Hello friends,

I have to admit this is a little embarrassing, but I would love some input regardless. Seems like I've had this problem forever but if I think about it rationally, I'd have to say ever since I started getting acne/blackheads I've had a problem with messing with them and picking them.

I've never really had bad acne, but I have always exacerbated it by obsessively picking at it. I never thought much of it until the past year or two, but I now realize that it is a problem. I have tried to stop and succeeded for a week or so and my skin looked so much better, but once I mess with that first pimple or blackhead it is back on the wagon for me. I recently discovered the disorder known as dermatillomania, or obsessive skin picking. I have all the symptoms and there is no doubt that this is the problem.

It is compared to substance addiction more so than OCD, such as methamphetamine and cocaine addiction! This rings true to me seeing as it was a cake walk quitting cigarettes compared to trying to stop picking.

Unfortunately there are only two options, medication or behavioral therapy. Neither of which I am particularly excited about. However upon reading into it I discovered that a couple of treatments are NAC (N-acetylcystine) and opiod antagonists.

I have already had a slight interest in NAC as a supplement but the adverse effects (although seen in massive doses) are a little disconcerting. I also wonder if salvia divinorum would be of any help. I know salvanorin-a is a K-opiod agonist, but I'm wondering if it could still be an effective replacement for an opiod antagonist?

Any thoughts or suggestions are highly appreciated, thank you!

Try iboga. It's got a reputation for addiction cessation.


NAC should not be a problem. There's a thread on here about NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine, right?) and it stated that medical professionals themselves were taking pretty decent doses (6g max).

Have you tried any physical counteractions towards this dermatillomania? Like keeping your fingernails short so picking any blackheads and zits will be harder and you cant cause so much damage to your skin? Also try using thick skin creams, like shea butters etc, so you cant pinch your skin so easily with your fingers.

I hope my suggestions are of any help

Unfortunately iboga is not an option, but if I ever get the chance I would like to try it.

The skin creams are a good idea although they may make me break out more and that would drive me nuts! I don't have to cut my nails because I already bite them; skin picking is a comorbid disorder which means nail biting and hair picking go hand in hand with it. I have always been a nail biter, and occasionally pull hairs but not to the extent that it concerns me.

Thanks for the suggestions, I have been fighting pretty hard this week to stop before I resort to trying NAC and have been doing pretty good although my skin is relatively clear so it makes it much easier, the real test is when I start to break out again...

You can reduce your nail biting by dipping your fingers in vinegar, that way whenever you put your fingers in your mouth it'll be very unpleasant

Unfortunately, I don't think there is a better means of overcoming such habits than awareness. I've had similar problems in the past. This article was insightful and helpful for me with regard to my nail-biting habit.

A story.
A few months ago, I was biting a nail and I overdid it... Not on my nail, but on my tooth. The tip of my tooth was sensitive and drinking cold water was painful for a day or so. It was then that I realized that this intermittent tooth sensitivity I had felt my whole life was probably linked to my nail-biting. This realization has helped me to reduce nail biting, but nothing will help you reduce such bad habits more than simply realizing when you are enacting them. Such habits are addictive in that they relieve stress. Friends of mine who smoke cigarettes have told me that they find themselves lighting a cigarette without even remembering pulling the cigarette out. Likewise, I'm usually biting my nails while I'm thinking about something else or distracted by stress.

You have to be conscious of such habits in order to stop them. If you catch yourself in the act and are still tempted to continue, just remember all of the reason's you should refrain: Red marks on face, potential scarring in the future, etc. You pick at them because you think it will make them go away sooner but, in my experience, irritating a blackhead only makes it last longer (and look much worse) than if you just left it alone.

AN EVEN BETTER SOLUTION: Eliminate your acne. Do this by eating healthier and washing your face several times per day. I can't eliminate my fingernails, unfortunately. The vinegar thing isn't a bad idea though.

Thanks Hixidom, I also believe that drawing my attention to it will help and if it doesn't then I will seek further treatment. Since I have come to terms that I actually have a disorder with a name and everything I have been more conscious of it and have slowed down a bit but it is still a hard thing to break completely.

I have been reprimanding myself when I catch myself doing it and forcing myself to stop even though I have to admit it causes me stress to walk away from the mirror before I can seek out any new blemishes. I would love to get rid of my acne, but I can't seem to find a solution to it. Like I said, I don't even have what you could consider 'bad' acne, I have little out breaks but the main problem is blackheads that I pick at till they form pimples and when I do get a pimple or two I mess with them so much I think it causes them to spread!

I have tried skin products in the past but they only make my skin worse, I also try to steer clear of most chemicals used in them. I have recently started to do the oil cleansing method to get rid of blackheads, but I don't know how well it is working tbh. Also I have heard that over washing is worse than washing twice a day.

Wax, have you tried putting a clean towel over your pillow every night? I noticed that my skin problems reduced greatly after using the towel method since pillow covers collect a lot of dead skin cells, grease and other nasty things which can lead to acne. Also if and when you pick your blackheads try to remember to wash your hands properly before picking and use antiseptic disinfectants afterwards to avoid infection of the pours of your skin

Wax I can recommend Retin A (get a tube from the doctors..I was prescribed when I was young)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tretinoin
It's quite amazing...they put small amounts of it in the expensive creams for women to dry and tighten their skin and reduce wrinkles. (pay a fortune for it as well)

If you can get hold of the real deal it helps immensely...incredible stuff.
Also diet, hormones and cleanliness play a huge part..use hypoallergenic soap...no additives.
Also note that most grow out of this phase...it doesn't last forever.

consciously remove the mirrors from your daily pattern, there is no need to see your face that frequently

i do the same thing, and avoiding mirrors removes the compulsion




try filling the sink with really hot water and submerging your face in it for as long as you can hold your breath, then wipe dry with a cloth and repeat once more, i found this treatment removes the excess oils that would clog pours

Hey Wax,

I was thinking that the urge to pick zits or black heads probably is as much psychological as physical. Do you think it could be a manifestation of anxiety about your appearance? If you don't address the psychological aspects of the condition, it will be hard to remodel your behaviour. Entheogens could maybe be of value, if they help you gain insight or promote love and acceptance of yourself.

I don't know what your diet and lifestyle are like, but acne is often related to diet (large amounts of processed foods or hydrogenated fats are not good) and also stress levels (we tend to get acne more when we are stressed). Cooking all your own foods from scratch can make a big difference, and if you feel stressed there are many adaptogenic herbs that can help (Reishi or other medicinal mushrooms, Rhodiola rosea, or nervine herbs like holy basil are all good options).

Acne can also be a sign that your body is trying to eliminate toxins through the skin. You could help this process out by going to a sauna or steam room a couple times a month, and sweat it out. Some herbs (hot yarrow tea is a good one) also promote sweating and can aid elimination through the skin, especially if you drink them before hitting the sauna .

As an interim idea, keep a bottle of tea tree oil handy, and when you feel like you want to pick, just dab tea tree on instead. This substitute may blunt your compulsion but will actually help you heal faster.

Wow. That's a really good idea.