u/Ezaskielv

I need some help, I genuinely cannot stop picking at my acne, but I also do it with completely ordinary skin bumps..

In "short", I don't even need to be looking in a mirror, if I feel a bump under my fingers, I'll automatically start scratching at it, sometimes without even realizing I'm doing it, and it happens all over my body, my face, neck, shoulders, back, thighs, legs, arms, basically everywhere.

Sometimes I end up using extremely harsh skincare products (and even hydroalcoholic gel ??) on my face to the point where my skin becomes really dry and starts peeling, because for some reason I'm much less likely to scratch when my skin is very dry or burning.

I also sometimes use a needle on any bump I can feel because it feels less destructive than scratching it I guess, but unfortunately I sometimes end up doing it until it bleeds.

A little unrelated, but I also wash my hands constantly before and after scratching throughout the day, so my hands have become extremely dry and irritated too...

I know this sounds extreme, but I've genuinely never managed to stop. I've been doing this for years and it's exhausting, it's really destroying what little self-esteem I have.

I'm also autistic (diagnosed), and I don't know whether that could be related to this behavior in some way, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Does anyone have any advice for breaking these habits..?

I need some help, I genuinely cannot stop picking at my acne, but I also do it with completely ordinary skin bumps..

In "short", I don't even need to be looking in a mirror, if I feel a bump under my fingers, I'll automatically start scratching at it, sometimes without even realizing I'm doing it, and it happens all over my body, my face, neck, shoulders, back, thighs, legs, arms, basically everywhere.

Sometimes I end up using extremely harsh skincare products (and even hydroalcoholic gel ??) on my face to the point where my skin becomes really dry and starts peeling, because for some reason I'm much less likely to scratch when my skin is very dry or burning.

I also sometimes use a needle on any bump I can feel because it feels less destructive than scratching it I guess, but unfortunately I sometimes end up doing it until it bleeds.

A little unrelated, but I also wash my hands constantly before and after scratching throughout the day, so my hands have become extremely dry and irritated too...

I know this sounds extreme, but I've genuinely never managed to stop. I've been doing this for years and it's exhausting, it's really destroying what little self-esteem I have.

I'm also autistic (diagnosed), and I don't know whether that could be related to this behavior in some way, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Does anyone have any advice for breaking these habits..?

I will be starting laser hair removal very soon (armpits and full bikini), and I wanted to ask a few specific questions that I couldn't find precise answers to before my appointment.

The questions might sound a bit stupid or obvious, but I'd rather ask them and get clear answers to avoid any potential problems.

- Can I still use the Revitalising Hair Tonic that I normally apply to my scalp, even though it's completely unrelated to the areas being treated?

The product I use is Weleda Revitalising Hair Tonic oil, and the ingredients are:

Water, Alcohol denat., Cochlearia Armoracia (Horseradish) Leaf Extract, Sedum Acre Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Potassium Carbonate, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol.

I heard I should even stop it two weeks before starting any sessions, is that true ?

- If I can't, should I stop using it only shortly before the laser sessions, or throughout the entire course of treatment (which will likely last close to a year)?

- Can I continue taking Vitamin D3 and Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) supplements or should I stop ?

- I understand that I shouldn't pluck, wax, or otherwise remove the hair from the root between sessions, but am I still allowed to shave the concerned zones whenever needed, othen than only the day before each session?

- Would it be possible to have a session at another unrelated clinic (provided it is reputable and professional) if I am unable to attend my usual one?

I'm in France, but I sometimes have to travel to Germany and I'm not sure I would always be able to return in time for appointments at the clinic I normally go to.

- If so, I assume I should obtain the treatment settings and information used by my usual clinic so that I can provide them to the other clinic?