A few things that have worked for me

[Jenni]

Hello everyone, I am a new member who has found this site to be very helpful. Right now, instead of going to pick I am going to share some of the things that have worked for me.

1. Before I go into the bathroom to take a shower I smear a face mask product on my face. This way I can't see anything I would want to pick at. This also prevents picking because if I went to pick my fingers would just slide over my face and get messy.

2. I go tanning. Tanning has helped me out so much. It has dryed up my acne and for one reason or another caused me to not pick so much. I think it is because the tan color on my face hides some of the things I would normally pick at. Plus, having a tan makes me feel good about myself. I don't go too often...and I use protection...I know tanning isn't great for you, but the picking is way worse for me.

3. The anti depressant Lexapro has seemed to help me out with some of the urges and to have more control.

4. Using products with Benzoyl Peroxide, was recommended by my doctor. These products have prevented acne as well as dry up some of my pick marks.

Hope some of these tips can help some of you, let me know if you have any questions...

Jenni

[bluegem]

I have another suggestion to add to this list: Op-Site. It's like a clear bandaid, can barely tell it's on when you put it on right. You can chop it up into little bits the size of your sores (may take a while to get used to getting it on right, I used tweezers for a while). It completely seals the skin and it heals so much faster, and best of all no one asks what the bandaids are for. They're $1 for a sheet (in Australia) but that can last a while. Just don't take them off for a few days, since they completely seal you can barely feel a bump when you run your hands over them. Helped me a lot since I pick by feel. If you leave them on for at least 3 or 4 days then even if you pick it after, it's healed enough under the scab. Hope that can help some of you.