Skin picking

[TableNiner]

I’ve been a terrible skin picker for many years, mainly picking spots on my face. It’s only recently I’ve realised this is considered a psychological condition, usually brought on my stress or anxiety. It has a name - dermatillomania.

Last year I asked DP to hide my magnifying mirror and have made a concerted effort to stop. This has made a massive difference to my skin as the picking, whilst ostensibly was supposed to ‘sort my skin’ out, was spreading bacteria, which then led to more spots and then more picking. My skin is quite durable so I don’t have much scarring, although sometimes the damage shows much later in hyperpigmentation..

I was just wondering about others’ experiences with this, as there are so many threads about bad skin. It might help some people to understand this is more complex than just squeezing spots. Does anyone think they are making things worse? It seems like it can’t be that common as you don’t hear very much about it.

One of a few articles I’ve been reading www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/a30678364/stop-skin-picking-tips/

Not me but my mum has this. Gets worse during stress, sometimes she does it without thinking. I think bio oil and cocoa butter really helped her.

This is really interesting. I've picked at my skin almost obsessively for as long as I can remember, but I used to have fairly good skin so it never really registered as an issue.

I've fairly recently developed hormonal acne on my face, arms and back (at 33) and I just can't stop picking which is making it worse and worse. I've spent ££ on skin care but obviously it's not working because I'm picking at it so much.

I have pretty bad anxiety and depression which has been getting worse with everything that's going on in the world and now that I think about it, picking at my skin had increased too - Ive never connected the two or know there was a name for it!

Thank you for posting, I'm going to look into it more

My name is TinyHouseFan and I'm a skin picker Like you, TableNiner, I pick obsessively with a magnifier mirror which I have also asked my DH to hide. Trouble is, I've now found the hiding spot and I'm still picking but not quite as often.

I always think just one more time, or one more pore or one more blackhead or whatever, it's exactly like every other addiction (but obviously way less destructive to myself and others).

It ruins my skin, never improves it...

Mine is definitely linked to stress. I also scratch my scalp and bite my nails when stressed too...

I pick my head. I hate it but can’t stop. I only recently realised it’s a form of OCD. I’d love to stop.

I am a recovered skin picker!!!
Mine was definitely definitely related to stress. In my case it sometimes led to awful bacterial infections which needed treating with antibiotic cream😭😭😭

I have made some huge life style changes which has helped enormously to reduce the stress (hence picking). In my case I also had quite bad hormonal spots which led me to pick. I’m on the pill now and don’t get those anymore, which really helps reduce the urge to pick. Even so, on a bad day I sometimes will still “scan” my skin looking for tiny imperfections to pick. I’m a lot more mindful about it now so can often resist the urge!!!

I’m so grateful I’m better now, it was an awful stage in my life. I don’t mean to gloat, I just mean to say it CAN get better. Do see your GP! If you have an underlying skin condition like acne they may be able to address that which will help with the or they’ll be able to help you find better coping mechanisms.

Also, just throw out those magnifying mirrors! You really don’t need them for make up etc and they will only feed into the problem. Good luck.

I’m a psychotherapist, Skin picking falls under Body focused repetitive disorders and often have strong links to anxiety And in some cases body dysmorphia. There are some good support groups out there as well as CBT to help.

I'm a nail biter, every now and again I manage to give up. Then I pick. So my nails look nice and my skin is bad... so I bite my nails then they look awful and my skin gets a bit better. Just want nice skin and nice nails at the same time. I am constantly feeling my skin/nails for rough bits to pick/chew. Any advice welcome!