This topic is a lot more serious than you think, and I doubt my video really does the topic enough justice. Habitual acne picking is a big problem. In fact, it has been linked to obsessive compulsive disorder. First, have a look at my video:
I encourage you to visit the course if you haven’t already done so. The course is very long so you’ll need to take your time to read it, as in a few days at least.
This information may shock you
Skin picking, or in my case spot picking (pimples, blackheads and whiteheads) you think is a normal part of having acne, but really its not. It’s actually a very serious problem, and one which can prolong your acne condition. I’m convinced now that if I left my skin alone then my acne would have cleared up within a couple of months instead of a year. And I’ve now been left with damaged skin from picking at it and all the products I’ve put onto my face.
The course explains how picking one blackhead or pimple can create ten more, or even a face full of them. I thought this was just a myth but now I believe it to be true. It also talks about the psychology behind pimple picking. I actually felt a huge sense of relief when I read the course because without realising it I was going form mirror to mirror staring and picking at my reflection. I was wasting literally hours of my life in front of the mirror, and I was practically mutilating myself by picking at my spots. If I just left them alone they would heal a lot faster and wouldn’t end up bleeding or being as red and inflamed on my face.
Why do we pick?
I can’t answer for everybody here, but there’s a lot of psychology behind it. The French actually have a name for it, they call it ‘des Juennes Filles’ or ‘little girls disease’ and it’s apparently quite common in young girls in France. It’s called ‘little girls disease’ because it’s believed that young girls pick their spots so their acne stays on their face. This make them unattractive to men which is their intention, because they want to remain as girls and not turn into women.
My case was/is completely different. I only got severe acne (classed as severe because of cystic acne) after a traumatic experience last year. I think I was always a spot picker but I think it got a lot worse when I moved into my own place. The fact that I was living alone and single for the first time in ten years created a lot of emotional disturbance. I ended up focusing so much on my skin and picking at it as a distraction. If something was really bothering me I guess, focusing on my skin was an easy way to get my mind off it. I can even see a pattern now, every time I got a bit down or depressed, I’d start to see my skin as ’spottier’ and more of a problem and I’d pick at it more. It probably wasn’t worse at all, but I think I made it worse by picking at it constantly.
I also had the idea that if my skin was clear then everything would be okay. This is so not true. I can tell you now that if my skin was 100% perfect all of a sudden, then I’d start focusing on something else. I guess I started to believe this because it was easy, it was almost something I could control.
My 30 day challenge
Every time I’m in front of the mirror and I have the urge to pick at a spot, I look at myself sternly and think ‘NO!’.
To all of my friends and family who are reading this, don’t be concerned, I’m not a crazy lunatic - I’ve probably made it sound a lot worse than it actually is. And so I don’t turn into a crazy lunatic and continue this behaviour, I’ve given myself a 30 day challenge. I’m not allowed to pick at my face or my spots for 30 days. This includes pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and dry skin. I’m onto my third day and it’s already been a bit difficult. But making this promise to myself is enough to prevent me from doing it …and I’m confident that I can last the whole 30 days.
Every time I’m in front of the mirror and I have the urge to pick at a spot, I look at myself sternly and think ‘NO!’. It’s a bit lame but it works. I’m also trying a ‘lighter’ approach to my skin. Watching the process of a blackhead turning into a pimple with curiosity and interest. Observe the full formation without attacking it.
Worried about going out? Well, the way I look at it if you’ve got a scab or a bleeding spot from picking a pimple then that’s the most obvious thing on your face and people will notice it. They won’t notice unpicked spots as much. Also start thinking of yourself as beautiful more. It’s not you, it’s just a skin condition! If people don’t like the way you look then they’ll just have to get over it. The only important thing is you feeling happy and confident in yourself, and this can be achieved just by your own positive thoughts, by reminding yourself constantly that you look good. Beauty comes from confidence and if you feel happy and confident in yourself then it will radiate out of you and that’s what people will see.
Hopefully by the end of the 30 days I’ll notice a significant improvement in my skin, my confidence and my well being. My aim is to also curb the habit permanently.
It’s kind of like when I was a little kid. I used to pick my nails a lot - it had become a really bad habit (I guess it’s not that different to picking your spots, only I didn’t have them then). My dad decided to teach me to stop picking them so he gave me the challenge of not picking them at all for two weeks. If I didn’t pick them then he would give me a present. I LOVE presents so I followed the rules and didn’t pick. He gave me a nail maintenance set as a present 
It was so lovely and I’ve never picked my nails again. So I guess these bad habits can be stopped.
If you’re a spot picker, even if you just do it a little bit. I encourage you to join me in my 30 day challenge. Yes, it’s going to be damn hard when we have a huge zit in the middle of our face, but I’m willing to guarantee that if it’s left alone it will heal a lot faster.
Fran
Fran Kerr is the founding editor of High on Health. To cure your acne, sign up to Fran's FREE acne cure mini-course or download her latest how to guide, Eat Away Your Acne.
16 responses ↓
Fran, I have been trying to do this for a while now but have been failing! Starting today I am now not going to pick any of my spots for 30 days, and I am positive that this will help my skin, I agree with you 100%!!!
Gemma
Hi Gemma, yeah, it’s been really hard but I’m sure it’s going to have great results. It’s been a few days for me now and it’s been hard now and again but I’ve been able to do it so far!
Well, I’ll put my name down for this.
I’m usually very naughty at picking spots, but if I’ve told someone I’m not going to do it then perhaps I’ll succeed.
I did give up my 10+ year habit of nail-biting a few weeks back and quit smoking 4 years ago, so I know I can do things if I really put my mind to it.
It’s a lot easier than I thought ..until …I get a little pimple that forms a head. Then it’s super hard because those are the ‘embarrassing’ ones. So far so good though. The important thing for me is to not focus on my skin so much and look for bad stuff.
Luckily I haven’t had any new spots for a few days, the hard bit is going to be when my period comes around. I always break out then, and it’s usually big plump ones on my chin and jaw too.
I’ve taken to not looking in the mirror every time I pass it and so I haven’t really been thinking about my skin. It will be interesting to see how quickly and cleanly my spots clear up if I’m not fiddling with them.
Jaw and chin pimples are the classic PMT areas for breaking out. If it bothers you, you could try some supplements. I’ve had great success in the past from supplements alone for PMT spots.
Hi Fran, I have decided to take on the challenge, I know it will be one of the hardest things for me. I started picking 4 years ago, it started on my arms then face. I have tried to stop in the past but I always end up back where I started and it makes me depressed. I just hate when people say to me that if I keep picking I will get scars but they dont understand that I already know this and that fact does not prompt me to stop. My arms are the disaster area as I do not need a mirror to pick which makes it even harder to stop. From today I will not pick/scratch/ bust any spots anywhere on my body for 30 days! If anyone needs some support I am here.
Hi Kelly, that’s awesome! I’m so happy that you’re starting the challenge. Mine is over now but I’m still keeping it up which is the best result for me.
I did find that the first 2 weeks were easy and then for a few days I went almost back to my old ways and picked a little. It made me feel so guilty that I realised it wasn’t worth it so I stopped again.
It can be very hard, especially when it’s an old habit. I find that when I stressed or sad that I’m more tempted to do it so the first thing is to make sure I’m as happy and relaxed as possible.
Keep me posted on your progress.
I am with you all. I am trying to figure out what is wrong with me. Nervous habit? OCD? French girls desease although I am 39 years Old. I pick! I hate it. Start today! Thank you for this Fran
Mooch
Chicago, IL
Hi Fran,
I moved to a new city for a job opportunity in September. Having just graduated college, I thought this would be an exciting and stress-free time in my life, and the habit would disappear. Unfortunately, I am very lonely in a big city and still have the habit. I recently began dating someone but am very embarressed and ashamed of my skin. I’m signing up for the 30-day challenge today! I promise to give updates. Ps. I find tremendous comfort in that I do not suffer alone.
Hi Ashley,
You’re definitely not alone. I’ve received a lot of private emails and youTube messages from women who have the same problem.
I understand about the lonely thing too - I’ve been living alone (for the first time) for about 10 months now and this Saturday I’m moving in with a friend for a while. I’m kind of relieved because I think when I get lonely I feel more stress and start picking at my face more.
Please don’t be ashamed of your skin. The people we date don’t even notice our skin, they especially don’t notice as much as we do. My very best male friend who I hang out with a lot, saw me when my acne was at its worst. He saw me in all types of lighting, and even without makeup on. It was only when we were on a short holiday together that I asked him if he thought I needed to wear makeup that day to cover my pimples …he rolled his eyes and said he could hardly even see them anyway, so I showed him up close and it was only then that he could see them. He had to be REALLY looking at up VERY close to my face.
My point is - we’re the ones that stare at our face 2 inches away from the mirror. Nobody else does that. They just don’t see it because they’re not interested in starting at our skin for that long
AND if they’re dating you, I think they like you a lot so they wouldn’t care
fran
Hi Fran,
It didn’t occur to me that others don’t stand 2 inches from the mirror and stare at their skin. I try to catch myself leaning towards the mirror or unconsciously touching my skin.
For the 30-day challenge, I lasted 4 days, and my skin healed immediatly. I gave in for a couple days and became unhappy. I decided to not pick a spot, and the next morning, it disappeared. The lesson here is that our skin knows how to heal itself. Keeping this in mind, my skin is clear again.
Thank you for your support, and I hope you are doing well.
Hey Fran,
Im 16. My skin really is not bad at all, pore wise. My mom is more of the driving force behind how I feel about my skin. around when i was 13 or so, just when its normal to start developing mild acne or just a few pimples, she would make me go to facalists, and they would basically squeeze my skin and pick it for me. But i hated going to them. becuase i feel like i know more about how my face works that they do, like the ones i have to touch, the ones i know are problem pimples. But lately, i going like 1 inch from the mirror, and stare at my face, and when i see the smallest clogged pore i go wild. I have 2 types of medication from the dermotologist. because my mom was always scrutinizing my appearance when i picked. They cause scabs. How i stumbled across your blog was I typed it into google, I literally 10 mins ago just picked at my face. and I hadnt in so long. But i really felt the need to almost cleanse my face, that i hate seeing that its dirty. Can you relate to this at all? or am i just being over-ly paranoid. Also, to add onto it. I have a boyfriend. to whom ive been with for a long time, through the bad skin and teh good, but i still HATE it when i see him and im self concious about it, especially his parents i dont want any to judge me. I just feel uncomfertable. and its not a confidence things, its just beucase i KNOW its there. hopefully when i wake up in the morning my skin doenst look that bad!!!! any advice on my situation?
Hi Sue-Ann, I’m sorry that your mum acted this way. I wish she just gave you a hug and told you that you’re beautiful!
Have you read Laura’s article on Acne Dysmorphia? If you haven’t, please read it. You also might want to send her an email or talk to her through the forums because I know that you could benefit a lot from her experience and benefit a lot from talking to her.
Here is the article:
http://www.highonhealth.org/living-with-acne-dysmorphia-desperation-for-a-clear-complexion/
The best thing you can do is try to STOP thinking about your skin if you can although I know it’s hard. You need to take your mind elsewhere. As soon as you stop focusing on it so much it will just go away by itself. And people are not judging you for your skin, they probably think your skin is perfect. Trust me on this one.
Please contact me or Laura if you need more help, that’s what we’re here for
The best thing you can do is
Dear Fran,
Thank you so much for this challenge. I have been picking for many years. I grew up in an unstable environment with a lot of emotional abuse. I watched my brother pick and began doing it myself when I was in elementary school before I even had acne. Now I am 28 and have some scarring on my face. I too have had the frustrating experience of never finding anything that works. I know now that this is because of my habit of picking my skin. I will take the 30 challenge starting now, and am excited to begin to see the new me emerge. Thank you so much!
Hey, I just came upon this site the other day, after feeling truly fed up with how I could not seem to stop picking at my face and body. I havent seen any recent responses on this site, but I thought I would try to find out how everyone did on this challange and if it really made a difference on their acne. I started this challange myself two days ago and have thus far kept my hands away from my face, even though Ive gotton some really bad whiteheads around my mouth which hurt so bad! I am letting them heal on their own though and am excited to see what will happen when I dont mess with nature. Thank you so much Fran, for creating this site. It has inspired me!
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