I had a problem picking at acne, on my face, chest, shoulders, back, and occasionally legs. What really triggered me to want to stop picking was my engagement. I wanted to wear a strapless, sweetheart neckline wedding dress with my hair up... But my self esteem would be too low with all my scabs and scars.

I did some *weird* but helpful things to decrease my picking.

· I wore gloves. I would only take my right glove off for eating and using the restroom. I wore plastic gloves in the shower.

· I watched pimple popping videos on YouTube. For me, it was the same satisfaction, without doing any damage to my skin.

· I put Elmer's glue on my hands, let it dry, and picked it off. This was (and is) very therapeutic and relaxing.

· I would not get too close to any mirrors. This is more difficult than the others. I have a makeup take and a makeup mirror, so instead I did my makeup standing in front of the mirror in my hallway. It's a lot less comfortable with nowhere to rest my elbows to pop. I did my makeup quickly and left.

· I had my fiance hide my tools. He hid my extractor and tweezers. If I really needed to tweeze my brows or lady stache he would be in the room with me.

As for clearing up my skin, I took a more natural approach.

· I applied witch hazel before and after bed.

· I drank 8 cups of water or more daily.

· I applied tea tree oil to my wounds every other night.

These things really helped me, so maybe they can help other pickers. I still do slip up occasionally, but hey, when you have a poppable pimple it is so difficult not to pop it.

Skin pickers and hair pullers