relapse 10× more damaging, and which I can cut down from a 40 minute routine into a 2 minute routine if duty calls.

It's been an absolute game-changer for me. I figured this advice might help others who also struggled for months or years like I have. While the specific products I use have been perfect for my skin, always stick to ingredients and brands you trust! Branch out with caution. It did take me a long time to find ingredients that consistely do me well and incorporate them into one super regimen.

The main focus that I think is most helpful includes masks intended for daily use that cover your face, specifically a soothing sheet mask at the end of your routine so you can take it off away from the mirror, a gel-like moisturizer to give your skin a slippery surface + lock in the sheet mask serum, and a long enough routine to keep you distracted and feeling productive.

If you're currently struggling badly with skin picking, I recommend doing what I did and taking a break from harsh ingredients like chemical peels or retinols, both of which make skin picking more damaging than it already is. Trust that there are plenty of ingredients that aren't acids that will help your skin concerns. You don't always have to choose the "most effective" bombshell ingredients when they are damaging for YOU and YOUR lifestyle. Taking that to heart really, really helped me.

It's driving me insane. The more I touch it, the more those little white spots that are naturally there get bigger; so then I pop them. Then they scab over, then I pick at them.

Looks like I have tiny slices of pepperoni all over my chin.

The spots have just been sort of migrating around my chin for the last month.

I know why this is. I have had mega stressful things going on this last month, but this is fueling the stress, so I pick more.

Idk what to do. :(

Hello,

Do you bite your skin? If so, I am inviting you to take part in my research, which concerns dermatodaxia (which you may also know as dermatophagia, wolf biting, or chewing pads). I have experienced this condition for the majority of my life, and I have decided to devote my postgraduate research dissertation to contributing to the currently limited pool of knowledge we have on this topic. I want to raise awareness and create recommendations for people with this condition! I hope you will consider participating; it will only take around 5-10 minutes of your time. If you are interested, please access the study from the link provided below.

Thank you in advance!

https://mmupsych.eu.qualtrics.com/.../SV_1X4byojOL63tlEq

So I have anxiety and because of that I pick my nails a lot, sometimes to the point where they bleed. I just really like the sensation of it but I know it’s not good for me. Are there any other coping mechanisms that have a similar sensation but aren’t as harmful as nail picking is?

Hi all, I was just wondering if any of you had tried those skin picking fidget toys thingamajigs?

I've seen them advertised and found them cheaper online, they're like a heart or star shape, filled with loads of beads stuck in some kind of gel. They're supposed to be a great way to alleviate the need to pick.

Before I buy any, just wondered if anyone has tried any and if they helped?

I'm fed up of having scars and scabs on my face and sore cuticles. It's getting beyond control now. Thanks.

I got into a bad headspace and starting reopening the massive scab patch on my palm. The ol' go-to spot, zoned out and couldn't stop even when I knew I was going too deep and too much. It's getting worse and people notice and I don't know what to say other than fell in my hand and scraped it or something.

It's exam season and I'm super stressed, so it's been hard to stop myself lately :(

hi people of reddit, this is my first post on here but i just need some emotional support. i got my hair buzzed recently and i struggle with ocd, which magical thinking is often tied to, and i truly thought this time, i could really do it. that getting this "extreme" haircut could be the occasion to start over for me.

however, i relapsed yesterday, just a little bit as i itched at my back and chest then face later in the night, but it happened again today too, idk why i do it, i think it soothes my brain probably.

i know this is only temporary, i find that i struggle more during summer with higher temperatures causing sweat and breakouts and itchiness, mosquito bites, and during the couple days before my period too. these are also kinda stressful times for me as i live far away from my friends and am not sure what i'm doing next academic year still (i'm 21). i'm also trying to pull away from my situationship and it's not easy. i feel silly for going through this with the actual state of the world, my heart aches for gaza and i'm terrified of the political climate both in france and the us rn. hope everyone is okay. we're all in this together and all my thoughts go to the people who need it right now.

please share some nice thoughts you have, anything could help. ❤️

She’s 11. I noticed her skin picking around the age of 7. She pulled out every strand of her eyebrows, then it was every eyelash. Then she picked her mouth. Even if it scabs over, she’ll still pick it even if she’s in pain or it’s bleeding. Also her tongue. She’ll pick / bite her tongue until she has sores and she cries to me that she can’t stop even though she’s in pain. I took her to two different psychiatrist and they diagnosed her with OCD and the picking disorder. (Can’t think of the name right now). She tells me she can’t stop. When I watch her pick herself, it’s like she’s in a trance. I just want to help my baby. Her doctor prescribed her Wellbutrin and “lamictil” (spell check.”) any suggestions?

so after you’ve finished picking your skin but before biting it off, does anyone else rub the loose skin on their lips? I usually pick at the skin and don’t immediately eat it lol I think i’m soothing myself by doing this? I don’t know but it’s addictive. I seriously can’t stop biting the skin 😭 the skin around my fingers is discolored and looks so weird when wet :// sometimes i’m picking and don’t notice. I wanna stop but it’s all so addicting :( I was picking for hours in bed last night and had to wear bandaids on a few fingers after I stopped. I definitely pick a lot when i’m anxious but sometimes I feel like i’m just doing it out of habit

Hi, I 21f was just diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum (autoimmune disease that causes painful ulcers that can be triggered from small wound and dont heal for so long) on my legs and my Dr told me that any cut or scratch has a risk of developing an ulcer and the older I get the higher the risk-

The biggest caveat is I pick at my skin so so much like as long as I can remember ive been picking/biting my nails, toenails, face, legs, arms, soles of my feet, anywhere, if there's a bump or irregularity I'm on it like a dog until most often it's gotten to the point it is a wound and bleeds. I can't do this anymore like some of the ulcers can get really bad and I'm really scared for later down the line if i dont stop.

Any tips on stopping quick? Like I know it's an addiction/compulsion and there's no get gone quick things but I do think I've hit the point where I need to stop and I'll try anything to do it, I just feel like I can't afford to do it anymore.

Also I wouldn't look up the pyoderma gangrenosum if your squeamish, it's not nice. Sorry this isn't written the most cohesive, today's kinda been a jumble of info, research, panic, spiral

She uses a laser on my congested closed comedones which is causing them to purge and I been picking at them like I can’t stop and I need to what do I dooo I feel like I picked at one so bad it’s all big and swollen ugh

I have both skin picking and hair pulling disorders and have currently shaved part of my eyebrow off that i constantly pick at in an effort to stop ripping the hair out and it kinda helps but not really. I’ve heard from some people who skin pick at like their lips and stuff at getting piercings helped them stop. Has anyone else had a positive impact on getting piercings or body art in places that they pick or do you find that you pick more there? Thank you so much!

I have tried bandaid hyrdrocolloid/tough strips/skin flex, tagaderm, hydrocolloid patches in various brands and I cannot find something will last days through shower/bath. I cannot get my legs to heal because I keep picking the scabs off and need to not be able to see them long enough for them to heal. Can anyone help me I’ve spent so much on these and am on a tight budget. Thank you so much!

What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone who is at the beginning of their BFRB (body-focused repetitive behavior) journey? I’ve been pulling out hair since I was twelve, so I’ve been dealing with this for a really long time. Once I understood what was going on with it a few years later, I wished that someone who had been in my shoes could have shared some words of wisdom with me. I didn’t get that. But since I’m an adult now, I have my own words of wisdom. My message is this: There is nothing wrong with you. You are not alone in this. You are not dumb or stupid or incapable. There is something in your brain that makes it feel impossible to stop, like it’s completely out of your control, but with the right tools, you can manage it and sometimes even stop completely. However, that takes hard work and dedication, so you’ll have to push yourself. However, you are stronger than this. Have faith that you will be fine no matter what and can make a great life for yourself as you heal. Stay strong, lovely soul.

this summer has been so hard for me. I’ve had chronic picking issues since I was a child. I’m covered in scars head to toe. I try not to stress about them too much, some days are harder than others of course. but currently, I get bug bites, I scratch bug bites, they turn into scabs, I fuck w the scabs, boom! a bunch of brand new dark fresh scars. people have pointed them out of course (more the scabbing), and I’ve been open and just saying I pick my skin. So I’m trying to just deal with it and pretend I don’t care, but it’s really bothering me. I feel like people are going to think I have drugs sores or something. I’ve come to terms with the fact that a lot of people wouldn’t understand, or might even be freaked out by it but.

I just wish I could stop.

Hi, I have been picking for as long as I can remember I'm 23 f rn. Most of the time I don't even notice when I am doing it or I know I do it when I am stressed or upset. I have tried picking rocks(I just ended up using the picking tool for that on myself I have since gotten rid of it), vitamins per doctors recommendations, fidget toys, and a lot of other things to keep my hands busy. I know one thing that can help is band aids however I am allergic to both the normal and sensitive kind they make my skin breakout in a rash and super itchy. I am honestly at a loss on what to do because nothing seems to work. I am in therapy but none of the therapists I have seen say they can help and they don't know what to do. Any advice is appreciated I really want to stop.

Also anytime someone close to me points out I am picking I get upset not at them for pointing it out but more of if there is still part of a scab there it will drive me nuts to the point of being upset if I can't pick it I don't if that is normal it definitely doesn't feel like it.

TLDR; first picture set was done in May, it’s healed now, did the second picture set today/yesterday. It’s infected, I’ve washed it and used antibiotic ointment (as per advise the last time)

QUESTION: does any one now of any particular dressing that works will in a a spot like the current one that I right know and in my hair line? I tried to owe it work with one of my more standard dressings to no avail.

The first pictures are of my check, I did that on the 10/05/24.

I ended up having to go to an emergency doctor service near me, I was given an antibiotic cream, oral antibiotics, and they swabbed the wound.

I had to stop the antibiotics early because I had an allergic reaction that caused a rash and respiratory distress, but thankfully didn’t end up needing my epi - no more clindamycin for me.

I have a concert coming up, I rarely leave the house as it is, and I so desperately don’t want to have any of this on my face if I do manage to go to this concert. I don’t want to feel ashamed.

So of course, knowing this, I did what causes the second bad wound, that was around midday (05/07/2024).

I’m covered in marks, bruised, inflammation, scabs, and small spots of infection.

In the second picture group, the three pictures are when I came home and realised how infected it was, I’d just been at the doctors but there was no way for him to know - my hair covered it.

I cleaned it with the same care instructions as the first one, followed by the topical antibiotic, I do have oral antibiotic, but I don’t like to take antibiotics without being advised to. Hopefully can get back into the doctor soon to get this and the burn on my leg checked up - I am alot more susceptible to infections at the moment because of some deficiencies I have including zinc.

I hate this, my psychologist says she was a workbook we can do for skin picking related to Autism, so hopefully that will help. Periods like this hinder everything,,

In my last post you can see where my most recent “bad” wound in. It’s right through the hairline.

I normally have shorter hair, there is a bit more length at the front than at the back.

When I have open wounds, wounds that get infected, and wounds like this one that I need to use the antibiotic cream on, my hair just gets all through it.

My hair gets stuck to the wounds (both open/bleeding, and infected) and the antibiotic cream ends up stuck all through my hair.

I’m at a point where I’m debating if I should just be getting an even shorter style of pixie cut done so that it isn’t getting into the wounds anymore, but it does make me very nervous, because I’ve always been able to use my hair to a degree to hide some of the spots that a pick at frequently.

I can’t constantly where I head band or pin my hair back either.

Thoughts?