Skin and Hair Compulsions

@jesusredeemedme2425

🥺

At school, a girl in my class really struggled and used to pull her hair out and eat it and pick at her skin. My heart would go out to her, because everyone judged and bullied her which only added to her stressors 🥺

💜💕

@jesusredeemedme2425

 *TW* When I’m stressed I do it, it’s almost grounding. It’s like a subconscious thing. I’ll use tweezers or needles at times. Some days it’s about getting rid of imperfections and other days I just can’t stop. It can be embarrassing because I have scabs and cuts. The next day it can be painful. People do make remarks “stop picking.” If only it was that easy. 

I’ve tried artificial fingernails, which is a temporary fix, because there’s upkeep and there’s to them all off so I can pick. 

I know deep down it’s a form of self harm. But for some reason, it feels good. It’s a release for me and I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember🙈 

I pick at my skin. It used to be worse, but it still flares with stress. Its about the feeling of removing a problem and a soothing distraction i guess? I started wearing rings which has helped me pick less at my hands - now I fidget with the rings instead when i need a sensory relief. Hard to do anything about the face picking though... staying away from mirrors helps because then i can at least not see what im doing. I was doing really good when our bathroom light broke because i couldnt use the mirror lol. 

I pull out my leg hairs with tweezers and pick at my skin constantly. Im trying to figure out how to help my urges currently. Most of my scars are on my arms, so i wear long sleeves to avoid picking and let them heal. I try to distract myself from pulling my let hairs by figiting with something when im feeling the urge.

Hello! Yes, I do. I honestly find my self subconsciously pulling out my hair. Sometimes it happens when I zone out or get anxious.

@jesusredeemedme2425  Yeah, I do — mainly when I’m anxious or overthinking. For me, it’s not always about wanting to, it just kind of happensbefore I even notice. I’ve realized it’s usually when I’m stressed, restless, or trying to distract myself from something emotionally heavy.

What’s helped a bit is keeping my hands busy — like fidget toys, rings, or even holding an ice cube for a few seconds when the urge hits. I’ve also started trying to pause and ask myself, “What am I feeling right now?” Sometimes naming the emotion helps me stop before it gets worse.

It’s definitely a process, though — you’re not alone in this at all. What’s something that’s helped you, even just a little?