How can I stop doing something that is classified to be a BAD HABIT?

Question

I am a 13 year old girl and I have horrible acne. It makes me sad. But the reason the acne is there is because I pick it. I can't stop because I unconciously do it when I stress, or read, or do boring stuff.
I tried creams, but it didn't work. My parents are angry because I can't to that simple thing, and think I have a sort of issues. They say I can't control my actions, which is...scary.
I cry everyday, but crying doesn't help. Please help me!!!
I need it.

Thank you! I am grateful!

Answer 1

I must regretfully inform you, that more likely than not, you will out grow it. Work on changing your diet, drinking more water and eating less greasy foods. At your age, these factors actually enhance your acne. Keep up with the creams, but (and I know it doesn't sound helpful now), but this too will pass.


I wish you well.

Answer 2

Part of your problem is medical- the medicines others have suggested may help you with your skin.

The other part seems to be your behavior and the internal stress your behavior causes. Your parents are technically correct about controlling your behavior, but may not have pointed this out to you in the best way. Causing you to feel guilty about your behavior isn't the solution. You're right- crying won't help. You're crying because it relieves stress. Crying helps for a moment, doesn't it? But it doesn't resolve anything in the long run.

You can, indeed, change your behavior. But you'll need more help than you can get here. Ask to see a counselor. Don't expect miracles after the first half hour. Your counselor will need some time to get to know you- age, school, hobbies, etc. None of this will directly modify your behavior. But your counselor will be able to help you.

So part of what you need is medical- the right treatment for your skin, perhaps dietary change, and even some prescriptions that will target the acne. The other thing you need is counseling help to reduce your stress and modify your behavior (touching your face). It's all possible. Good luck!

Answer 3

I used to have exactly the same problem. It is almost un controlable isn't it?. It becomes a vicious cycle, you pick at your pimples and you have pimples because you pick at them. I used to be so ashamed to go to school because of it. I now have a perfectly clear face. So, there is hope for you too. I never over came the picking at the pimples, and I tried everything on the market: Nutragena products, benzomiacine, benzo peroxide, acne pills, and everything else. The only thing that helped a little bit was proactive.

But, what really stopped the acne was changing my diet. I have read a lot about acne and there is alot of information on the internet about what you should, and should not eat. Here is a list that I have compiled just for you that worked for me. These foods you should not eat: Dairy, milk, cheese, and anything with these ingrediants in them caused most of my acne, when I stopped eating dairy my acne cleared up almost completely; sugar, cereal, and foods with a high glycemic index.

A glycemic index or GI is a measurement of how quickly food turnes into glucose or sugar, to make useable energy. Pure sugar has a GI of 84, minute rice has a glycemic index of 174. So it would be better for you skin and for your body to eat pure sugar. Corn flakes are over 160 along with almost all cerials, including the so called healthy ones.

Caffeen causes acne, do not drink coffee or soda. Dark colored sodas and any drinks with coloring in them cause acne. Food coloring causes acne, and has been linked to ADD, ADHD, depression, and other mental/emotional problems.

Also look online for more information. I know that this did not answer your question, but this gives you some options that I wish I knew about when I was 13. I had acne until I was 20 years old and decided to make changes in my diet. And now I eat right, and use proactive for my acne scars. Proactive helps heal the acne scars. Make changes when your young, trust me.

Answer 4

Well not only picking them makes them worse but also its a known fact if you keep putting your hands near your face, your spots are going to get worse because of the dirt from your hands. Maybe go to the doctor about it and they can prescribe you something. Its Winter now so maybe where gloves alot and that will stop you picking, because you have got gloves on your hands lol. If every hour you do not pick make a reward for yourself like watching some tv or a chocolate bar.
hope this helps
good luck
x

Answer 5

Picking at it isn't the reason the acne is there. Picking is going to cause scarring.

Try to carry somthing in your pocket to play with when you get stressed. I'm sorry, I don't know any other advice.

The acne will eventually go away. It's part of growing up for some of us. I had it too.

It will make you a stronger person in the long run to have to deal with this. I used to be so weird around people and once it goes away, your confidence will be sky high!!!

Hang in there, kid... You'll be fine!

Answer 6

The real reason you have acne is not because you pick at it. Picking at it may make it worse, but you haven't caused the original acne.

If you haven't seen a doctor for a prescription, and if you haven't tried something like Proactive, you should see if your parents will help you with those types of options.

In the meantime, don't use a scratchy face cloth or towel on your face, and don't over-wash it with something like soap, because doing those things will irritate the skin and make the acne worse than it needs to be.

Chances are you really can control your actions. Its just that you've gotten into a habit (and maybe it even seems to help to pick at and "try to remove" some of the blemish). Try wearing some little gloves (or just baggies on your hands) when you're reading. Try putting something on your hands that will sting the acne. When you get stressed find something to do - even if that's something like bouncing a little ball off a basement wall or chimney, taking a shower, or sorting out some collection or belongings you have.

Try finding one of those little keychain-type games or mini-Rubik's cubes (or something like that) and keep it with you at school. If you're not writing keep the thing in your hand and keep your hands busy with it, rather than allowing them to wander to your face.

The world is full of people who can't or won't control their actions. People eat too much, drink too much, yell at their kids, won't make their beds, smoke, watch too much television, won't wash their dishes before they go to bed, and on and on and on. You aren't the only one who is having some trouble stopping a habit or exercising control. On top of it, you're a kid. In a world of grown-ups who can't or won't control their actions you shouldn't worry too much if you're got a habit that's hard to stop.

Answer 7

first of all try proactive or acne free if you haven't already..out of everything i have tried they are the only ones that actually wotk....i hear ya on the pickin...i'm notorious the thing is if you have a blackhead or even a white head i think getting the blockage out of you pore helps it heal faster but if you don't pick it right then it gets imflammed and looks ten times worse... so my friend showed me how to push the blockage out properly.. you have to push down on each side of the pimple...but don't go after anything that is not ready to pop!
good luck

Answer 8

It sounds like you need prayer:) Its ok you are young and you are going to go thru these problems we all have well not the picking at my acne but look let it ride out. I promise you that you will be fine. Just do things to keep yourself focused. KEEP YA HEAD UP BE GOOD")

Answer 9

Ask them to take you to a specialist in that area. There are many new medications and creams that will take care of your acne.

Answer 10

Sweetie, you may have bad nerves. Ask your parents what they think about the situation. They may want to seek medical attention for you. Try proacitve. It's GREAT! Good Luck!