Let me set the scene. You're straining over the bathroom sink. Face pushed up against the mirror. Breath fogging up the glass. Thumbs cramping from pushing, squeezing, and gnawing.
That innocent attempt to just ‘pop’ your white head has spiralled into trying to empty every pore across your face. Your skin now looks one million times worse than it before you touched your skin.
Sound familiar? If the answer is ‘no’. Must be nice.
If the answer is a big resounding ‘yes!’—settle in. We chatted with clinical psychologist Taash Balakas to find out why picking your skin is so satisfying (and sometimes irresistible).
Is skin picking psychological?
Taash: Skin picking, often dismissed as a mere bad habit, is a complex behaviour rooted in both psychological and biological factors.
For many, it serves as a coping mechanism, a form of self-soothing that can be triggered by emotional, cognitive, and sensory stimuli. People tend to pick at their skin or pimples in response to perceived imperfections, with an underlying desire to "fix" or remove blemishes.
Ultimately, skin picking is not simply a bad habit but a complex behaviour with psychological roots.
Why do we pick our skin?
Taash: One of the key reasons popping a pimple feels so satisfying lies in the brain's chemistry. Successfully popping a pimple releases dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward.
This brief surge of dopamine reinforces the behaviour, creating a cycle where the brain begins to associate skin picking with positive feelings. Additionally, there is a psychological component—popping a pimple can offer a fleeting sense of control over one’s appearance, especially during times when other areas of life may feel overwhelming or unpredictable. The immediate visual and tactile feedback from the act also contributes to its gratifying nature.
Underlying causes for skin picking can vary widely, but common triggers include anxiety, stress, boredom, and perfectionism. Emotional regulation plays a significant role, as individuals may use picking to manage feelings of discomfort, frustration, or restlessness.
Why is it hard to stop picking our skin once you’ve started?
Taash: Once someone starts picking at their skin, it can be challenging to stop due to a reinforcing feedback loop. Each instance of picking provides a small "reward" in the form of stress relief or satisfaction, which strengthens the habit over time. Furthermore, the behaviour often leads to a hyper-focused state where external distractions fade, making it difficult to disengage. The compulsion to continue often stems from an internal drive to achieve a sense of completeness, especially if the blemish isn’t fully ‘resolved’.
How to stop skin picking?
Taash: Breaking the habit of skin picking requires a multifaceted approach.
Increasing self-awareness is the first step; keeping a log of when and why the behaviour occurs can help identify specific triggers. Replacing picking with competing responses, such as using stress balls, fidget toys, or textured fabrics, can redirect the urge. Creating physical barriers, like wearing gloves or applying pimple patches, can also be effective. Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing, grounding exercises, or body scans, help manage emotional triggers without resorting to picking.
Additionally, establishing a soothing skincare routine can fulfil the desire to care for one’s skin in a healthier way.
What if these don’t work?
Taash: If skin picking feels uncontrollable and causes significant distress, seeking professional support is important. Consulting with a mental health professional can help determine if the behaviour is part of a larger condition.
First off, skin picking can be a psychological disorder. So if it feels uncontrollable, we recommend checking in with your doctor.
Seeking help is a strong, proactive step toward recovery, and with the right tools, managing and overcoming skin picking is entirely possible.
But is picking your skin that bad?
It’s unfortunately really not great for your skin. Skin picking can worsen your breakouts, increase the risk of scarring, and cause more damage to your skin tissue. Dermal therapist Yadira Galarza Cauchi explains why you shouldn’t pop your pimple over here.
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