#22890 - 05/04/05 02:31 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Top 10 Contributor
Registered: 06/25/04
Posts: 373
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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hey pp, i dont have this obsession on my legs, but i had the obsession on my chin/face, so you can imagine the dark pigmentation, ingrowns, redness and pimples in the area because of this obsession. what made me stop is electrolysis. knowing that if i keep plucking will prolong my electrolysis treatment, i stopped cold turkey!.. you might not be interested in electrolysis, but why dont you try letting the hair grow for two weeks or so and wax or sugar. that way you are hair free for 3 weeks or so and that can give you some time of relief to get over your obsession. good luck! and you are not alone!
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#22891 - 05/07/05 11:03 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Major Contributor
Registered: 11/02/04
Posts: 100
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why don't you try rotary epilators, like silk epil braun? they easily and with relatively very little pain remove hair from the root and it lasts for several weeks. i am very satisfied by my silk epil. the first day, your legs will look red, but that lasts only one day or less. after that your legs will be smooth for a month with no need to shave.
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#22893 - 05/18/05 04:09 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 05/18/05
Posts: 5
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Read this page on Trichotillomania: http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/92.cfm. I also used to have this problem but I scarecely do it anymore. I second the suggestion of using a rotary epilator. At least you won't be scarring your legs this way and the results will be more lasting so you won't have to think about it that often. Just know that you are not alone.
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#22894 - 05/21/05 10:14 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Top 10 Contributor
Registered: 08/22/04
Posts: 565
Loc: San Diego, California
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YES! I have it very, very much so. So bad in fact that I have already thrown away two pairs of tweezers just to go out and buy more. That's why I shave daily early in the morning, so there will be nothing to pluck. This helps because then I can forget about it. Even at work when in the restroom I look down at my legs and try gripping onto hairs with my fingernails. I know where you're coming from, it turms into a real obsession and it scars up your legs. I've became better at just leaving them alone.
As for the rotary epilators. I have three and used them for years. I would advise against it. Why? because they increase that gratification feeling of plucking. It's like it gets you to like the plucking feeling more, and makes you think about it more. Plus, they can cause hair follicals to split and grow two hairs, you get more ingrowns, and you get hyperpigmentation spots if you have dark hair. Just shave, it's better in terms of exfoliation anyway. Your skin will be a lot healthier as opposed to epilating.
_________________________
Electrolysis, since 1875
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#22895 - 05/26/05 11:02 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Contributor
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 19
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Thank you so much. I don't feel so alone now. I also am getting better. I used to pull out the tiny tweezers that I had on my keychain pocket knife and pluck while I was in the restroom at work. So, I know your pain. I also feel that shaving is the best.
Thanks again!
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#22896 - 05/26/05 11:03 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Contributor
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 19
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Yes, I am clearing large areas, and yes it does take forever.
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#22897 - 06/05/05 04:58 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 06/05/05
Posts: 4
Loc: Brooklyn, NY
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In Elizabeth Wurtzel's book, More, Now, Again, she describes an extended bout with compulsive leg-tweezing.
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#22898 - 06/09/05 11:58 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 06/09/05
Posts: 1
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Are you still plucking? I do every time I take a bath and also late at night when my daughter is asleep. Her dad serves on a submarine, so he has no idea what is going on. I spend hours and hours tweezing my legs. My daughter (two years old) has already gotten ahold of a pair of my tweezers ( I probably have about tweny pairs), and she acts out my tweezing. She doesn't actually do it because it hurts, but I'm scared for her to pick up this habit. Have you gotten any help? Jenn
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#22899 - 06/17/05 10:23 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 06/14/05
Posts: 1
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You really are not alone! I had the problem of plucking my chin and eyebrows (to the point of where I had holes in them!) I finally sought out help for it and it really is a problem that goes well beyond just hair. It is an obsession which I deal with on a everyday basis. I see a therapist and she has started me on anti-depressant medicine to control my compulsions. I have noticed a huge difference. Although I know this is a hair forum and not an OCD one, I just wanted to let you know that I too know what you are feeling and probably A LOT more do too!
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#22900 - 07/05/05 10:46 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Contributor
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 19
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It is awefull. I also pluck for hours. I enjoy plucking out each hair. When I dig out the ingrown ones, then I get big bloody scabs on my legs. I usually use a pin and tweezers for that. Because of the plucking, it looks like I have chicken pox all over my legs, from the knee down. I'm getting married soon and I want to stop. No one knows about this. I get better and then start again. It's hard to shave because of all of the bumps and scabs.
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#22901 - 07/14/05 11:00 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 07/14/05
Posts: 1
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Ohmigosh. I do this too. I thought I was the only one! In my case, it's probably part OCD, and I've been doing it since I was very young (I'm 40 now). I really only pluck from my legs between ankle & knee, and just "love" to dig those ingrown hairs out. Then I feel horrible after I've done it because I know I'll just have yet another scar. But it is definitely an obsession. Needless to say, I hate summer, hate wearing shorts in public and wish I could wear dark panty hose thru the entire summer. During the hot weather, I have to put makeup on my legs (coverup) because my legs are so badly scarred. Does anybody know of anything that helps fade the scarring? I've gone to a hair removal clinic and spoke with one of the ladies there about the scars, and she said there wasn't much to do. The scars are a bunch of brownish & reddish dots, and apparently due to my mediterranean background, I have hyperpigmentation, which accentuates the scars. I always look at other's women's bare legs and wish I had flawless skin on my legs, and wish I had never started doing this. Sigh. I'm so glad I found this forum.
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#22902 - 07/16/05 07:47 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Top Ten Contributor
Registered: 12/16/02
Posts: 409
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It is truly sad. My wife and I both read Wurtzel's book, and when I was doing electrolysis on her legs, she commented that for all the time spent and pain endured with tweezing, you could be getting permanent hair removal with electrolysis.
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#22903 - 07/24/05 02:30 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 07/24/05
Posts: 1
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*raises hand slowly*
I am in the club, too, apparently.
I seriously thought I was the ONLY one. I had no idea this was a disorder.
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#22904 - 08/21/05 06:16 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 08/21/05
Posts: 2
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I have black coarse hairs coming out of my chin, neck, chest...I don't see my plucking as being a disorder, the black hairs are the problem. Yes, the scar tissue looks like hickies but that is better than the hair. I know I need to do laser or go back to electrolysis.
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#22905 - 09/21/05 03:59 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Top 10 Contributor
Registered: 01/28/05
Posts: 514
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Hi:
I used to pluck my wrists and hands which became an obsession. It takes a lot of time outof your day and if you have a partner it will drive them to kill mode!
It was recommended that rather than being killed for being annoying that I should get them lasered. So I started that, stopped the plucking and it seems to be working. I really could not stand the dark hairs showing, and this has thinned them out considerably.
Alicia
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#22906 - 11/22/05 04:44 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 11/20/05
Posts: 2
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When i was a little kid (11), I'd pluck my leg hairs simply because I didn't want to shave and supposedly "make them grow back THICKER!!" I wouldn't say it was an obsession - 'twas fun, though! A clean pluck with no sound is the BEST, isn't it? I hated it when the hairs would literally snap. Haven't done it in ages although i did it a few weeks ago on my kneecaps because they're hard to shave. Hope you find help. Try waxing - then you can't do it for weeks at a time!
Edited by Tanya_Kiwi (11/22/05 04:46 PM)
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#22907 - 11/29/05 03:51 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 11/29/05
Posts: 1
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Wow. I was just doing an online search about Tend Skin when I came across this forum. I did some reading and joined because I absolutely HAD to reply to this. I used to do the EXACT same thing to my legs. I would spend hours contorted with my leg up next to a lamp and pluck. (The knee area was the most satisfying.) Then I started shaving/waxing my pubic area and found a whole other place to pluck! So much easier to reach! I do it every time I go to the bathroom. It leaves me with huge red bumps and I'm sure it just makes the ingrowns worse (but I secretly like the ingrowns because I want to dig them out....)
I am positive that I have OCD as far as picking/plucking is concerned. (I used to have acne, so I also have scarring from the picking I did on my face.)
I just needed to share. You are not at all alone.
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#22908 - 12/10/05 01:31 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 12/10/05
Posts: 1
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Thanks all of you... you have made me feel normal. I pluck with sewing needles; I have started shaving all over just to get some hairs to pluck. It really soothes me; sometimes I spend an hour looking for hairs to pluck. I even think about it when I go to sleep. I think that if there was a profession for pulling out ingrown hairs, I would be the woman. I still feel weird writing this. When I start looking at my legs and arms for ingrown hairs in public, and someone asks me what I'm doing, I have to make excuses like, "Oh, I missed a spot shaving," or "I think I got bit by a bug."
I think we should all keep in touch and create some sort of support group!
Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!
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#22909 - 12/10/05 02:07 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Top 10 Contributor
Registered: 03/22/02
Posts: 3921
Loc: Los Angeles
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Anyone who feels their hair plucking has gotten to a level where it is a concern should speak with a health professional about options for controlling obsessive behaviors. In some cases amd anti-anxiety drugand/or therapy can help get these kinds of things under control.
_________________________
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#22910 - 02/08/06 08:55 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Major Contributor
Registered: 01/27/06
Posts: 141
Loc: SanFernando Valley, California
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Quote:
Thanks all of you... you have made me feel normal. I pluck with sewing needles; I have started shaving all over just to get some hairs to pluck. It really soothes me; sometimes I spend an hour looking for hairs to pluck. I even think about it when I go to sleep. I think that if there was a profession for pulling out ingrown hairs, I would be the woman. I still feel weird writing this. When I start looking at my legs and arms for ingrown hairs in public, and someone asks me what I'm doing, I have to make excuses like, "Oh, I missed a spot shaving," or "I think I got bit by a bug."
I think we should all keep in touch and create some sort of support group!
Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL! Wow! Thanks for the laugh!
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#22911 - 02/08/06 09:08 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Major Contributor
Registered: 01/27/06
Posts: 141
Loc: SanFernando Valley, California
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Wow! I seriously thought I was the only one! Thanks everybody for sharing! I too liked to pluck my legs, especially lower legs, and pick out the ingrown hairs! I went on to pluck my armpit hairs, but that wasn't as satisfying as the leg hairs. And unfortunately, I have the scars and hyperpigmentation on my legs from all the plucking and picking! I've tried to stop the picking and plucking, because I'm going to get laser hair removal. I'm going to try Patricia Wexler M.D. Exfoliating Glyco Peel System. because supposedly glycolic-acid works great on fixing uneven pigmentation. Wish me luck!
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#22912 - 04/26/06 09:00 PM
Hair plucking obsession
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Registered: 04/26/06
Posts: 1
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Well ladies, I too must join the club. I thought I was just strange, bored, lonely or a mixture of the three. I spend hours in the bathroom plucking my bikini area. I do it over several days. I hope I'm not OCD, but from what I'm reading, may have to at least consider. I've used sewing needles, pins from the dry cleaners, earring backs, whatever was in reach... At least discussing it gives me an outlet so I don't just feel weird. Thank you for sharing.
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#22913 - 05/02/06 08:59 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Contributor
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 19
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I'm still at it. Not as bad though. I have found that if I wear pantyhose, I am much less likely to pluck during the day. Once I am home and take off the panyhose, I put on a lot of lotion (see below). This really is helping. I also have tried "hiding" my tweezers by sticking them in a hard to reach place. That works for awhile but unfortunetly, I get them back out to pluck my eyebrows and then I'm right back to my legs. A few weeks ago, I was at Walgreens and I found Vita-K Solution for Blotchy Skin. On the back of the package is a picture of a skin sample. It looked a lot like my legs so I bought one. (Actualy they were buy one get one free) Yeah! I put it on every morning after I get out of the shower and every night before I go to bed. It hasn't done any miricles, but it has lightend my scars and my legs don't seem to be as red. I don't have the money for laser or anything like that, so this is my best bet so far. Here is a link for Vita-K: http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100304&id=prod7724Good luck and hope this helped. 
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#22914 - 06/29/06 08:46 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Member
Registered: 06/29/06
Posts: 5
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Hi everyone--I just wanted to say that I'm so glad I found this site! I have a same obsession and up til now I thought I was the only one. I'm so ashamed of my legs. I used to wear shorts and dresses all year round and people would always complement how nice my legs were. But when I entered college 4 years ago I started plucking them (I saw my mother do it) and I got such a satisfaction from doing it. It didn't take more than a year for my legs to look permanently scarred and discolored. Now I dread having to wear dresses or go to the beach. My boyfriend and I went river tubing in New Braunsfels, TX with a bunch of his friends last month and I felt like everyone was staring at my now ugly legs. I won't even let my boyfriend look at or touch them because I'm afraid he'll think they're repulsive. What's worse is that I've started doing the same thing to my bikini area, and now that's scarred and full of dark, ugly bumps too.
Does anyone know if there's a cure or some kind of regiment that would help to stop doing this? I've tried to stop but every time I go to the bathroom or am left by myself the first thing I go for are my tweezers. And I'm afraid that it may be too late--that I'll be stuck with these scars and hyperpigmentation.
Sorry I've rambled so much. I'm just so relieved to find others who are going through the same thing. I hope that we all can stop this bad habit and that we get our nice legs back. At least for me, I know it would boost my esteem by ten fold!
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#22916 - 07/13/06 11:28 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 07/13/06
Posts: 1
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I just stubbled across this website this evening while I was doing a google search on how to heal my legs from the ingrown hair and plucking damage I've experienced. You're not alone! I was so relieved to read all of the stories on this web posting. I thought for sure I was the only one that plucked my leg hairs! I haven't told a soul! I feel so alone in this! I NEVER wear shorts. I so long to have normal, clear skin! I also have a condition called keratosis pilaris (which, to my understanding, is a benign condition in which the hair follicles get keratin plugs and become reddened, inflamed, and unsightly!). So, due to this I have red bumps on the back of my arms and on my legs. So I'm used to not being able to wear shorts and feeling very uneasy about wearing sleeveless shirts). One day there was an ingrown hair on my leg that I plucked out with a tweezer and ever since then I've been plucking the hairs on my lower legs (especially the ingrown hairs). Now it's become an almost daily habit. I don't know what to do with the ingrown hairs that are left. Just let them heal on their own? I know plucking them can't be the answer. I'm very frustrated. However, it's such a relief to know I'm not alone! Thanks to each and every one of you who posted your struggles with this...it has brought me so much comfort to know I'm not a freak!
Any suggestions on how to heal my legs? What to do with the remaining ingrown hairs?
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#22917 - 07/15/06 10:33 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Contributor
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 19
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Hey everybody. I'm trying but, I am not strong enough. I keep telling myself, "I'll quit tomorrow" or, "I'll quit when if I get the job I want", or silly stuff like that. It hasn't worked. Even my husband doesn't know. He's seen me a few times but, I tell him I have an ingrown and I'm just getting it loose. It's sort of the truth. I've also realized that this hair thing is a bit OCD. My husband will sometimes get a long hair on his back and I just want to yank it out so badly. Sometimes I have. I just don't want him to think of me as a freak, although her already thinks I'm OCD about hair. I also can't stand hair in the bathtub or on the toilet. It's gross. Anyway, I'm still not better. I do shave my legs in the morning but, I always accidentaly leave some patches hairy and I can't stand that. Instead of being smart and getting out the razor again, I usualy go for the tweezers. Ahhhh...when is this going to end??? I to hate wearing shorts, espacialy around new people. I do it anyway but it is hard. We went on a cruise for our honeymoon last month and I felt like everyone was whispering behind my back. I saw all of those beautiful women with smooth legs and it made me wish I had never done this to myself. I'm not nearly as red and bumpy as I used to be; now I just have a lot of discoloration and scabs.
I'm right there with you guys. I try to not even look at my legs. Out of sight, out of mind sort of thing. Keep fighting the good fight. I'll let you know if I come across any miricle meds, lotions, or fixes. Hang in there.
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#22918 - 07/17/06 08:40 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Major Contributor
Registered: 01/27/06
Posts: 141
Loc: SanFernando Valley, California
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Quote:
Hey everybody. I'm trying but, I am not strong enough. I keep telling myself, "I'll quit tomorrow" or, "I'll quit when if I get the job I want", or silly stuff like that. It hasn't worked. Even my husband doesn't know. He's seen me a few times but, I tell him I have an ingrown and I'm just getting it loose. It's sort of the truth. I've also realized that this hair thing is a bit OCD. My husband will sometimes get a long hair on his back and I just want to yank it out so badly. Sometimes I have. I just don't want him to think of me as a freak, although her already thinks I'm OCD about hair. I also can't stand hair in the bathtub or on the toilet. It's gross. Anyway, I'm still not better. I do shave my legs in the morning but, I always accidentaly leave some patches hairy and I can't stand that. Instead of being smart and getting out the razor again, I usualy go for the tweezers. Ahhhh...when is this going to end??? I to hate wearing shorts, espacialy around new people. I do it anyway but it is hard. We went on a cruise for our honeymoon last month and I felt like everyone was whispering behind my back. I saw all of those beautiful women with smooth legs and it made me wish I had never done this to myself. I'm not nearly as red and bumpy as I used to be; now I just have a lot of discoloration and scabs.
I'm right there with you guys. I try to not even look at my legs. Out of sight, out of mind sort of thing. Keep fighting the good fight. I'll let you know if I come across any miricle meds, lotions, or fixes. Hang in there.
What happened with using the vita-k? Did you see any results?
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#22919 - 07/24/06 07:43 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Contributor
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 19
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It really didn't seem to do a whole lot; although, it was probably my fault. The experiment was faulty because I still was plucking.
I am trying to make it a point to shave my legs in the morning and put a lot of lotion on them. I've been using cocoa butter lately. Got a big bottle at Walmart for under $2. When I get home from work, I like to take a quick rinse off in the shower and I may do a little shaving again. Then another application of the lotion. Because my legs are slippery with lotion, that deteres me from plucking. Like I said before, I am also trying not to even look at my legs very much and certainly refraining from plopping them up on the bathroom counter.
Does anyone else have trouble shaving their legs? I don't know if it is my razor or if I simply just aren't shaving correctly but, I keep cutting myself. Not bad cuts but there is blood. It's also hard because of all of my scabs. If I hit one of those, I'll bleed. How and where do you shave? I shave in the shower and I use a shaving gel. The thing is, is that the gel seams to make my legs too smooth and slippery and that is how I cut myself. I just didn't know if there was a better way to do this.
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#22920 - 07/25/06 08:36 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Major Contributor
Registered: 01/27/06
Posts: 141
Loc: SanFernando Valley, California
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what kind of razor do you use? How often do you change the blade?
Don't press the blade down too hard when shaving.
And most importantly, stop plucking and picking!
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#22921 - 08/18/06 04:37 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Contributor
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 19
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OMG I just found the best stuff in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's called dermablend. Here is their website http://www.dermablend.com/productDetails.aspx?prodID=17 I bought mine at Belk and I got the set for 28.00. This stuff rocks. Of course, it doesn't heal up the scars but if covers them really well. I'm going tomorrow to see if I can get an extra tube of the cover up because it probably won't last long. I am amazed that this stuff. Check it out. I'm so happy!!!!!!!! Hope it works for you!
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#22922 - 08/18/06 05:02 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Major Contributor
Registered: 01/27/06
Posts: 141
Loc: SanFernando Valley, California
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Thank you! I've been looking for body make up! I'm going to buy it as soon as I can afford it.
I want to make sure I get the right shade, and thankfully some Macy's stores sell dermablend so hopefully I'll get the perfect color.
Edited by OhGodWhyMe (08/18/06 05:07 PM)
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#22923 - 09/20/06 06:41 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Member
Registered: 06/29/06
Posts: 5
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After reading this forum back in June I promised myself that I would go cold turkey on the plucking. And I did for a little over two months! I shaved every day (or every other day). At first shaving was very painful because I had all those bumps and ingrown hairs still, but if you keep at it, eventually your hair will start growing back normally without any ingrowns, and you'll be less prone to getting cuts when shaving. Oh also, I don't know if it helps promote new skin growth and thus heal scarring, but I used a pumice stone to exfoliate before shaving--that with shaving gel made my legs really smooth (after all the bumps and ingrowns went away). I even reached the point where I could look at my legs and see hairs and not grab for my tweezers. Unfortunately, I speak in the past tense. I came back to college and don't really have time to shave everyday, plus with the stress I started plucking again. But it's been about a week now and I haven't done it again yet, so hopefully I'll maintain it. I really hope so, at least. My legs were really improving, though it was a slow process but I don't know if the scars would have ever gone away. I want to see a dermatologist about it but I'm afraid he'll just think I'm a freak or not know what to prescribe me, or if there even is a way to get rid of the scars.
Anyway, thanks pink_piper for the dermablend link. Please keep us posted on how well the product works!
P.S. does it make your legs look waxy, like it obvious that there's make up on them?
Edited by dorkusmalorkus (09/20/06 06:43 PM)
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#22924 - 09/24/06 11:51 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Major Contributor
Registered: 09/20/06
Posts: 197
Loc: california
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i dont know if i fall under this category, but i hate hair, and plucking or gettig rid of them makes me happy so much.. but having thick hair has definately affected my life to a point where i've missed out on everythig, including my social life, freinds, and family , because i'm always worrying about hair..........and i do always inspect my skin for ingrown hair or hair to get rid of, this has left my skin really ugly
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#22925 - 10/09/06 12:06 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Member
Registered: 06/29/06
Posts: 5
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This is kind of going off on a tangent, but does anyone know why plucking hairs messes up your skin so badly, while waxing doesn't at all? I would have thought they'd have the same effect since isn't waxing, essentially, the same thing as plucking a lot of hairs at the same time?
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#22926 - 10/13/06 11:13 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 10/13/06
Posts: 5
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I am so glad I found this forum! My story is pretty much the same as everyone else here. I have been plucking up to my knees for about 4 years now, and my legs looks like I have some kind of terminal rash or tropical parasitic disease! I haven't worn shorts (or even capri pants) since I started. It's so very comfortable wearing jeans when its over 100 degrees out!
I do it about 1-3 times a day, spending at least an hour total. Once I get the idea in my head I have to stop whatever I'm doing and grab the tweezers. I've tried throwing them away, giving them to someone for safekeeping and plucking my eyebrows only while under supervision, but I always go out and buy new ones.
I feel so ashamed and guilty because no matter how bad I want to stop, I love doing it! It's such a stress reliever, and its just very satisfying. I'm embarassed to say, but when I run out of leg hairs and dug out all the ones I can see growing under my skin with a sewing needle, I've gone so far as to start on my pubic and underarm hair.
I want to stop, but once you stop, how do you get rid of all the remaining scars? I figure that since I'm going to be scarred anyway, I might as well keep doing it (stupid logic, right?). I've used vitamin E (straight from the vitamin capsule) and palmer's cocoa butter lotion, and it does help to soften the scars up a bit. Does anyone know if skin lightening scream or mederma might help? I'm definitely going to check out the dermabland, thanks for that suggestion.
My next try is going to be shaving my legs every time I feel the urge, even if it means shaving three times a day. Any other ideas?
Oh, and I also am being treated for bipolar and anxiety, and have been on many different meds. They have worked wonders for my other symptoms, but haven't helped at wll with this. I think good old fashioned therapy and behavior modification are going to be the only ways to stop.
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#22927 - 10/18/06 07:22 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Contributor
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 19
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dorkusmalorkus, thanks for the pumice stone advice. I'll give it a try. As far as the dermablend goes, I've noticed that in direct sunlight it does kind of look waxy and sort of fake. So, I usually wear it when I'm going out at night. You also don't seem to notice it very much under normal house lights.
I too have started plucking my pubic hair. I tried under my arms once but it hurt too much. I have noticed that the backs of my legs are getting much better looking because I'm not plucking them very much. The fronts are still terrible, ugly, red, scabbed, and bloody because I am still plucking them.
I too find it stress relieving and I am also in college and know how stressful it can be. Unfortunately, even though I tell myself when I am plucking that I need to stop and maybe I would have pretty legs if I stopped, I still continue until I am either satisfied, I hear someone coming, or my legs start to ache. They do get really sore and achy after a good plucking. Anybody else? I have been to a dermatologist several years ago but, I played dumb and didn't tell them how my legs ended up looking that way. They prescribed me all sorts of stuff but nothing worked. I too am afraid to tell anyone because I don't want to be thought of as a freak and me sent to therapy or to so a psychologist. I think I would rather have ugly legs. Do you consider this self-mutilation? I don't know.
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#22928 - 10/21/06 12:09 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Registered: 10/13/06
Posts: 5
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I have heard it described as a form of self-mutilation, but not quite the same as cutting or burning of course. I asked some health care type people and they said they consider it a form of trich and the treatment is different.
going to a therapist isn't a bad idea because some kind of behavior awareness and modification is necessary to stop and a therapist or counselor (one who is familiar with trich) can help you figure out the best way to do that, whether by practicing visualization, keeping a plucking journal, learning ways to deal with stress, etc. no one has to know why you are there except the person you are speaking to. you can just say you are seeing a counselor because you're stressed out from school and want to learn ways to deal with it. your school counselor should be able to recommend someone, or they might even have someone on campus you can see.
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#22929 - 10/21/06 01:10 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Top 10 Contributor
Registered: 06/03/02
Posts: 4612
Loc: Buffalo NY, & Traveling the US...
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Much of the information I have suggests strongly (the lawyers make me speak like this) that low serotonin levels, dehydration and minimal, or unbalanced Essential Fatty Acid intake can be to blame for this type of behavior. If you don't eat something every 3 hours, don't drink enough water, don't get good fats in the proper ratio to your proteins, and don't get 20 to 30 grams of fiber a day in your diet, then this alone could lead to stuff like this. Of course, I am not allowed to tell you that eating almonds, taking St. John's Wart, and 5-HTP, or some other source of Tryptophan can do better than zoloft. Oh, did I say that out loud? Um, ALLEGEDLY, yeah, that's the ticket, ALLEGEDLY 
_________________________
Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan. --- Tom Landry
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#22930 - 11/11/06 06:21 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Member
Registered: 11/11/06
Posts: 6
Loc: Tring, Herts, England
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I have this problem, it is a form of OCD, I thought my ocd had generally got better (I had a serious germ phobia which connected to my now beter acne) but it's come back with a vengeance in the form of plucking, I just love the feeling of getting a lovely long ingrown hair from my ankle, or my bikini line. It's so sad to think that these issues plague people, I wish I could just wave a magic wand and make you all better... I'm going to go talk to my GP about this issue and maybe change my medication since I am already on Sertraline.
I can spend hours and hours sitting hunched over studying every single inch of my legs, thighs and bikini line. I get back ache from doing this, but I just cant stop.
It's like people who binge eat, then feel so sad and guilty that they've done it.
I was in a psychiatric ward for 8 months, it was for a number of things, but I never really got actual help for my OCD, apart from meds, and I think I was in denial about my ocd anyway, I always thought it wasn't bad (I was a hand washer, etc...) I did meet the CBT therapists once, then I never saw them again, I dont know what happened.
Anyway, the best thing I can say is to definately go see a doctor, therapist, or someone who can actually help. I think people tend to pluck when they get bored, so try to fill your time up well. I am only going to allow myself to pluck my eyebrows once in a while, but not obsessively, otherwise I'll end up with none!
I've told my mum about my issue, she's helping me with it too.
I hope everyone whose posted on here wont let it get them down and will try to seek help, and eventually stop doing it.
Dont dissapoint me!
Dont treat your body and soul this way!
Seek help!
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#22931 - 12/02/06 01:40 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Major Contributor
Registered: 12/01/06
Posts: 55
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You "leg pluckers" are truely disturbed. You get enjoyment out of it??? There's something wrong with that.
I use a Braun Silk Epil 5270 and it gets rid of the hair for 3 weeks.
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#22932 - 12/03/06 12:29 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Member
Registered: 11/11/06
Posts: 6
Loc: Tring, Herts, England
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*snorts* You pathetic human being. How dare you call us "disturbed" when you came onto this post.
You need sensitivity training. This problem isn't something to laugh at, it affects everyone single one of us who've posted here.
I wonder what's "wrong" with you.
Hm.
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#22933 - 12/10/06 05:26 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Major Contributor
Registered: 12/01/06
Posts: 55
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Quote:
*snorts* You pathetic human being. How dare you call us "disturbed" when you came onto this post.
You need sensitivity training. This problem isn't something to laugh at, it affects everyone single one of us who've posted here.
I wonder what's "wrong" with you.
Hm.
You're right...because I have this insatiable need and urge to pluck my nose hair. I just love to do it...makes me tear up and everything. Nothing better...
[/sarcasm off]
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#22934 - 12/17/06 08:52 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Contributor
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 19
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Lincoln, you need to find a new place to post. If this doesn't apply to you then don't post, please.
Eve, I think what you said about being boared is very true. I have learned to keep myself busy so that I don't go in and pluck. I am still at it but, not as much as I used to be. Wouldn't it be great if all of us could stop now and by summer, our legs might look decent? That would be great. I try to set goals.
Remember, keep shaving those legs so that the hair is not there to pluck.
Hope everyone has a happy holiday.
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#22935 - 01/01/07 07:11 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Contributor
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 19
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Happy 2007, everybody! It's a great time to STOP PLUCKING. C'mon everybody we can do this together. I broke down last night and told my husband about my plucking. I feel SO MUCH BETTER. He just listened and didn't really ask any questions. He gave me a big hug and told me that I wasn't a "freak". I told him I've been doing it for at least 5 years and that I need help. I've asked him to take all of my tweezers away and only give one to me if I need it for my eyebrows. Once my eyebrows are done, he must take them back. I have also promised myself that I will not buy any more tweezers. I also told him that if I disappear into the bathroom (it has the best lighting in the house)for a long time, come check on me. It was hard to tell him but, I'm so glad I did. I was planning to go "cold turkey" starting today, new years and since telling my hubby, I think I will be strong enough to stop. Hopefully this will be my best year ever and I hope that it is yours too!
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#22936 - 01/07/07 03:10 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Member
Registered: 11/11/06
Posts: 6
Loc: Tring, Herts, England
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Oh, that's really good news!  It's amazing how you feel after telling someone about it, like a massive weight has been lifted. One of the most horrible things in life is to let something bother you so much and tell no-one about it, that's really crushing. I haven't done it for a while, but I guess that I dont notice sometimes because I have other stuff to bother about, which isn't all that good, but still. Anyway, I hope everyone had a great new year, and will continue with plucking abstinence 
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#22937 - 01/09/07 12:50 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
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Member
Registered: 01/09/07
Posts: 1
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Hey everyone, happy 2007. I'm really happy I found this board, because like most of you, I thought I was the only one too. Reading all of your posts made me realize that I started plucking in-depth last year, after I moved across the country to attend college (very stressful time). It seems to really be linked to stress like the web articles say. I have scars on the insides of my left leg (easier to reach because I'm right-handed) and the feeling I get from plucking seems to be really theraputic. I never really thought about it before. I love the feeling of digging out an ingrown hair or squeezing with my fingernails until the hair pops out... it sounds so weird to other people, I'm sure. Nobody knows but me and my tweezers.
I think I'm going to take PP's advice and TRY to stop tweezing for 07. New years resolution and whatnot.
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#39075 - 02/06/07 11:45 PM
Re: leg plucking obsession
[Re: Frogstar]
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Member
Registered: 06/29/06
Posts: 5
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I'm really proud of you, Pink_piper...it's difficult to tell someone (no matter how close they are) for fear of being called a weirdo. I told my boyfriend last summer and cried, but it was a huge relief since now he understands where my insecurity stems from. I encourage all of you to seek out that one person whom you trust because it really does help, but in the meantime I'm glad that this forum is here for support =)
Anyway, an update! As I said in my previous post, I went cold turkey on the plucking last summer but started up again when school resumed. Glad to say though that I managed to stop again in September and haven't done it since! My legs still look awful though--not as bad as they were when I plucked, but still unsightly compared to other girls'. There are still a gazillion dark spots from where the follicles grow but at least the raised bumps are gone. And I think they're getting better, though VERY slowly.
I went to the dermatologist today and am disappointed to say that she couldn't help much. I told her upfront what I had been doing for 4 years--and that I had read online of some treatments, namely Retin A and Glycolic Acid. But stupid me at the time forgot what they were called so I couldn't ask her for prescriptions! Judging from her expression she had never encountered such a case. When I told her about the plucking she said, "Oh yes, I guess you could have damaged your hair follicles by plucking so that's why you have those dots." Her suggestion: "just keep using lotion." I guess I made enough of a fuss about it that she prescribed me LacHydrin--which is pretty much lotion, only it mosturizes more. I was hoping she'd think of Retin A or Glycolic acid though, but again, I couldn't remember what they were called while I was there so couldn't bring it to her attention.
Speaking of, has anyone tried Glycolic acid or Retin A for their legs? I'm seriously considering making another appointment so I can get a prescription for them or at least more info, because somehow I doubt that LacHydrin will be much help.
Oh yeah, the only remedy I could remember the name of was Vitamin K. However she said that there's never been any conclusive research to back it so I shouldn't waste the money. But if anyone has different results, please, do tell!
Ok, I will end this essay now. Keep shaving and those tweezers locked up!
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#39965 - 03/07/07 03:26 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
[Re: dorkusmalorkus]
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Member
Registered: 03/07/07
Posts: 1
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hey..
i was on here looking for some information and came across your forum. Can i start off by saying that plucking hair is not necessarily OCD, so if this is your only issue, you needn't worry. I have been diagnosed with OCD from when i was young, although ive never had the courage to actually tell the doctors/psychologists about my plucking.
I used to pull out the hair on my head.. when i tried to stop doing that, my plucking began. I've been plucking my underarms for atleast 10 years now. It drives me insane because it feels so good and relieving but the frustration when i cant get certain ones kills me. i dig out ingrowns with pins, or just break the skin with my tweezers. And the hairs that are thicker than the rest i absolutely cant leave. I will pluck for hours just at one hair that is too short to even see without stretching the skin, it kills me. I do it in public & at work all the time with my fingernails (discreetly), until my nails are so worn down they wont meet each other anymore. And now over the last 3 years i have started on my eyebrows. I have almost none left and horrible scars from digging out the extremely short ones. I do this (eyebrow and underarm) every damn day for hours, and i often get hard lumps under my left arm (not ingrown hairs.. just lumps). i recently had one, and about a day before it went away, i got this severe pain in the side of my left breast. does anyone know what this could be? Im worried but too embaressed to see a doctor about it. the pain has lasted about a week so far (but only when reaching or bending or lifting) please help if u can
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#40355 - 03/17/07 05:54 AM
Re: leg plucking obsession
[Re: donthaveone]
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Contributor
Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 19
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Thank you for your encouragement; however, I’m sorry to say that I fell once again. I am still plucking. In fact, I was determined not to use tweezers and since my husband hid them from me, I stupidly used my nail clippers. I know, weird yeah. They actually worked but they didn’t dig like tweezers. I don’t recommend it. I really am trying to be good know though. Aaahhhhhh…But, at least my hubby knows and can try to help. I agree with you, Dorkus, everyone needs to tell at least one person whom they are really close to. It’s like a heavy burden somehow is lifted a little.
I want to say that I have used Retin A. It sounds really familiar. I went to a dermatologist about 5 years ago (did not tell them why I looked this way) and I think he prescribed it to me. If it’s the one I’m thinking of, it is a topical solution in a little bottle that has a rubber dabber thingy on top. In my case, it didn’t work but I was continuing to pluck so, I dunno.
Replying to the last post about underarm lumps; I tried plucking my underarm about a year but found that it hurt more than my legs (I guess it’s a tender spot) and that my neck cramped really bad when I did it. I pretty sure that I did get a few lumps under my skin and that sort of freaked me out but, I found that they went away in a few days. I hope that severe pain went away. Poor thing.
Please tell someone, people. It’s worth it.
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