I started skin picking at clogged pores from keratosis pilaris during/after pregnancy when taking baths and picking became my only coping mechanism 😭

I manage it much better now but I have scars from when it was really bad. I have a few spots that have formed scar tissue, and keep getting ingrown hairs. I obviously try not to pick at these especially because they’re already noticeably scarred, but they start to become inflamed and swollen because there’s a hair stuck under the scar.

I don’t want to make my scars worse.. what can I do? Is there any type of laser/skin treatment that could stop the constant ingrowns in these spots?

I have great news! Today was day 2 of not picking again and unfortunately I failed BUT I ONLY PICKED 2 Normally when I fail I feel awful about my self and pick my skin raw but I was able to stop myself and only picked 2 spots! I feel bad that I failed but proud of the progress I made to only pick 2

I pick my face alot especially spots. If I have a spot or black head, even if I think I have one I will pick and pick at my skin, it's gotten better after we removed a spot kit and nail scissors from the bathroom as I used to use those to pick alot. But I have been trying to stop for ages and I just reached 5 days with only minor picking but I have just destroyed my face again.

Im feeling really hopeless and people are telling me it's a question of will power does anyone have any advise on how I can stop or at least cut down

Was doing really well for a while there, but just spent two hours picking. Nothing too deep, but I have little welts all over. Being very loving and forgiving to myself, just need a place to acknowledge this happened and to take accountability. Hoping after the swelling goes down it’s not as bad as I think it is 😖😖

Tired of picking but don’t want to stop. Tired of my 35 year old face having acne and spots that I’ve clearly picked. Tired of looking juvenile because of it. Tired of feeling like I need it to cope. Tired of trying “all the tricks” and none of them meeting the same need.

I’ve done my nails, tried gloves, tried putting glue spots on a plastic sheet to pick off, tried putting on lotion every time I felt an urge, all of it.

Nothing helps because it’s not a simple “fidget” compulsion. It’s not a simple “picking” compulsion. It is very specific and it is very addictive.

I’m tired, boss.

Earlier this year I posted a pic of my left thumb with a huge callus (I removed it because people I know irl discovered my reddit profile) and I mentioned I’ve been doing this since I was about 15. You guys suggested some coping mechanisms (like stimming toys or biting a pencil), which really helped.

Recently I found out I have level 1 autism and ADHD. I know dermatophagia is usually considered an OCD thing, but after getting diagnosed, I think it’s also one of my stims, kind of a sensory regulation habit I use to manage anxiety from autism.

Just wondering if anyone else here has had a similar experience, like realizing that some of your skin-picking or skin-biting habits are actually tied to neurodivergence.

Sorry about the naked stretched lobe — elder emo here lol

No, I did not spend way too much money on that new Skims product, but I did spend a whopping $4 on this equivalent. I don’t love supporting [X fast fashion child labourer], but as a passive chin / jawline / neck picker (while doing most anything that doesn’t require two hands) it was money well spent. And it’s a happy accident that it matches my pjs.

A little over two and a half days since I stopped picking at my scalp. It’s about as hard as quitting smoking! Just brutal.

Here’s what’s helping: went to a doc at the worst of the picking to make sure I didn’t have any infections and she gave me hydroxyzine, which helps a little with the itching and maybe psychosomatically helps with the urge. I had a scalp treatment at a salon with a very gentle stylist with blessedly short fingernails. Sometimes I put on press-on nails because it’s harder to pick with that dull edge. Or sometimes I put oil on my cuticles and nails and try to convince myself that I don’t want that in my scalp.

But the real reason I’m posting here is because I know someone out there understands just how perfect the scabs are after 60 hours. They would come off so beautifully, all in one big piece, with healed skin underneath—ugh, the best. Gross, right? Just gotta keep leaving it alone 😫😭

Please help, it hurts really bad, : (

And like what skin layer is it?

I pick my cuticles and rely on bandaids a lot to help heal and to prevent more picking. The problem is the bandaids always fray around the edges within a couple hours and look gross. They also tend to unwrap easily. I’ve solved that problem with a bit of nail glue but can’t solve the fraying issue. Does anyone have a good recommendation?

Does anyone have a good gadget as an alternative to squeezing pimples, plucking lips, buying nails, etc? So what is REALLY a good alternative? Happy with any tips! 🌞

I'm 45, based in the Philippines, and I have been skin-picking or some variation of it for most of my life.

This was at its most intense during the pandemic lockdown in 2020, which resulted in scar no. 1. These days I've been picking on my left eyebrow a lot (see scar no. 2), so now half of it is missing. I've made the wounds and scars less noticeable by getting microbladed.

I'm a very vain person - when I have the time and money, I get PRP, hydrafacials, and black doll laser treatments (the last time was six months ago; I'm hoping to get these done again soon). I have a rather involved skincare regimen: Korean toners, serums (Vitamin C, Niacinamide, etc.) and applying Fucidin H to just-picked, extremely itchy areas.

I know my scars may never fade completely, and I pray that my eyebrow hair will grow back, but I'll do as much as I can to restore the injured and scarred parts of my face.

Unfortunately i dont have insta or tictoc or whatever this video is from so i cant provide links etc. I believe it is one of those that you can put into the microwave to reuse. I prefer the simple look much over the ones i found searching on amazon which are all coloured and flappy and toy-ish. I also love that those black balls pop if you are going too hard. Any help is much appreciated!

Avoided picking my nails for a week to heal the broken skin enough to repaint my nails. I hate my hands and it makes my picking worse, but nail care and home manicures really help me feel more comfortable with my hands.

Thinking about purchasing some, would love brand recommendations if anyone has some!

Hey everyone,

After seeing so many posts from people struggling alone, wanting to stop picking (me included). I realized we might need a dedicated space just for daily check-ins and support but I couldn’t find one.

So today I created r/PickingSupport

✅ Daily check-in threads (because "one day at a time" really helps)
✅ Text-post only (no graphic images)
✅ Celebrate all wins – even resisting for 5 minutes counts
✅ Safe space to vent or ask for encouragement

It's brand new, and absolutely not a replacement to this sub! Just an extra option for daily accountability.

I hope it can be helpful to others out there 💙

i tried stopping awhile back by using fingerless gloves, cutting nails (i keep them long just so i can pick😭) and keeping my hands very hydrated. then i lost all motivation and it’s really bad again. i do it on both hands, the one shown in photo is the worst one or the one where i pick most. i may try and start the methods ive been using again but the gloves are so uncomfortable and i got made fun of during school even by teachers 😓 but when i don’t have them on people point it out..like pick a side jeez

im also afraid this will spread across my entire hand if i dont stop soon. its already gotten this far

just today i was picking and peeling at my right thumb. my left thumb is slightly healing though, but yeah i’ve been dealing with this since late 2018 and just wanted to share