Accomplishments

i made it to day 48. i picked one on the 49th and started over. i made it a week and scrubbed too hard on a whte head with a wash cloth and then scratched at it on day 6. i'm on day 1 again now and i resolve to do better. it seems i must keep my wits and strength about me.

awesome! absolutely awesome !! DAY 11 !! that is fabulous! so you've noticed improvements in your skin? that's great and so rewarding. i also found i didn't pick with makeup on not wanting to mess it up, wanting to look good. whatever works!! it does feel wonderful to be able to go out without makeup on too, though. you must be feeling really proud of yourself and deservedly so. it's great to read of your progress. keep strong! <3 <3 <3

I'm almost done day 15 now. The urges today were strong but I didn't give in and it wasn't too hard to walk away. I'm seeing the dermatologist tomorrow for a regular visit. I am putting on eye makeup when I wake up to deter me and it seems to be working. I just keep telling myself that blackheads are 1m times better than red dots! Good luck to everyone! Keep it up!

that is a great idea! i loathe wearing face make-up .. especially any sort of powder or foundation i DREAD having to put on to go out at night, but often i feel the need to do it because i have picked so badly you can see all the marks. HOWEVER, wearing eyeshadow during this 40 day challenge definitely seems like it will do wonders!! i am going to go try that right now. awesome, thanks 40daysfromnow :)

it's great to hear you say "I'm gonna do this!" ... and that you're about done day 2 !! ... and that you're recognizing some of the triggers! ... and most of all that you're thinking less about it !! ... way to go! ... you might try candle light in your bathroom too .. some say that works good ... keep up the good work !! ... <3 <3 <3

it is comforting, indeed, to know you are not alone. and now that you're aware of that and are more knowledgeable about the condition perhaps you're ready to research the tactics that will help you be kind to your skin, rather than harmful regardless of what your brother and cousin do. maybe you can be an example to them. use gloves, lotions, the elastic band on the wrist, and simple better basic skin care principles for the sake of wanting healthier skin. some good guidelines are as follows --------->>>> CLEAN your skin – use a gentle cleanser nightly with warm water, not hot. Hot water dehydrates. Do a final rinse with cool water to close pores and calm inflammation. Do it lovingly -- BANDAGE open sores - keep bandages on as long as possible to allow healing. Bandages deter sores from being picked at and keep wounds moist and protected from contamination -- MOISTURIZE your skin - avoiding bandaged areas. Use gentle effective moisturizers such as olive oil, Cetaphyl, or Aveeno, etc. especially in dry climates and seasons -- SLEEP well - Get 7hrs + nightly on bedding cleaned weekly (consider fragrance hypoallergenic laundry detergent) -- CLEAN gently with warm water and cool rinse in the morning -- MOISTURIZE again. -- DO NOT PICK !!!– use what deterrents help: snapping an elastic on your wrist, wearing gloves, using only candle light in bathrooms, sitting on hands watching tv, driving with both hands on the wheel, bandages kept on sores under clothing, avoiding situations used previously, anything that helps -- take a MULTIVITAMIN -- DRINK LOTS OF WATER throughout the day -- EAT WELL – a good diet for skin includes whole grains, water, green tea, omega 3 fatty acids (salmon, walnuts, flax seeds, avocados), low fat yogurt, berries (esp blue berries), nuts (esp walnuts, almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, pistachios), cottage cheese, mangoes, whole grains, good oils (olive, safflower, canola), and carrots/sweet potatoes -- AVOID too much caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, sugar, and fried foods -- EXERCISE – take walks at minimum. It stimulates anti-depressant activity in the brain naturally -- AVOID STRESS/EMPLOY STRESS MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES – research this to see what you can do within your limitations. Seek help with this. It may be the underlying cause of CPD -- NETWORK with others that understand skin picking disorders. -- SUPPORT EACH OTHER – this is the best, to know we are not alone. -- RESEARCH relevant topics: wound healing, skin needs, picking disorders, stress management