Post by newpath on Apr 6, 2003 0:36:16 GMT -5
I often find that one of my biggest triggors for examining/picking my face is at night when I wash my face in the bathroom before going to bed. I have found that if I go to bed WITH my make-up on instead of putting myself in front of the mirror, my chances are better of leaving it alone (I also feel "prettier" going to bed. Then, in the morning, I wash my face while in the shower (where there is no mirror), and come out feeling very proud of myself, AND the mirror is all foggy, which helps me to avoid seeing myself too clearly. Then, I leave the bathroom, and rely on my make-up mirror to put my make-up on (this way, I only have one hand available - one to hold the mirror and one to apply the make-up). The other advantage to this is that I'm usually in a big hurry with kids, etc. and don't have enough time to sit and pick, plus my husband and kids are running in/out of the bathroom at this time, so I don't get much alone time.
Using the "make-up mirror technique" is also helpful if you're alone. Instead of being in the bathroom, you can plunk down on the couch by the television and watch the news, etc., which also helps to distract you from getting entranced with your facial imperfections.
Although this has worked for me, and I still continue it, I'm currently doing a new pampering routine nightly. I've been washing with Oil of Olay Foaming Face Wash, toning with the Oil of Olay Toner, and applying Alpha Hydrox before going to bed. In the morning, I apply the toner again, and then the Oil of Olay Complete (with SPF 15, etc.) to moisturize and protect. This has really helped my make-up to go on smoother, and leaves my skin flakeless, which was a bigger starter prompt for me to begin picking, scratching, examining, etc. I believe the Alpha Hydrox is really the key, as I had tried this before, and I had the same success, except I hadn't used the toner or the moisturizer, so had problems with dryness and/or getting pimples with the use of moisturizer. Now, I think the toner has just enough alcohol to kill the left-over bacteria on my face before I apply the moisturizer, and I've had no problems with break-outs. It just seems to be the right balance for me.
Another thing that has helped me to leave my chest/back/backs of arms alone, which I no longer have difficulties with, is applying good smelling talcum powder on it. This provides a "mask," so that while in front of a mirror, you can't see your imperfections as easily . . . it provides olfactory stimulation, which distracts you from your visual stimulating triggors . . . AND it leaves your skin feeling much smoother, assisting those who are more tactually stimulated.
Lastly, the biggest help with the chest/back/backs of arms has been my recent weight loss, which has shrunk the amount of skin I can "grab" and examine. Now, I feel like I'm really stretching and damaging my skin when/if I attempt to pick, which has prompted me to give up these areas.
There, that's my ideas for today. Hope they might help someone.
Using the "make-up mirror technique" is also helpful if you're alone. Instead of being in the bathroom, you can plunk down on the couch by the television and watch the news, etc., which also helps to distract you from getting entranced with your facial imperfections.
Although this has worked for me, and I still continue it, I'm currently doing a new pampering routine nightly. I've been washing with Oil of Olay Foaming Face Wash, toning with the Oil of Olay Toner, and applying Alpha Hydrox before going to bed. In the morning, I apply the toner again, and then the Oil of Olay Complete (with SPF 15, etc.) to moisturize and protect. This has really helped my make-up to go on smoother, and leaves my skin flakeless, which was a bigger starter prompt for me to begin picking, scratching, examining, etc. I believe the Alpha Hydrox is really the key, as I had tried this before, and I had the same success, except I hadn't used the toner or the moisturizer, so had problems with dryness and/or getting pimples with the use of moisturizer. Now, I think the toner has just enough alcohol to kill the left-over bacteria on my face before I apply the moisturizer, and I've had no problems with break-outs. It just seems to be the right balance for me.
Another thing that has helped me to leave my chest/back/backs of arms alone, which I no longer have difficulties with, is applying good smelling talcum powder on it. This provides a "mask," so that while in front of a mirror, you can't see your imperfections as easily . . . it provides olfactory stimulation, which distracts you from your visual stimulating triggors . . . AND it leaves your skin feeling much smoother, assisting those who are more tactually stimulated.
Lastly, the biggest help with the chest/back/backs of arms has been my recent weight loss, which has shrunk the amount of skin I can "grab" and examine. Now, I feel like I'm really stretching and damaging my skin when/if I attempt to pick, which has prompted me to give up these areas.
There, that's my ideas for today. Hope they might help someone.
