Excoriation disorder (also referred to as chronic skin-picking or dermatillomania) is a mental illness related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is characterized by repeated picking at one's own skin which results in areas of swollen or broken skin and causes significant disruption in one's life.
Skin picking is something that effects many peoples daily lives and can feel especially disruptive when it comes to picking your face. Picking at black heads, whiteheads, active acne, and scabs can be something you don't necessarily have control of.Â
Over time it can lead to hyperpigmentation, increased infections, and scarring.Â
We have a compiled a list coming from our licensed estheticians to help you curb skin picking urges.
Use a face mist - when the urge rises to pick at your skin, misting it with a toner can feel relaxing and make you feel like you are doing something good for your skin. It helps disrupt the destructive behavior and change the pattern of skin picking.
Put on non-comedogenic makeup - some find it helpful when they have makeup on their face, they don't want to pick their skin and disturb their makeup. Using a brand like Jane Iredale that has skin nourishing ingredients can also help heal any active breakouts.Â
Get a facial - letting a profession do extractions on your face can help minimize skin damage.
Use light therapy - red and blue light therapy can help decrease healing time, help skin produce collagen, help hyperpigmentation, reduce inflammation and redness and kill acne bacteria on the skin.Â
Get rid of magnifying mirrors - this can be a trigger for many people and eliminating the magnifying mirror can help stop the urge to pick.
Keep your hands occupied - when the urge strikes to pick, diverting the urge into keeping your hands busy elsewhere can help. Try cleaning, a craft, cooking, writing or working out.Â
Skin picking isn't something to be ashamed of and there are ways to help curb the urges of skin picking.Â