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The 5 Bad Habits that Ruin Your Skin

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About the author:  FutureDerm.com is proud to introduce Dr. Hanan Taha, M.D., on our staff as a Contributing Writer. Dr. Taha received her MD from Kuwait University in 2002, and a master’s degree in Dermatology from the University of Alexandria in 2010.  She also runs a blog in Arabic dedicated to spreading the knowledge about dermatology and cosmetic dermatology in a simple, concise manner (elbashra.com).  For her full bio, please visit our About page.

It’s not easy. Whether it is smoking, drinking, biting our nails, or any other vice, quitting takes great commitment and strength. Nervous habits develop mainly as a way of letting off steam. Unfortunately, aside from being an unhealthy outlet, they also take a toll physically. Here are five nervous habits that affect your skin, and why you should try to quit them:

1. Nail-biting or Pulling hangnails

It’s not just about your nails being unpresentable: biting and tugging at your nails and hangnails breaks the skin, and once that happens, infection can soon follow, which can be very painful and problematic to treat, especially if the habit continues. In rare, very severe cases, this can even lead to loss of the nail entirely. (1) Pulling hangnails can also rip some of the normal skin without, causing a very painful cut.

Aside from skin infection and nail problems, nail biting also leads to complications in the gum and teeth. It can even go as far as affecting the jaw joint and bones. (2)

Solution: The most common solution to prevent nail biting is applying a bad tasting nail lacquer. Hangnails are basically dry skin, and the best solution is to keep a moisturizer close by and apply it three, four times a day. Or you can choose the natural route by massaging olive oil into your nails and cuticles.

2.)  Scratching

Scratching can either be due to an actual skin problem that makes it itchy, or it can be a form of stress relief. Sometimes it can be both.

Scientific fact:  Even if your skin is completely healthy, scratching it will destabilize immune cells called mast cells, releasing histamine from them, which will then cause actual itching and even more scratching, in a vicious cycle that continues on and on.(5)

A common example is seen in those who suffer from seborrheic dermatitis (SD). In a nutshell, SD is oily, itchy, flaky skin. Stress is known to bring about a flare up. (3) Scratching makes the matter worse, causing more stress. Thus you again enter a vicious cycle that is hard to break: you’re stressed -> SD flares -> you itch -> you scratch -> scratching induces more itching -> you scratch some more -> you stress because you’re scratching -> SD flares -> you itch!  On and on it goes.

Scratching may also be a form of stress relief that is unrelated to an existing skin problem. People who suffer from this habit explain that scratching comforts them.(4)

Whatever the reason for scratching, the skin is being broken, which facilitates the entry of microbes. Added to that, chronic itching leads to skin thickening and darkening.

Solution: This takes a lot of will power. Undoubtedly it will be an ongoing struggle. If you fail every now and then, don’t beat yourself up, and just get right back on that horse! Avoid scratch triggers: keep the skin well moisturized, wear soft fabrics, stay away from hot water and excessive skin rubbing, and manage stress. Discuss it with your dermatologist; you might have a skin disease that’s causing the itch (such as SD or atopic dermatitis).

3 -Lip licking / Lip biting

In an effort to bring back moisture to dry, chapped lips, some people resort to constantly licking their lips. This habit actually dries the lips even more. What you are doing is adding a layer of water that will evaporate from your lip surface. The thing is, when water is applied to the skin, it takes some of the skin’s own water with it! So you might feel better for a few minutes, but since you did not apply an occlusive agent to your lips afterwards, your skin will feel even drier than it did before in no time, and you will find yourself licking your lips constantly.(6)

Solution: always keep a lip balm handy! Apply it within three minutes of wetting your lips, to lock in the moisture.  Nicki loves Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Therapy ($25.00, Amazon.com).

4.)  Pimple picking/Pimple popping

More than 85% of us deal with acne in our teens. Post-acne scars and pigmentation changes are some of the most common things dermatologists see in their clinics. Sure, there are many treatments out there, ranging from peels to lasers and beyond. But bear in mind, it can be a costly, long process. You will need different treatments for different acne scars, and in the end, a 100% improvement is never guaranteed.

Solution: Resist the urge to pick or pop!  This is a must – control yourself!  🙂

5-Hair pulling

You see it mostly in children, but young adults can suffer from it too. Hair pulling, or trichotillomania (as it is known in the medical community), is usually caused by stress or something such as OCD.  Repeated pulling and tugging at hair will eventually lead to hair loss that could be extensive. This affects mainly the scalp, but can also affect eyebrows, eyelashes, and beards.  Also, pulling at longer hair with the teeth can cause dental erosion. Some patients actually swallow the hair, which could lead to gastrointestinal complications.(7)

Solution:  Of all the repetitive habits mentioned in this article, this is the most difficult to deal with. It will require seeking psychological help. The problem tends to become less severe with age, but for some, by that time, a lot of damage might have already occurred.(7)

Bottom Line

Quitting any habit is not a spur of the moment decision; it takes conscious planning and constant vigilance. It also takes a deep conviction that you are quitting for a good reason. That’s the only way you will find the strength to keep going. Stress is always a major contributing factor, so help and a support system are also important.

Good luck always!

What other bad/nervous habits can you think of that affect your skin? Let us know!

 

Sources:

  1. DY. Lee. Chronic Nail Biting and Irreversible Shortening of the Nails. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2009; 23(2): 185.
  2. P. Pacan et al. Onychophagia as a Spectrum of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Acta Dermato-Venereologica 2009; 89: 278-80.
  3. A. Reich et al. Stress and the Skin. Giornale Italiano de Dermatologia e Venereologia 2010; 145(2): 213-9.
  4. L. Misery. Psychogenic Pruritus. In Pruritus 2010; 2: 223-7.
  5. S. Davidson, GJ Giesler. The Multiple Pathways for Itch and their Interactions with Pain. Trends in Neuroscience 2010; 33(12): 550-8.
  6. A. Shai. Skin Moisture and Moisturizers. In Handbook of Cosmetic Skin Care 2009; 4: 24-33.
  7. DC Duke et al. Trichotillomania: A Current Review. Clinical Psychology Review 2010; 30(2): 181-93.

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