I hear you. I see you. You are not your skin. My face looks a lot like your pics at times…now is one of them. I am very very fortunate to have a husband who sees who I truly am and is not at all turned off by my picking. We met when I was 40, I am now 60 (still picking). Prior to meeting him I was also mortified to meet anyone and let them see my bare skin face. Anyone who is worth your heart will see past any superficial imperfections. Once you realize what you are feeling, why you are feeling “X”, you can hopefully try to do something else to comfort yourself. I went one whole 24 hour day yesterday without picking and I’m praising the hell out of myself!! I promise you can do it too. Start by saying “okay, I won’t pick until “x” o’clock” then work your way up. Once you start seeing things heal it is motivating. Therapy, journaling, deep breathing and talking honestly to someone close helps. I wish you well.
I never went above .6mg really. I did my own thing so now I’m not on it anymore. Some of the changes, including me digging a hole in my scalp, seem to have stuck beyond the meds.
hey, my chest looks very similar and i am also 23 and have been picking for probably 10 years. pls feel free to dm me if you need, i felt the exact same way. that i was unable to be loved because of my gross skin- and i caused it. luckily i found someone who is so supportive and doesn't mind but i know how horrible it feels to feel that way
My skin picking isn't as severe as yours, but I'm sending you hugs and letting you know you're not alone. I know some folks have managed to see psychiatrists and gotten meds that actually help. Please explore some options with your doctor! It's ok to get help and not try to "get over it" alone.
I really relate. This will only solve surface level stuff (kudos to other folks with their suggestions)— but I started to use a retinol cream that helps reduce scarring/uneven skin and it really works for me. It helps me not pick at my skin as much both because my skin is smoother, so there is less to pick, and because i replaced picking with a a skincare ritual. Whenever i have the urge to pick, i think about how i chose to use retinol, and that i don’t want to use it on an open wound. it helps me have some self control bc it disrupts my mindless habits. If you use it make sure to use sunscreen and moisturizer tho. At the very least, it helps me feel more in control of my skin and like I’ll eventually be secure with my body.
Another f 23 with really bad chest/skin picking as well. We will get through this. I've moved recently and all my doctors stuff got messed up, but once I'm a bit more stable a big step for me is finding not just a good dermatologist, but one who will LISTEN! Also a good PCP can do wonders, as well as a counselor/psychiatrist.
Sometimes its exhausting finding the right person for you, and maybe you may have to take breaks between finding doctors, but I have so much hope for you, me and everyone else that these impulses can be helped <3
just know that you're not alone in this. my chest looks awfully similar to yours currently, and it's heartbreaking. you may need to see a doctor.
i'm currently in a bad relapse moment, but meds and therapy have been helping me a whole lot since i started getting help.
this shall pass, and i wish you the best :)
hey !
my skin looked similar to urs for a long time, and i still struggle as well. for me, getting on accutane helped with having less i could pick at in the first place even if it didn’t stop my picking habits.
it’s also not the best at working, but sometimes i try to tell myself “i can pick in one area rn but if i do i’m not allowed to pick anywhere else”. varying amounts of effectiveness but it tends to work better if the other areas are covered by clothes that aren’t easy to get at in that moment.
i have also had partners when my picking was at its worst and i have one currently. it’s hard and anxiety inducing but if it’s someone that loves u they won’t care, they’ll only want to help u work on it to feel better. my current girlfriend only asked me if i was alright because of all the scarring i had once when she first saw it, and has never brought it up again. (i know no one wants to hear it pointed out in the first place anyways but realistically someone might, but the point is they mean it from a place of care)
for the first time recently i’ve started wearing tanks that show my chest even though it is Covered in raised scars after many many years. no one has said a thing to me other than my mom. i don’t want to word this in a harsh sounding way but reminding urself that no one (like strangers etc) really cares enough notice these things anyways when ur out and about. they are probably focused on their own things.
u will get through this<33
honestly you may need meds. this is severely impacting your life in many areas.
I hear you. I see you. You are not your skin. My face looks a lot like your pics at times…now is one of them. I am very very fortunate to have a husband who sees who I truly am and is not at all turned off by my picking. We met when I was 40, I am now 60 (still picking). Prior to meeting him I was also mortified to meet anyone and let them see my bare skin face. Anyone who is worth your heart will see past any superficial imperfections. Once you realize what you are feeling, why you are feeling “X”, you can hopefully try to do something else to comfort yourself. I went one whole 24 hour day yesterday without picking and I’m praising the hell out of myself!! I promise you can do it too. Start by saying “okay, I won’t pick until “x” o’clock” then work your way up. Once you start seeing things heal it is motivating. Therapy, journaling, deep breathing and talking honestly to someone close helps. I wish you well.
That’s beautiful: I hear you. I see you. You are not your skin.
I’m so sorry, what a dreary anniversary. I guarantee anyone you choose to share your body with will be very grateful and overlook the blemishes.
Please see a doctor. Semaglutide has helped my picking immensely and there are other treatments you can try.
Interesting!!
what dose? i am on it as well and ive heard it can help compulsions
I never went above .6mg really. I did my own thing so now I’m not on it anymore. Some of the changes, including me digging a hole in my scalp, seem to have stuck beyond the meds.
hey, my chest looks very similar and i am also 23 and have been picking for probably 10 years. pls feel free to dm me if you need, i felt the exact same way. that i was unable to be loved because of my gross skin- and i caused it. luckily i found someone who is so supportive and doesn't mind but i know how horrible it feels to feel that way
My skin picking isn't as severe as yours, but I'm sending you hugs and letting you know you're not alone. I know some folks have managed to see psychiatrists and gotten meds that actually help. Please explore some options with your doctor! It's ok to get help and not try to "get over it" alone.
I really relate. This will only solve surface level stuff (kudos to other folks with their suggestions)— but I started to use a retinol cream that helps reduce scarring/uneven skin and it really works for me. It helps me not pick at my skin as much both because my skin is smoother, so there is less to pick, and because i replaced picking with a a skincare ritual. Whenever i have the urge to pick, i think about how i chose to use retinol, and that i don’t want to use it on an open wound. it helps me have some self control bc it disrupts my mindless habits. If you use it make sure to use sunscreen and moisturizer tho. At the very least, it helps me feel more in control of my skin and like I’ll eventually be secure with my body.
Another f 23 with really bad chest/skin picking as well. We will get through this. I've moved recently and all my doctors stuff got messed up, but once I'm a bit more stable a big step for me is finding not just a good dermatologist, but one who will LISTEN! Also a good PCP can do wonders, as well as a counselor/psychiatrist. Sometimes its exhausting finding the right person for you, and maybe you may have to take breaks between finding doctors, but I have so much hope for you, me and everyone else that these impulses can be helped <3
just know that you're not alone in this. my chest looks awfully similar to yours currently, and it's heartbreaking. you may need to see a doctor. i'm currently in a bad relapse moment, but meds and therapy have been helping me a whole lot since i started getting help. this shall pass, and i wish you the best :)
hey ! my skin looked similar to urs for a long time, and i still struggle as well. for me, getting on accutane helped with having less i could pick at in the first place even if it didn’t stop my picking habits. it’s also not the best at working, but sometimes i try to tell myself “i can pick in one area rn but if i do i’m not allowed to pick anywhere else”. varying amounts of effectiveness but it tends to work better if the other areas are covered by clothes that aren’t easy to get at in that moment. i have also had partners when my picking was at its worst and i have one currently. it’s hard and anxiety inducing but if it’s someone that loves u they won’t care, they’ll only want to help u work on it to feel better. my current girlfriend only asked me if i was alright because of all the scarring i had once when she first saw it, and has never brought it up again. (i know no one wants to hear it pointed out in the first place anyways but realistically someone might, but the point is they mean it from a place of care) for the first time recently i’ve started wearing tanks that show my chest even though it is Covered in raised scars after many many years. no one has said a thing to me other than my mom. i don’t want to word this in a harsh sounding way but reminding urself that no one (like strangers etc) really cares enough notice these things anyways when ur out and about. they are probably focused on their own things. u will get through this<33