Read this, it might just help!

[Froglet]

www.selfinjuriousskinpicking.com/

Read this all the way through... I think it could help a lot of people here. Its a sort of online book which goes through all aspects related to picking, such as why we break out in the first place, emotional reasons that cause us to pick, and ways to stop. Very interesting reading! It certianly has made me think about what I am doing to myself when I pick. Its the first advice Ive heard that really seems to make sense.
For the first time in ages... I really feel like I want to stop.
Let me know what you all think!
Hugs - Lara ;D

[anonymousartist]

thankyou for this post! I don't agree with everything in the "book" but I did find it helpful, especially to be able to think more about what I'm actually doing to my skin and the info about ph balance. I want to let it all heal on its own so much more now.

Everyone should read this!

[kimj]

Yes I've read this before and I just read it again. It has great information and is helpful. It also mentions bdd and other related things.

[Froglet]

Yeah, the part about what we are doing to our skin was what really gave me that extra push to try and quit. I guess thats hte main problem I have - not trusting my skin to heal spots on its own! Well, Ive gone two days without any real picking and Im already looking so much better! Yay!

[anonymousartist]

yes, I've been battling the urge to go after the whiteheads but I keep reminding myself that my skin is doing the healing. I know picking is going to make them come back because they have been coming back in the same spots for some time. It's hard, but, at least they seem easier to cover up than red spots.

[Froglet]

I think it has been that long since I have had normal spots, Ive forgotton what its like! They are much easier to cover than scabs. Plus, I just treated myself to some mineral make up - works a treat, but I don't think it would look so good on picky scabs - would just gather round the edges. I love the way this make up looks and feels though, so its another incentive not to pick!
Now that my skin is healing a little, Im starting to worry about the scaring... my forehead looks the worst. Hopefully it'll even out with time. Boo!
Glad to hear someone else here seems to be making some progress! Keep thinking positive!
Lx

[anonymousartist]

oooh, I know I sort of said something cheeky about the mineral make-up in another thread (like I didn't believe the hype) but someone else (with very beautiful skin) also told me she used it last week. I totally forgot I wanted to try it, though I just bought myself some new Nutragena Skin Clearing powder and concealer (they are treated with salicylic acid, which that article says not to use but I find it helpful).

I think it must have been a long time for me as well. It seems the first day all these whiteheads popped up, and I think some may have popped on their own or by accident in the shower, but the next day most were gone. I don't think I've ever let more than maybe one or two heal on their own before. And if I can continue to get through this, I don't think I will miss having scabs at all.

Yep, thinking positive, must keep thinking positive. We gotta just keep telling ourselves that we're kicking ass, and there's no good reason not to keep going

[Froglet]

I think there is a severe lack of positivity here - and it is so important. Quiting and positivity go hand in hand. You cant stop picking if you're always beating yourself up!
I found a nice site run by a woman just starting her mineral bussiness. It was recommended to me as her products are much cheaper than the big companies, and dont contain some of the irritants that some mineral make ups use.
www.corycosmetics.com/
You can order as many samples as you like. Only $0.35 a sample.
I guess this make up is not for all, but as some one who spends a disproportionate amount of my time with make up on, it is nice to think this one actually might be good for me.
And if anything, it doesn't seem to melt off my greasy old face like most!

[Nelly]

Thank you Lara for posting the link to the self injurious picking site. I had stumbled across that site before, but never took the time to explore it. Reading the information about how skin works and the damage we cause to it has really helped me curb my picking over the past couple of days. I almost look like I have a normal face! Yay! I'm only using concealer on a few spots now (mainly on my chin). But my forehead is completely pick- and makeup-free. A couple of more days and maybe I could stop using makeup altogether.. I'm this close.. Hope you're still doing great.

Nelly

[Froglet]

Im doing pretty good, just picked a spot on my collar bone without realising, but I left it after that. These things take time i suppose. My face still looks pretty good. It feels so good - I can hold my head high today! I have a graduation in about a month, and before that, my final year animated film is being 'premiered' with the rest of my class at a local cinema. I really hope I can keep my skin good for those events. This is a year of change fo me... leaving uni, finding my way in the working world. I think its a good time to ditch this habit for good. Every trick in the book - Im gonna use it!

[Supervixen]

I finally got round to reading that online book - I've had it bookmarked for ages after seeing a link to it somewhere else. But you reminded me of it, so thank you!

I think it was really helpful, reminding you exactly what you're doing to your skin. And why you really shouldn't. I think it's something I should keep rereading every now and again to keep it all in mind.

I haven't picked for two days now (longest pick-free period for weeks), and it's mostly thanks to reading that book. It gave me that extra incentive I needed to stop.

[bluesonora]

i have just found this site and feel relieved that i am not alone.
i used to be a chronic picker but have managed to keep it under control and although i have the odd relapse i can honestly say i am much better. i wish everone on here loads of strength to be kind to themselves and look after their skin. u deserve to be beautiful and remember don't be angry with yourself if u relapse.xx

[Stef (Incubabe)]

I found the site helpful, but I also found that it was so damn long that I god bored and started picking in the meantime. LOL

Either way, it was nice to know all the bad stuff I was doing to myself. However, a part of me still believes that the physical damage is nothing compared to the emotional damage.

But, thanks for the site. I shall glance at it from time to time to remind myself of some things.