Has anyone tried just letting people see the scars?

I've been opening up to a select few. It is uncomfortable to talk about but once it's not a secret anymore I think it's easier to accept it. I have talked to my mom, sister, boyfriend and even a coworker who picks as well. I don't feel as alone now because I have people to tell my feelings to and I am able to work through it better.

I pick pretty badly on my arms and chest, well over a decade now. A few years ago I got fed up with wearing sweaters in the summertime and just wear what I want now, low cut shirts, sleeveless tops, whatever. Very few people say anything. Sometimes if I don't feel like explaining it I just say I had an allergic reaction, mostly if I'll never see that person again. If anyone says anything it's usually a kid and I just say it's bug bites. They say okay and get over it. If I'm hoping to get to know someone better and they ask or I notice they're looking at it, I tell them. It's an anxiety thing, it's a habit I'm trying to break. I'm not ashamed anymore, hiding from it hasn't helped. If it bothers them and they don't wanna see me again, fine. It's their problem. No one who truly cares is gonna worry about it. Most people don't notice it, honestly. I promise. Think about the last time YOU saw someone that had ezcema on their face or something? You may notice it for a second but it's not going to stick on your mind. Your scars or wounds won't bother anyone else for more than a second, IF they notice it. Try it. It's good for our abused skin to breathe, and if you can learn to not BE your picking, maybe you'll be less inclined to pick? It's worth a shot :)

I recently just "came out" to the government...literally. I was pretty afraid that I would get kicked out of the military if I admitted it, but I kick ass at work/don't let it hinder my job. I'm working on getting help. I was pretty afraid, but I figured living with this for the rest of my life would be worse than getting discharged from the military. ------------------------------ I stopped wearing sweaters my junior year in high school; no one really paid much attention to my arms and everyone just though I had bad acne at the time. It feels great to wear shorts and tshirts in public; it definitely takes some confidence at first. I just recently started telling my close friends and family about it. I've never had had a stranger ask me what my scars were from-I can't remember if anyone did in HS or not or if I just hid it with sweaters, but I would say go for it! Don't let anyone get you down. They don't realize how strong you are for what you're dealing with. I would straight up tell anyone who tried to put me down for it that they have an ugly personality. Hope this helps. :)

I try, I try, I try. During the summer, I will wear a racerback only tank to the front door and then I end up turing back around to put on something else covering my back . I actually dont mind my chest and face being out for the most part but its my back that has me stuck in the house and embarrassed that I have scars. I am slowly buliding the courage to wear my racerback tanks but I dont know if I will ever be able to wear a competely open back outfit or swimsuit. I spend up wards to 100-200 dollars on my swimsuit every year to make sure it covers as much back as possible. Its a war in my mind constantly. I feel your pain. But above all its all about courage and and being secure in who you are. I'm just not there yet. Good Luck and I wish you all the best!

Hi-- I'm 22 and I kind of do a combination of things. I do the typical "crap what can I actually wear in my closet in Florida heat?!" nonsense when my skin looks really bad. So yes, If I've just recently picked and everything is very fresh and obvious, I try to cover it up. But I've told people about it. One time I told a girlfriend I wasn't coming to her pool party- this was actually rather recently-- because the picking was so bad and I was embarrassed by it. I told her I have OCD and I'm just struggling with it right now. She was really kind and understanding- even encouraged me to join anyway, and just wear regular clothing! I've also explained it to significant others/ potential significant others... they often seem perplexed at first but thus far have been nice about it. It doesn't seem to be a huge deal to them. Ultimately I think the battle is with ourselves. Self-acceptance is a wonderful thing and we should all strive towards that first!

I was ashamed of my picking when I was younger and I used to cover it up. I mainly picked at my upper arms & back so baggy tees or long sleeved shirts were what I lived in from age 12-17 or so. Then I started to accept the issue, and accept myself (as cheesy as that sounds) so I abruptly stopped covering up. My advice is to not be ashamed of the problem. In my experience that only made things worse. Wear tank tops & shorts, don't wear makeup to cover up your face. Just be you & accept yourself for who you are. You may pick at your skin, but thats not who you are. Covering up with clothes just makes you feel like you are hiding a part of yourself from the world. And if you're feeling extra daring, be honest and open when/if people ask about your scars/scabs.

Hi, I hate to be the debby downer of the bunch, but I havent come out to anyone. In fact, that is why I joined this site today. I have gone out without makeup and wearing short sleeves, but then someone would ask me why I am "polka-dotted" or stare at me as I walk by. I would always use the excuse my mother used, that I was a "night-picker" or blame everything on a hike, my multitude of cats, my teething puppy or that my skin heals very slowly. In fact, the other day my brother asked why I was "night-picking" again, for I have two very large open lacerations on my hands that are far too big to be covered by bandaids. I dont own a pair of shorts, and I would never wear a bathing suit. For the most part my scars are in places that people cant see, and that is intentional. I havent seen a doctor about my pickings, so I am afraid that people will reject my assertion, claiming that I am trying to appeal to the "romance" of having a condition with a name. I'm sorry about being a Negative Nancy. Thanks for reading.

Hi, I hate to be the debby downer of the bunch, but I havent come out to anyone. In fact, that is why I joined this site today. I have gone out without makeup and wearing short sleeves, but then someone would ask me why I am "polka-dotted" or stare at me as I walk by. I would always use the excuse my mother used, that I was a "night-picker" or blame everything on a hike, my multitude of cats, my teething puppy or that my skin heals very slowly. In fact, the other day my brother asked why I was "night-picking" again, for I have two very large open lacerations on my hands that are far too big to be covered by bandaids. I dont own a pair of shorts, and I would never wear a bathing suit. For the most part my scars are in places that people cant see, and that is intentional. I havent seen a doctor about my pickings, so I am afraid that people will reject my assertion, claiming that I am trying to appeal to the "romance" of having a condition with a name. I'm sorry about being a Negative Nancy. Thanks for reading.