The concept of addiction is mostly associated with the use of illegal drugs or alcoholism in society. If you searched the term ‘addiction’, it is most definite that the suggested words following suit would be drugs or alcohol. However, do you know that you can be addicted to habits that might otherwise not be connotated as illegal but are actually harmful. One such habit is that of pressing pimples.

While this addiction might not resonate with people who do not suffer from acne, it reverberates with those that suffer from it. Guess what? I am one of those people. I have had acne since my high school years and one habit that has stuck with me during this period, is that of pressing pimples. I started doing this as a means of ridding myself of the pimples. With time I unconsciously derived pleasure and considered it a part of me. Even though I knew that if I pressed the pimples, it would cause scarring and lead me to crying two days later, – because I hated the dark spots on my face – I just couldn’t stop.

Acne leads to a decrease in self-esteem or self-worth due to the bumpy appearance one’s face projects. This journey is one that is characterized with tears, anger, anxiety, frustration and depression as one tries different solution to get rid of the acne. The addiction of pressing pimples is developed as a coping mechanism; established to make the pimples go away as fast as possible. However, just with any repeated action or reaction it becomes a habit and then an addiction. Addiction can be mild or severe and affects different people at disparate degrees or magnitude.

The need to stop this addiction is essential as it ensures a decrease in the spreading of bacteria that facilitate the rise of acne. Majority of dermatologists recommend not pressing pimples as a means to attaining an acne-free face. I know it is not easy because the slightest touch on one of my pimples on my face and am rushing to the mirror to press it away. I have tried different mechanisms to reduce this behavior but I guarantee you that it has been difficult.

Nonetheless, through this journey I have invented some methods that have helped me steer away from pimples on my face. Here are a few pointers on how to mitigate your addiction of pressing pimples.

1.Use a physical barrier between your fingers and the pimple

This method is aimed at creating a barrier that eliminates the action of pressing the pimple. Physical barriers to be utilized can range from band aids, hydrocolloid patches or a full face bandage. Another physical barrier that I consider effective -especially for women – is the application of makeup. When I apply makeup I rarely end up touching my face which then reduces the chances of me squeezing the pimples away. The need to have your makeup look good all day, curbs the urge of one touching the face and pressing the pimples thereof. These barriers help your fingers to stay away from the pimples and thus, leading to the acne disappearing on their own.

2. Stay away from mirrors as much as possible

Mirrors act as a catalysts to the act of pressing pimples. More often than not when I come across a mirror, I find myself devouring my face to look for any small pimples, whiteheads or blackheads. Obviously, majority of the times there is a pimple lurking somewhere; the result of me at the mirror being pressing as many pimples as I can. Therefore, if it is possible for you to reduce the frequency and length at which you look at yourself in the mirror, the more chances there are of you having a better face.

3. Use your partner/spouse/roommate/ guardian as your stop sign

Self-control is hard to come by when it comes to any sort of addiction. With mirrors lurking around the house from the bathroom to the bedroom and when the physical barriers are over and the store is too far away to go and purchase some more; it is easy to just press the pimples as we please. Spouses, roommates or guardians – or whoever is close to you – come in handy as they act as your ‘STOP’ alarm sound when your fingers find their way to the face. I know this for sure because my husband plays this role too many times. Whenever he sees me touching my face, he will either scold me or look at me with an angry face – and that’s the cue to stop pressing or touching my face. Thus, if you have somebody close to you, they can act as your STOP SIGN and help you from indulging into pressing your acne. I know it might be hard but as they continually halt you from touching your face, you progressively gain one more step towards a clear and smooth skin.

These are NOT dermatologically tested methods, but they have slowly helped me gain little but sure steps towards a better skin. Hopefully they can help you too!