TALULLAH'S SKIN DISORDER EXPLAINED

Talullah Willis bravely posted a pic this week of her blemished face after a bout of dermatillomania, a compulsion to pick, squeeze, scratch, or rub the skin.

The youngest daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore has linked her mental health problems, including this disorder, to punishing herself for “not looking like my mom” and feeling like an “ugly duckling misfit” as a teenager. Thankfully, she has overcome the triggers behind her conditions with the help of therapy and a dermatologist.

Skin-picking triggers also arise from simply being bored, fed up, or anxious. Compulsively attacking blemishes can induce an intense but false sense of stress relief and satisfaction in those affected by dermatillomania, which has much in common with OCD (obsessive compulsion disorder).

But abusing your skin in any way can cause injuries, infections, and scarring, leading to heightened stress and a reduced sense of well-being.

It’s a vicious circle to become trapped in, but there are ways out, starting with learning to love yourself. Your own, imperfect, unique self:

1 Your skin is easily damaged – treat it as your most precious possession, before your hair, nails, and clothes.

2 Identify the triggers behind the picking or squeezing your skin. Then dab the areas with healing tea tree oil or lemon oil instead of attacking them.

3 Avoid thick make-up and layering too many products on your skin – it blocks your pores, causing congestion that’s tempting to pick.

4 Keep your skin as clean as possible; picking and squeezing spreads bacteria. See this as your precious skin’s enemy. It is.

5 Hydrate and nourish your skin every day with an antioxidant supplement. MY|Clear Skin nutri-capsules maintain an even clarity and smooth texture you will love and cherish - instead of damaging.

MY|VISAGE skincare experts are available for free online consultations. Contact info@visageplus.ie - and improve your skin from within.