Plucking Leg Hair - trichotillomania?

[Nova]

I've sort of have an awful habit.

I've grown obsessed with plucking my leg hair using tweezers. When I first started, I didn't think much of it. I was just bored one day. The results did not turn out favorably, as the hairs were not used to being ripped out and it left my skin sort of red and spotty.

I stopped (kind of) for a bit and then considered buying an epilator, thinking it would help me break my addiction... FALSE.

I bought an epilator. And I love it... maybe a little too much. But truthfully, it doesn't even make my legs look good. I try exfoliating but I still get ingrown hairs, and therefore I still use my tweezers to pluck them out. It's AWFUL. My legs look a mess as I'm addicted to digging these hairs out from under the skin.

This can't be normal. And despite the fact it makes my legs look a mess, I can't stop. I can't stand that there are ingrowns. I cannot stand if there are spots I missed while epilating or shaving. Plus, I love the feeling of pulling the hair out from the root.

I've heard of trichotillomania and I've read a couple things online suggesting this may be a form of it, but I'm not sure. Anyone do anything similar or does anyone have trichotillomania / know someone who has it that could shed more light?

[Caro]

I do, but not only just on my legs. I can just sit on the floor for hours tweezing out ingrown hairs even if it requires digging in my skin with the tweezers, sometimes I even use a pin. I then get little red bumps all over. Oh and if I pinch an ingrown hair really hard I seem to be able to remove the whole hair follicle. It's addicting and I can't stop unless I tell myself to stop and hide the tweezers from myself.

[lovetakesoverr]

Hey Nova,
I have trich, and I've had it since the sixth grade.
From what I'm hearing, it could be a form of it. I pull my eyelashes, eyebrows, hair from my head.
I'm relapsing right now, but things I found helpful were a tangle: http://kidscopetoys.com/images/produ...tail/78600.jpg
Which is a stress toy, and it keeps your hand busy. There's a bunch of different ones that have textures, and different colors that appeal to the senses.

Also, I've heard psychotherapy helps, and they recommend that for people dealing with trich. Personally, my parents don't really support my trich, so I've been trying to find cures on my own.

http://yhst-96492593834123.stores.ya...fiandspri.html That's the trich store, where you can find nick-nacks to keep your hand busy.

I hope that helps! Keep strong, and you can get past this

[lovetakesoverr]

Originally Posted by Caro

Oh and if I pinch an ingrown hair really hard I seem to be able to remove the whole hair follicle.

I've found that addicting also, removing the whole follicle.

[Nova]

Thanks so much Haylen. Your links were really helpful. Those spinner rings I think are a great idea! Fashionable & Functional!

I'm going to *attempt* to hide my tweezers (or have my roommate do it for me, maybe) and then get the spinner ring... or even one for each hand. O.O

[lovetakesoverr]

You're welcome! and if you ever want to talk about it, PM me It's not an easy thing to do, but support is always good