Addictions

[Salmongirl17]

No, i'm not addicted to drugs or alcohol or anything, it's just that... I got a bit of a problem where I'm addicted to popping my pimples. It's as gross as it sounds. Each and every day I swear to god that I won't pop ever again.

Guess what? It doesn't work.

It's gotten to the point where I'm too embarrassed to go anywhere, so I stay home all day. Another problem: school starts up in a few weeks, so yeeeaaaah...

I can't stop. It's been going on since December 21st - I know.

 

[gregmcph]

That was one of the great joys of being a teenager. Go for it.
Just don't be that person who feels the need to squeeze other people's little volcanoes.

 

[Andrew_Collins]

I had a lot of spots on my back once, the sunbathing dried them out and got rid of them, If you keep picking them they will scar. can't you cover thm with makeup? or will that aggravate .

 

[King_Oni]

Perhaps avoiding is better than squeezing them in an attempt to make them go away. Granted, that it tends to be one of the few things in puberty (even though I have been spared this for most part, a lot of people haven't), there are a few ways to take care of it, since sometimes it's also a result of certain food habits. Not to mention there are a few cremes and ointments around that will probably make it a lot less worse, perhaps that's worth checking out.

 

[Salmongirl17]

I had a lot of spots on my back once, the sunbathing dried them out and got rid of them, If you keep picking them they will scar. can't you cover thm with makeup? or will that aggravate .

My mom wont let me use makeup

 

[Andrew_Collins]

My mom wont let me use makeup

have you tried antibacterial soap and or clearsel ? theres a tinted clearsel. You could also try dabbing toothpaste on them it dries them out abit.

 

[2aspirin]

No, i'm not addicted to drugs or alcohol or anything, it's just that... I got a bit of a problem where I'm addicted to popping my pimples. It's as gross as it sounds. Each and every day I swear to god that I won't pop ever again.

Guess what? It doesn't work.

It's gotten to the point where I'm too embarrassed to go anywhere, so I stay home all day. Another problem: school starts up in a few weeks, so yeeeaaaah...

I can't stop. It's been going on since December 21st - I know.View attachment 12149

Here comes my unsolicited advice: Have you seen a dermatologist? You might do really well with some dermatologist-prescribed Ziana (clindamycin with tretinoin) ointment and some anti-inflammatory. I like Alba washing products (and use them 3 times a day) with salicylic acid -- plus the oil control lotion for certain hormonal times of months. Also, acne is an infection and should be handled that way. Try to control spreading and re-contamination. You can get absorbent 100% cotton pillowcases, wash them with low amounts of sensitive-skin soap on hot with peroxide, hot dryer. Then change frequently, washing the same way. Avoid fabric softeners. These are not just irritating, they allow fungus and bacteria to grow on the fabrics and prevent moisture wicking. Also good to pull back hair with a soft band when sleeping. Hair can carry germs and re-contaminate skin. Finally, I have known many who had chronic sinus infections that fed an acne problem. I have known a couple of people who had very severe acne fully clear up after sinus septum surgery to fix a physical defect that caused chronic reinfection. Even brushing teeth multiple times a day may help. Then there is the whole probiotics approach with yogurts etc.

I am sure they are tempting to keep attacking them. I guess if you cannot control that part of things, at least try to handle it sterily?

 

[Sylar]

You should probably avoid popping in case of scarring. Wash your face every morning and maybe try to face cream/scrubs/wipes, I know they can be a little expensive. Also rubbing a small amount of mouthwash on your face should dry spots out and reduce redness. Other than keeping your face clean, eating healthier and possibly medication, there's not much you can do but wait for your body to get rid of them. Touching your face all the time will just make it take longer.

 

[Stacey]

Your Dr should be able to prescribe you some medication for your outbreaks. Your mother is correct about avoiding make up. It will clog your pores...leading to further outbreaks. Keep the skin as clean as possible. Also ask the Dr to prescribe an exfoliating facewash to be used twice daily. Steam your face over a hot bowl of water with a towel over your head to 'open' the pores. Squeeze only the white heads, ensuring first that your hands are clean to avoid dirt blockage. Don't squeeze until it bleeds to minimise the chance of scaring. Wash your face with cold water afterward to 'close' the pores. Try to drink between 6-8 300ml glasses of water a day. This will help to flush your skin of build ups. Also green smoothies can make a big improvement on the skins overall presentation. With all that in place you should see a noticible improvement by 3-6weeks.

 

[Salmongirl17]

Thanks everyone for the advice! My mom has me seeing a counselor now. I did confess that OCD was taking over my life and that I was depressed. Just coming clean made me feel better! I also removed the mirror in my room so that I wouldn't mess up my face even more.