6 Ways To Stop Picking At Your Skin
Even though picking at your acne gives a sense of momentary control, that’s just an illusion. That satisfying feeling of popping a pimple is overshadowed by the fact that not only will picking make your acne worse and create scarring, but it also activates unhealthy addictive patterns in your brain.
Quitting skin picking is a journey, and it is often easier said than done. Remember to give yourself patience and kindness as you're working on overcoming the habit; stress exacerbates both acne and the anxious desire to skin pick. In the meantime, these are a couple of our favourite strategies to try instead when you feel the urge to pick or pop.
I. COOL THINGS DOWN
Inflammatory acne is a heat-pattern condition. Naturally, using cold techniques will help to bring down swelling, soothe the skin, and encourage healing. Keep a gua sha or jade roller in your refrigerator to keep it icy. When you feel the urge to pick at your face, take one out and glide the soothing, cold stones against your skin instead. We recommend doing this practice with a non-comedogenic (doesn't block the pores) facial oil; such as rosehip, jojoba, or sea buckthorn.
II. MASK UP
Did you know? NASA used LED Light Therapy to accelerate wound healing in space! This clinically proven technology uses different wavelengths of specialized light to heal and restore the skin. For example, red LED Light can be used for healing a damaged skin barrier and acne scars, and blue LED Light effectively kills acne-causing bacteria. We recommend wearing your LED Mask for a minimum of 15 minutes a day, which is easy to do while you watch a movie! Our LED Masks are available for sale in-studio.
III. BUSY HANDS
Sometimes a healthy distraction is the best thing you can provide yourself. If you have a strong urge to pick at your skin, try redirecting your mind and hands onto another satisfying, repetitive task. Some great options could include sewing or knitting, drawing, playing with a fidget toy, or even housework like doing the dishes or laundry.
IV. GET PATCHY
Acne patches, also known as "pimple patches" can be an effective way to keep an active blemish clean and untouched while delivering targeted, active ingredients to the pimple to help it to heal faster. These come in many different styles, ranging from the subtle clear or bandage-like cover, all the way to cute statement piece stickers to express yourself with.
V. STAY BACK
As tempting as it can be to obsessively stare into a magnifying mirror, all this does is encourage picking by highlighting tiny blemishes that are otherwise unseen and best left untouched. Try to limit magnifying mirror use. Or, better yet: throw it away. We hate these!
VI. GET A RESET
Some things are best left to the professionals. If you are struggling with inflammation, acne, or congestion, it's time to book your next professional, medical-holistic facial. There are some types of care that just can't be achieved at home, and committing to getting treatments as a reset + refresh is an integral part of sustainable, healthy skin care long-term. Not sure where to start? Come see us for a free consultation so we can help you get to the bottom of what your skin is trying to tell you.