Picker's Acne or Acne Excoriee

Acne excoriée or picker’s acne is the term given for scratched or picked pimples. Acne excoriée begins as a common acne outbreak of pimples. A pimple erupts, first one, then another. Many people find it almost impossible not to mess with, poke, prod, and squeeze the pimple. Acne excoriee is considered an emotional motivated or induced acne condition.

The problems that arise with picking and scratching acne blemishes is that it’s unsanitary and infection can set in, causing a larger blemish. Neurotic squeezing and pressing of the pimples, trying to rid the contents with the fingers, exacerbates minimal acne lesions on the face. As a result, hyperpigmentation and stellate contracted scars occur, while often the original underlying acne has healed. Acne excoriée is more common in females than males, and can be a sign of stress or depression. Sometimes it is just a bad habit that's hard to break; the acne may not actually be all that severe.

Why Do We Pick Acne Pimples?

Acne excoriee usually begins during adolescence, when ideas of self-image are in upheaval and undergoing change, matching the hormonal and growth changes going on with the body. A fragile self-image may create an atmosphere where every imperfection perceived, real or not, is distortedout of porportion. By picking away at the acne blemishes on the face, many people find satisfaction, as if they are picking away at their troubles or their emotional pain. Others pick because they are nervous or uncomfortable with the changes in their body. They cause physical damage to their faces in order to fend off any physical advances they may be unperpared to deal with . Picking acne lesions may also be a coping mechanism designed to mask or hide the pain of physical or emotional abuse in the picker’s life. This trauma may be ongoing or an eent from their past.

One sign that distinguishes excoriated acne from acne vulgaris is by the presence of hyperpigmented brown spots on the areas of the skin where acne eruptions are likely. These brown spots are scars from previous blemishes that have been picked to the point of permanent tissue damage.

Shaving Can Result in Acne Bumps

Shaving can cause a persistent inflammation of the skin. During the shaving process, the razor can damage the skin and the hair follicles in the skin. As the hair re-grows, it can become trapped within the hair follicle. When the hair follicle becomes trapped it can cause swelling, redness and irritation. It is this swelling process that results in bumps resembling acne pimples. Curly hair tends to curl into the skin instead of straight out the follicle, leading to an inflammation reaction. These inflamed papules or pustules can become infected. If left untreated over time, this can cause keloid scarring in the beard area.

To reduce the occrrence of this type of shaving realted acne, it is beneficial to cleanse the skin properly between shaves. Use a wash cloth to gently exfoliate and remove the dead skin cells.

Shaving with the correct razor can make all the difference. We recommend using an electric razor and shave with the skin wet using a sensitive skin cream such as Noxzema shave for sensitive skin with Dimethicone skin protectant. An electric razor won’t give you the closest shave, but it will help prevent breakouts. If you can’t use an electric razor, the next best choice is a single blade razor. The reason for choosing a single blade razor over the multi-blade razors is that the multi-blade razors lift the hair out of the follicles before cutting. This process is great for getting a smooth shave because it actually cuts the hair below the surface of the skin. This can create breakouts, because with the hair no longer sticking out through the epidermis, the skin’s natural healing process causes the skin to grow over the hair follicle where the hair used to be and sealing the hair follicle. As the hair grows, it has to fight its way through this sealed follicle, which irritates the skin and causes an inflammatory response, which leads to breakouts.

Shaving properly can make a difference. We’ve always been taught to shave against the grain for a closer shave, but this actually cuts the hair below the epidermis, having a similar effect that the multi-blade razors have. It is best to shave with the grain, which typically means shaving down instead of up. This is true for both men and women. Not only is this effective in preventing breakouts, it helps with nicks and cuts as well.