(Part 2) Best products from r/CompulsiveSkinPicking

I️ use cotton gloves that not only keep me from picking but also help skin absorb neosporin and lotion, so when I️ take them off, my hands are a little better! I️ wear these as much as possible at home and I’m going to start wearing them while driving as well. You can buy them at pretty much any drugstore in a pack of 2 pairs for less than $5. I also found these cotton finger gloves on Amazon and if anyone tries them let me know if they help! I️ also have multiple spinner rings (my two favorites are the black one and the silver and gold braided one) and they fit over my cotton gloves. Also I️ recommend getting them in a size that fits right above your middle finger’s middle joint, or somewhere else, so that it’s very easy to reach and use. Also when I’m home I️ try to use face masks (sheet masks, clay masks, or aloe Vera gel which I️ can wear for much longer). Hope this is helpful.

I use this body wash on my face and sometimes my body for dark marks. Then I use retinol serum on my arms and back after I shower, then follow with lotion. Not only does it lighten up my marks, but it pretty much stops acne from forming so I don’t even have anything to pick at right now. I’m not on any other prescriptions or birth control, and not to mention I have dark skin, so you can trust me when I say I’m getting results from these products.

For my face I use Clean and Clear Lemon face wash, toner, then I follow up with this serum with a really long name I can’t spell and a moisturizer with sunscreen. The dark marks and acne on my face are virtually gone accept a couple spots where I had hormonal acne and some cysts on my chin since they take longer.

I’m 20 and I’ve been compulsively picking my face since I was like 11 or 12. Then I began compulsively picking my body when I developed acne on my arms, back, and legs at like 14. People do say to speak to a dermatologist first, but mine didn’t do anything but offer me a stronger benzoyl peroxide prescription which didn’t help. So other the years is trial and error, this is what I found had helped my acne and spots. Which in turn has helped my picking.

Dip nails is a style of doing acrylic nails that I find much easier to do than the traditional powder and liquid that most salons do. I used to do those myself in college, but they never looked very good.

When you do dip nails, you paint a "base coat" from a dip nail set and then dip your finger in the powder of your desired color. You do that a few times per nail and then you user a sealer, then a topcoat. I think it's easier because you don't have to do much shaping; it's mostly just smoothing/filing.

The kit I have now is a bit expensive, but it's way cheaper than having your nails done professionally. I got the Kiara sky french nails kit which you can also use with other dip powders to do solid color. They also have a solid color starter set if you aren't a fan of french.

Each new color costs about $13-$15 and the container says you get about 30 manicures from it. I don't do my nails very long, so I might be able to get more than 30. It's a bit of a steep investment, but if you're going to use it, it's definitely worth it. Even with paying for the liquids in the starter set, if you get 30 manicures for each of the 5 colors it comes with, it's less than $1 per manicure!

Kiara Sky and SNS are generally considered the "best" brands, and I did notice that when I switched from a random brand to Kiara Sky, my nails stayed on almost twice as long (now 2-3 weeks). Some of the other brands are a lot less expensive, though.

Feel free to hit me up anytime about dip nails. I've been doing my nails pretty much continuously for over a year and I love it! I can't pick with them on so my fingers aren't constantly bleeding.

You’re not alone. As someone who has struggled for a lifetime resulting in so many scars, I hope you find some comfort in knowing that you still have beautiful skin. With time and love it will heal. I wish I had started doing something earlier in life. You’re in good company here.

Have you considered trying hydrocolloid bandages? I’ve found they help heal skin much faster and you can’t pick when they’re on, so you’re almost guaranteed to see some relief. I bought these recently. I put them on before bed or if I’m home and don’t need to go out.

Cover Dot Acne Care (48 Dots) Skin Blemish Treatment with Hydrocolloid | Clear, Waterproof Patch | Oil and Pimple Absorbing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W668SC8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AEuNDbGXH19YS

I just tell the stylist about it before they even start. If it's a new salon, I call and sort of explain I have scalp picking issues and ask for someone with experience and who is very gentle. No issues so far, just one shampoo girl who was super rough but I told her to be a bit gentler and it was okay.

Here's my current scalp picking remedy list (they have to be used together, make sure you have access to all things here at all times):

• fidget toys. My favorites are this monster and the average fidget cube. Alternatively, a scalp massager. Keep these around to keep your hands busy.
  
  
• When at home, I wear a head turban. That one is super nice and soft, but I can still run my fingers under the edges, so for extra bad days, I use:
  
  
• A wig. A $15 wig from amazon + two wig caps. Why the two caps? Well, I have long thick hair, but also because it's so tight (worse with the wig on it) that I cannot run my fingers under the edges of the wig cap + wig combo. Since it's "cuter" than the turban (at least I feel "cuter"), in case of an emergency, I can go out wearing the wig.
  
  
• n-acetylcysteine. I am currently on 1200mg, plan to get up to 2200 mg. I take 600mg pills. For me, it made me sort of anxious at first, hence why I'm going on 600mg increments (every week, increase by 600mg), until I get to 2200mg. It's made a decent difference so far, combined with the stuff mentioned above. However, today (first day on the higher dose), I feel super sleepy, so I hope that passes. I also take glutathione (500mg), as I read somewhere it helps with the absorption of the former supplement.
  
  
  

I was suggesting on another post the thin cotton gloves - can get on amazon and I think would work well with thumb/finger pickers. Put some lotion on and glove over it at night as well to help healing process.

Also I think I will link a couple little things that have been helping me a lot now.

spinner ring

awesome little fidget toy

The ring I have on my index finger and can spin it with my thumb and that spinner has a nice weight to it and spins super easy just holding between thumb and a finger - these are two that have been the most helpful so far as far as calm hand gadgets

Definitely have a look at /r/SkincareAddiction in the sidebar about PIH.

In short:

Red marks can be faded over time, that is PIH. You will have to take some time to find what works best for you, but many people find daily application of an AHA (example), or retinoids (example), or niacinamide (example) expedites the fading process.

For thick scars, I believe the same treatment can help improve the appearance, but don't expect it to completely go away. A dermatologist is likely to provide more help than OTC things.

Good luck!

**very much a side note, and i have no idea what kind of music you are into but have you ever listened to STS9 (sound tribe sector 9?) their song tokyo was the only thing that would calm me down for awhile now. i love them in general though. or find your cloud by papadosio. so corny bc i'll listen to it when feeling lost and the lyrics are
Dream out loud and make no sound
Find your cloud and ride it 'round
and ive always interpreted the cloud to be once you find the path youre looking for lol.
alsoooo this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU0BxPUkdP0
they are also one of my favorite bands.
and then i have this light
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0152G4TAS?psc=1
seems a little childish, maybe, but you can plug your phone or whatever you listen to music through, in there and the lights will match the beats of the music. i dont really find that necessary, you can just turn the light on and play the music lol. lay on your back and listen and watch the lights. its calmed me down so many times.

Honestly, washing with straight castor oil shows dramatic improvement overnight for me every time I start breaking out. It sounds counterproductive, but it's always worked for me and those I've told it about. This is the stuff I use.

1. Wet face with warm water
   
   
2. Massage oil into face gently for a good minute or two.
   
   
3. Let sit for another couple minutes minimum.
   
   
4. Use a clean hot washcloth to gently melt excess oil away "No scrubbing"
   
   
5. Use a clean towel to pat dry your face.
   
   
6. Apply your normal skin hydration cream.

I never made the connection either, and honestly didn’t realize this was a thing.. I have been dealing with it for awhile.

I found a book that has honestly changed my life. It has really given me the ability to calm myself and my mind. If you follow the steps it may even give you the reason for picking.

The book is called Emotional Detox: 7 steps to release toxicity and energize joy by Sherianna Boyle

There is also Emotional Detox for Anxiety being released in December.

If you want to get a taste of book or the style of healing Sherianna teaches, she also has a free podcast Here. or anywhere else podcasts exist.

I hope this helps you, it has really helped me.

Hey! I have the exact problem as you do, except probably more advanced. I'm 28 and have been picking target areas of my skin since Elementary School. I think the scalp picking happened just after high school ended for me. I remember a time where I can run my own fingers through my hair and not lift a bunch of skin off my scalp to leave terrible looking flakes in my hair... I have to basically take a very fine tooth comb to pull the dead skin out of my hair follicles that lifted off of my damaged scalp. No fun. I feel that I've picked my scalp so much that it hasn't ever really had time to heal and so I'm here with a deranged form of dandruff where the flakes are large disks and not small flecks.

So, yeah it does gets worse for you. The worst area is right at the crown of my head right at the hairline. I'll have just taken a shower, after scrubbing my scalp free of dead flakes and I'll get out to find MORE lifted up. In plain sight, for everyone to see. I have to wear certain hairstyles to hide it and know I can't at ALL touch my hair lest I release another dandruff-looking monster. And, I hope you know that any scarring on the scalp is going to be a spot hair can't grow back. So there's that, too.

I just wanted to get all my horror stories out of the way before I get into some of the whys and fixes. Compulsive skin picking is indeed in the OCD family, and part of how it works is similar to having a drug addiction. We look for imperfections on our skin, and when we give into our moments of picking we not only get a large sense of relief, we are releasing endorphins and getting a mini high off of doing it! So, just know that when you care little about the damage you cause yourself and give into the feel-goods, you're giving into your brain and body's twisted urges and it may not be a conscious choice of yours at all.

I'm still trying to find ways to heal my scalp quicker than I pick it (because we all have bad days). I need to do research on Head & Shoulders because I don't think it's as good as I was lead to believe. Sucks too, because I found a SCALP CARE version of the shampoo. I purchased a $9 tub of hair masque from a beauty store recently and I use that a few times a week when I feel I really need a 'pick me up' for my scalp. I've also just ordered a "scalp shampoo brush" and tea tree oil shampoo from Amazon, which neither I have experience with yet but have heard wonderful things, especially about the shampoo brush.

Gotta end my babble here because I have to get to work, sorry if any of this is a jumbled mess to read. Hopefully, there's something helpful in there for you. I know giving into our impulses feels great, but out body can't handle these habits indefinitely.

Scalp Shampoo Brush (there's more options too)

Tee Tree Oil Shampoo

Read the reviews and questions for more about them and how they've helped folk. :)

If you want to conceal anything try Boo-Boo Cover-Up! It’s really full coverage and it helps to heal the wound at the same time.

I also find that betadine has been a lifesaver for me personally (just a little dab on any open wounds or pimples etc). Also, if you want to go the natural route, wound honey/manuka honey is apparently really great for healing!

Good luck, you’ve got this!

I'm 54 and it took me decades to stop. I had to change my lifestyle. You will find a way!
Here's a link to some pure Aloe Vera. https://www.amazon.com/100-Pure-Without-Chemicals-Additives/dp/B004E4GHRS

As for doctors... I too was embarrassed at first. A good doctor will NOT judge you but will help you. I highly recommend seeing one if you have insurance and can afford the copay. If only to establish a baseline.

A good doctor wants to know all the physical maladies of yours, to be able to help you. My doc knows everything. Everything. And she asks me how I am doing... Has a sit down and discusses my complaints. I had to shop around for a good one... It was totally worth it. She's kind, interested and never judgemental.

Lidocaine can exacerbate your skin problems, IIRC, it can dry the skin. Oh here... I know it's a web page and best to discuss this further with a doctor but it gives you an idea of what can go wrong with lidocaine.

https://www.drugs.com/sfx/lidocaine-topical-side-effects.html

I know exactly how you feel! I'm sorry you are going through this <3
I just found this sub, my son and I are both dealing with issues.
I'm obsessed with tweezing my facial hairs, but I try to keep them plucked anyway to stop myself from using my fingernails, especially around friends and family. I've been trying wax and I also bought a finishing touch brow pen, although I use it on chin and neck area mostly. I'm not sure if that's something you've tried or whether it would help but I will link to it. Also, I know it can really negatively affect your self esteem but just remember you are still beautiful and strong and this doesn't define you! Good luck!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071KW9GTT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bTLnDbT62RMN1

This happens to me every time I feel like I've caught a break with my skin. It sucks, there's no doubt about that. And the guilt for me is worse than the actual physical damage, especially if I've gone a little while without doing any damage. I continue to struggle with this and I have no golden rule for how to get better. I think the most helpful thing I've done is become more self-aware of the processes going on in my head. Whenever I go to stand in front of the mirror, I take mental note of everything I'm doing and I stay on top of my stream of consciousness. Take note of why I'm touching my face. Reassure myself that I'm trying to heal. Look at the person in the reflection like a friend, like another person in the room who I owe a responsibility to. I have pictures in my phone of my skin post-picking that sometimes help to scare me straight too. I still haven't gotten the hang of mindfulness, but after a while I'm hoping my brain will learn to stay aware and not slip into that horrible autopilot state when I do the most damage.

My best suggestion for the damage is a cold compress and hydrocolloids if you have them. People suggest these all the time but I noticed you said heavy stuff like vaseline clogs you up, so just thought I'd mention that these are your guys! They generally should speed up the healing process, but the most important thing they do is prevent you from picking. When your fingers wander to touch the texture of your freshly picked skin, they're blocked by the bandage. Less hand bacteria in your blemishes and less urge to continue to pick. I use CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patches, I buy in bulk on Amazon so that I always have some on hand. If you feel like picking, slapping one on a problem spot might also help you stop it from happening altogether. An important thing to note is definitely use a lot of moisturizer or aloe or some kind of hydrating product to help your skin heal. Dry skin does not heal well. And if you put a hydrocolloid over dry skin, it's more likely to damage the thin top layer of skin when you eventually take it off. It can be really tempting to attack your face with skincare products and masks just to cover it up so you can't see the damage. Sometimes I drench a dry sheet mask (they sell these on Amazon too, I can't remember which kind I use) in aloe (from the fridge!) and put it on so that I don't have to think about how my skin looks and the aloe is bonus healing too.

Please try not to feel too too discouraged or guilty. There are so many people struggling with the same condition who are here to help, to talk to, to give you hope that this will stop one day. Remember that you're suffering with something that changes the way your mind functions. It's not just a bad habit, it is an addicting and debilitating compulsion. Recovery will involve some relapses. Maybe a lot of relapses. None of these indicate you're weak or a failure or anything of the sort. Check up on yourself, babysit your brain, be kind to yourself physically and mentally, and you will one day get better. Good luck!