The topic of skin picking has come up a little more than usual in the blog and forums in the last week, so I thought it was time I did another video on the topic, and to let you know that I’ve finally kicked the habit for good!
If you have this problem and you haven’t gone through the course at www.stopppickingonme.com, I highly recommend it. It’s the first and most important step.
Picking the skin puts you into the “now”, into the present moment which is why it’s so addictive. When I was picking, all my problems just melted away because I was concentrating so intensely on my physical appearance and nothing else.
It’s GREAT to be living in that present moment, but skin picking is a very destructive way to do it. I highly recommend you get yourself a copy of Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now because he explains in vivid detail how to get yourself back into that feeling of the present moment without resorting to destructive behavior. Most public libraries will have The Power of Now, so you don’t have to buy it if you can’t afford it.
If you have any questions about skin picking or need support, please write a comment in the box below or in the forums. As I mentioned in the video, this issue is very close to my heart so I’m more than happy to provide support.
And for those of you who haven’t seen the skin picking videos I recorded about a year ago, they’re worth a watch too-
27 responses ↓
The book looks a bit …what’s that word you use…..ah right, trippy. Is it about how to keep focused when we lose track sometimes and start hurting ourselves? (not in an emo-ish way).
No, it’s about not picking at your pimples really. If you’re not a “picker” then it will be difficult to understand ..but also be happy that you don’t have the problem
I’ve had this question for a while, and I am no longer a picker by the way (though I’m not sure it helps):
What do you if you accidentally open one up, or it opens by itself? Do you squeeze it or do you leave it alone?
Hi Fran, hope you’re surviving the heat!
Quick off-topic question/comment for you.. What mascara are you wearing in this video? It looks great.. I’m currently on the hunt for a new ‘natural’ (or less toxic than my current) mascara. Thanks
Kyle- It’s best to just leave it alone!
Jess- Yeah, I love summer so it’s all good for me
My mascara is from Lavera which is an awesome brand of organic makeup that I found in wholefoods in Toronto. Mine is in blue-black and I’m going to miss it a lot when it runs out which is soon. It’s from Germany though so I might buy online if I can’t find it in stores here.
awesome thanks! i live an hour from Toronto!
hi fran.
so if i starting this stop picking addition from now.how long do you think we can see the benefit resuilt of stop picking?
Oh thanks! Good to know because I have been squeezing them.
Thank you for posting this! I really found http://www.stoppickingonme.com helpful.
I honestly thought everyone with acne did some skin picking. I know that picking makes things worse, but honestly I can’t remember a time when I didn’t pick at my skin. So, thank you for making me aware. This has really motivated me to kick the skin picking habit.
Thanks!
By the way, I found your blog when I was searching for reviews on the Zeno (which I did not buy)
. I’ve been reading for a month or so and have really appreciated your informative and candid blog style!
Hi Fran,
Thank you for being so brave posting about skin picking – you’re helping out so many people. I found out about stoppickingonme.com through your youtube video at least 6 months ago, and it helped me immensely. I thought I would never be able to stop, and even attended a hypnotherapy session so I could get some help. But the website was so helpful, and I highly recommend that everyone who picks read the course.
It’s true that at first you just stop picking less before you stop all together. That was definitely my experience. At first I got down on myself about it, but I had to remember that as long as I was picking progressively less, I’m being successful, and now I don’t pick at all.
The main thing that helped me was recognizing that it was an addiction (just like any self-destructive act), and figuring out the root issue. For me it was that I was doing it when I felt anxiety and loss of control. Skin picking made me feel like I was regaining control over a situation, even though in actuality I was losing it.
It’s important that everyone figure out their personal reason for picking – it can be completely different for each person. One story on the website is about a person who picked during periods of money troubles (but not any other types of trouble).
Another tip I found useful was talking to my boyfriend about it so he understood the weight of the situation so he could help me stop. I wanted to secret out – he was kind of like my “sponsor” in a way.
A tip I like from the stop picking website is putting notes or pictures on your mirror, or covering it up all together or washing your face at the kitchen sink. I also became much more aware of when my fingers were reaching for my face. I had no idea I picked so much when not in front of the mirror. As you try different tips, you might figure out which ones work best for you as it’s related to the root problem.
Hi,
Are facial extractions done by an esthetician considered “picking?”
Mardia – Honestly within a couple of weeks, because as soon as you leave your skin alone you’ll get less redness and inflammations. Within 1-3 months I noticed significant improvement.
Roey, estheticians usually know what they’re doing, but in my personal opinion it’s a lot healthier not to force anything to come out, which includes all manual extractions.
I have that problem and yes it is hard. I am glad someone ask about what to do if they open up by themselves. Mine did a little today and i pressed at one then i caught myself and stopped so i am a little proud of myself for not squeezing. I notice that after i wash my face with warm water that it helps them to open up anyway. Is that normal?
yeah, sometimes the warm water and steam can soften them up a lot. But it’s best not to think about it, divert your mind to something else
Hi Fran, Thanks for your utube vidios and blog, I am a 44 year old male and have had acne for 31 years, I also pick at my face, infact I found myself reaching for the mirror, tweezers and craft knife, while watching your vidio, it was just your smile and laughing eyes that kept me watching. I find that I can while away 3 hours easily with the mirror and the problem isnt helped by being extreamly short sighted so without myglasses I get close and see all my skin imperfections, I hardly go out and so have the time, but I cant help thinking that if I could get all that wasted time back, that it could be put to good use. I dont have people around, as I hate to be scrutanised and on the occasional day that I leave the house I use my girlfriends concealer. Its got to the stage that I need to get to the doctor for antibiotics but cant without the concealer and then he cant see the problem,still I remember in my teens when the acne started I was looking forward to reaching 21 and my face would clear up, it didnt, what with my skin and the fact I wont be seen with my glasses on it becomes a downward spiral. I must have tried nearly every over the counter cream and lotion to no avail, I even tried pure detol on my skin for two weeks, trust me when I say my face had never been so sore and still the acne didnt go. Sorry for going on, what I wanted to say was after watching your last vidio on self harm, I can agree, it makes you forget any thing that isnt now, all that matters is fixing that spot,and then that one untill your so tired its time for bed, you have done well to break the cycle.
Fran you look great and your personality really shines, your two x boyfriends must really be kicking themselves now, keep up the good videos.
the http://www.stoppickingonme.com website was profound reading for me. I could identify with nearly all of it. I have been a face picker since I was 12 which was 12 years ago. I definitely think it has to do with some underlying self loathing and abuse situations as well as lack of awareness about how my skin and psyche work. I have been able to restrain myself from picking very effectively today after reading that entire site and becoming aware. I am keeping a diary and trying to gently encourage myself to treat myself well and stop picking myself apart. I know my problem also has to do with being an OCD type perfectionist always wanting the absolutely flawless skin. I can’t thank you enough for your videos and posts on this topic. I was also very happy to hear the term acne dysmorphia from one of your videos. I have been suffering from that increasingly ever since I got my first pimple and it has been a very long road since then. I am so glad I’ve figured out over the counter acne products don’t work and I can now heal my problem naturally. I am going to stop picking for good and the clays have been very effective as spot treatments. I am planning to try the bee yummy moisturizer. One of my main problems is not being able to find a good moisturizer that doesn’t mess up my skin. I have been using the Yes to Tomatoes brand facial moisturizer which is supposed to be organic but it still feels just like all of the other over the counter chemical laden creams and my skin hasn’t improved with it. I hope the bee yummy stuff works well for me.
dude i like pick my skin, like i have a habit of biting my skin not my nails my skin and i hate it because its gross looking and i cant help it and all websites say stuff abt ocd but its not that… just a habbit i started it llike 5000000 years ago and i cant stop and its driving me crazy because everytime i want to get my nails done or hold hands with someone they are turned off and i feel like crying because i cant help it and no sites help HELP ME!!!!! thank you
Hey Shelly, have a good read through of http://www.stoppickingonme.com – it’ll be really helpful.
thank you but can you tell me where the sections for fingers are haha when i pick my skin its not my pimples.. well sometimes but thats when they are tiny n its not a habbit… my finger skin picking is the habbit here haha. i cannot stand it.. no one knows how bad it is to hav fingers that look like they hav gone through a blender unless you have the same habbit…
Hi Fran, I am so pleased and relieved to have found this website. It is so useful. I have had this bad picking habit for over a year and it is really depressing. I find it so hard to stop as I do it without even realising it. I have tried cutting my nails to stop, worn gloves at night (my worse time for picking without realising) and had fiddlers. It’s so hard to stop. I get very frustrated as 6 months ago I made an appointment with a dermatologist and she diagnosed me with “Acne”. I think the term is over used. I tried explaining I have a picking habit which I feel I cannot stop but she did not understand. I am on antibiotics and have a dermo cream that she has prescribed for me. I do believe that if I did stop picking, my skin will clear up. I want to find the courage to stop. I’m just scared I will never be able to control my picking habit and have scars on my face for the rest of my life
Also, do you think the “The Power of Now” book will help me? I just wish I had clear beautiful skin, I want to be able to stop this horrible habit. Please write back soon ~x~
Hey Nicole, don’t worry – you’re not alone! There are many of us with this same habit. Have you read through http://www.stoppickingonme.com? If you have, read it again.
It’s also a good idea to get some support from your family and friends. And try a no skin picking challenge. Try for a week to start with, or even 2 days is great.
And yes, I do think that the Power of Now will help you a lot
Hey, just thought I would update you on my progress. I am gradually starting to pick less. I have recently used Clearasil Ultra facial gentle scrub each morning and night for the last 3 days and it has helped reduce redness on my skin. I am becoming more positive than I used to be and tell myself my skin is getting better the less I pick! I went to a local store today where there was a Clinque (make up brand) counter, the lady was fantastic, she helped me a lot. All of their products are mineral based, they are more expensive than regular make up products but they last for a lot longer and are nicer on your skin- I strongly reccomend people to use it.
x
Thanks again for all your help
Hi Fran,
I think you are so brave for putting this website up. I have had this problem for 2 years and have seen a clinical psych for the past few months which has helped alot. I think more people need to be aware of this condition and you are doing just that by posting information up on your website. I still have days where i pick, especially when i am stressed out… it’s so hard to just STOP. But after reading what you have written about your skin clearing up after leaving it alone… i feel alot more inspired to really kick the habit!
Hi Fran, I feel like I’ve read my story many times just by perusing the many responses I’ve found here. I have had this habit ever since I was 14 and I’m 24 (going on 25) and I’m so tired of the scars. I want and need to stop and I’m going to try not picking my skin for the first week of Feb. I’m going to get some finger toys and keep myself occupied. Thank you and to all the people here that mad me feel not so alone and inspired me to try this small goal that I hope will lead to eventual extinction of this gnarly habit.
Hi Fran
Great job on this article. The thing is, I’m willing to stop picking but as soon as it’s time for me to go out and put my make up on, I start noticing all the dryness and I can’t stand it! I just want to tear it off. Foundation just doesn’t go right on dry pimples, whether it’s powder,liquid, creme etc. What do I do? Not wearing make up is not an option; I’m still extremely conscious of my acne-marked skin.
Thanks and much love.
Thank you for talking about a topic most people avoid. I’ve kept this secret for many years thinking I was alone in this behavior. Watching your video is a blessing. It’s given me a new awareness of why I’ve done it, and the impetus to stop the behavior.
Leave a Response