Yes, I never thought of it as going into a trance, but it sort of is sometimes, isn’ it?
I started something new this morning. I was in Walmart yesterday and I decided to walk down the aisle that has razors and whatnot. I really don’t know what I was looking for but, then I came to the shaving gel section. I found Gillette for Women Satin Care-Skin Soothing Fragrance Free. It has Shea Butter and Vitamin E and on the back it says that those are to soothe and nourish you skin. It’s in a white/silver can with turquoise accents and was like $2.20. When I saw that, something came over me. I was actualy excited about shaving instead of plucking. So, once I had my gel in hand it was off to find a new razor. I went with the Venus Embrace. It was $10 but came with 2 extra blades. The refils are a bit pricey at $13 but, if it stops me from plucking, then it’s worth it. I then went to the lotion aisle and found an inexpensive body butter from Equate. Right know, my legs feel so soft! When I got out of the shower and dried my legs off, I dried them by raiseing them up onto the shower edge and dried them with a fluffy towel. I got a really close shave and there were only two places that I didn’t get to. There were about 6 hairs in each of those spots and instead of reaching for the tweezers (as I normanly would do), I grabbed my razor. I hope this works. I know it’s just because I have new stuff but, maybe I’ll get into a routine of shaving. That would be great!
Hi everyone! I just joined this forum after finding this thread, I know it started so long ago so I don’t know if anyone is still reading this, but anyways I pretty much have the same problem as all of you, I like to pluck my leg hairs between the ankle and knee as well as my armpit hairs. I actually spend hours doing it - I should have been working on an essay today but instead I’ve been plucking my leg hairs, which has led me to seek help now. It all started when I first started waxing my leg hairs, and I would accidentally miss some patches and just pluck them out. Somehow from there I became really obsessive about it and have been plucking ever since. I have managed to stop for a month or so at a time to let my hairs grow properly so that I could wax them, but then as soon as I did the plucking would start all over again.
My problem is slightly more complicated in that I’m also really scared of knives and blades and sharp edges and things like that, so I have never used a razor in my life. I’m scared to use it now because I’m afraid my hairs will grow out thicker, and I have been plucking my hairs since high school (I am currently in fourth year university). I need to stop though because it is terribly hurting my back to bend over and pull out hairs. I’ve also tried seeking support by telling my mother about my problem, but I am from a traditionally Chinese family and they don’t believe in mental disorders. The only advice I got from her was, “If you know it’s wrong, why don’t you stop?” and something about how I clearly want to ruin my life.
I’m not too concerned with the discolouration because my skin is fairly dark so it’s not as obvious, but I was wondering if any of the lotions help to curb the urge to pluck? Or are there any other options not involving a razor that are cheaper than electrolysis?
This is an OCD issue. There are some support groups you can look for in your area.
Shaving doesn’t do anything to the structure of the hair. It’s an old-wives tale. Plucking is actually the method that can cause discoloration as you’ve experienced and hair getting stronger and more coarse.
You can consider using a depilatory cream instead of shaving. Waxing is really the only other temporary option. In terms of permanent methods, laser is best for this large area with somewhat coarse hair. If you can save up some money, you can treat your lower legs at around $250-300 per treatment. You’ll see a big improvement after 3-4 treatments already. And the treatments need to be spaced 3-4 months apart, so you have time to save in between.
i have this same problem…i started when i was about 12 and am now 26. i really want to stop, i have the scarring on my legs and have not worn shorts or dresses since i was in middle school. my boyfriend does not know. he knows i feel self conscious about my legs…he says its not as bad as i think.but i would really love to wear sundresses and cute shoes like other girls. my skin is really pale and my legs are covered with red and brown spots…i know if just stop that maybe they will go away. i have not told any doctors because i am afraid they will think i am crazy. lately i have found every time i think of plucking i rub lotion on my legs it is helping. i am using a lotion called skin milk that i found @ walmart. i makes me feel better to know that other people are going through this too.
From what it sounds like, most of us started plucking when we were all about the same age. I was about 12 or 13. I am now 23 and wish I had never started. It all began when I read an article somewhere about plucking eyebrows. It said something to the affect of (all though I could have been reading it wrong) if you pluck your eyelashes enough, they won’t grow back. I thought this would be great for my legs b/c I hated shaving them. Well, we all know that plucking does not stop growth.
Anyway, I really feel like I am making progress. I am still shaving about every other day and I have found a new cream. It’s called Palmer’s Skin Sucess Eventone Fade Cream. It’s in a little 2.7 oz jar and I got it at CVS for around $6. It’s supposed to gradualy fade dark pigment and has vitamins C and E. I put it on before bed and after my shower in the morning. I’ve used it for two weeks now and I’m inpressed. It has helped with the dark circles. I still have the red ones but they too aren’t as bad.
I just really have to shave all of the hair otherwise it is just too temtping and I really don’t want to mess this up.
You’re not crazy. There are entire hospitals dedicated to this condition, which is a form of OCD. Definitely don’t be afraid to talk to an OCD specialist about this. Some people do require outside help to help them stop.
As I’m typing this I’m looking down at a set of gross, spotchy, red bumpy legs. I’ve been plucking the hairs on my legs for about 2 years now. I don’t even remember when it first began. It gives my something to do when I’m bored, or watching tv. And it calms me and relaxes me. I can spend hours plucking.
I thought that I was all alone in this and I’m so glad I found this forum. I had no idea that this was considered an OCD.
My legs are disgusting to look at and I hate it when summer comes. I feel like that when I wear shorts, all you can see are my gross legs. I’m only 20 years old, a time when you should be out there in the world showing yourself off, and all I want to do is hide my legs away.
I’ve been on depression medication for the past 4 1/2 years now and it continues to be a battle. I also deal with anxiety.
I really need to stop doing this but it seems too hard. I know that if I just stop my legs will get to looking a little better. But each time I stop for a day, I pick up the tweezers the next day, eager to get back to those hairs. I need help and I don’t know where to start
Start with the doctor prescribing your anti-depressants. You may need a different dosage, a different prescription, or a different plan of action, i.e. counseling, etc.
First, talk to your doctor. The medication you’re taking may be having an adverse effect.
For this particular condition, you can look for OCD specialists and clinics in your area online.
Hi blackbird.
Learn about this. We all have OCD in some form or another, I do believe. You certainly aren’t alone. Here’s a nice start for you to become involved with your problem. Learn all you can about this. I know you are not looking to become a therapist,at least not at this point, but there is some information here and beyond this site that could be helpful and might get you interested.
Try this: http://www.trich.org/about_trich/
Here’s the full website:
http://www.trich.org/index.asp
Another approach:
http://dailystrength.org/c/Trichotillomania-Hair-Pulling/advice/2574221-can-t-stop-tweezing-bikini
Discussion board in the UK:
http://lilboh-nfl.dnsalias.com/trich/modules.php?name=Forums
I came across this topic on a web search…leg hair plucking. I have been doing that for about seven years now and before that I obsessed over plucking my brows and eye lashes until I had none. When I was browless and lashless (they have since grown back) I thought it would be best to instead pluck my legs as I would shave the hair off their anyway so that began a new obsession…and for the most part ended the other.
I know its not just an obsession but more like an addiction and I equate it to those women who cut themselves. For that moment of ‘plucking’ or cutting you are doing harm to yourself and you know it but there is a sense of satisfaction in it.
My legs like everyone else who does it are red and bumby and I tell people its bug bites. I keep saying I wont do it but I keep doing it. I try to figure out what it is I am replacing in my life by doing this and I don’t know what it is. I remember in high school I was plucking my lashes and brows…it got worse until like I wrote a few years ago I had nothing on my face and looked like weird.
I cannot shave because I cut my legs due to all the bumps from plucking.
I know everyone does something bad in their lives to themselves. Some smoke or do drugs or drink a lot - I pluck the hairs off my legs as though I were mowing a lawn. I guess we all have our sicknesses. Meanwhile in the summer I use derma blend on my lower legs to cover the bumps.
Wish I could stop but then I don’t want to.
Kazze, your story sounds exactly like mine, except I got over the leg hair plucking obsession, and have moved to my face. I’m now into pulling at my eyebrows to get the hairs out. Also, I pull hairs out of my arms that were about to fall out. This is starting to take over my life again!! I guess it’s better than plucking and doing damage to my skin…
I am really not looking forward to summer, I thought the red dots on my legs would have dissapeared during winter/spring, but they are as apparent as ever 
What is that makeup that you use on your legs? I need to look into investing in cover up for my legs soon.
One more question-I have these 3 little scabs where a hair follicle should be, and they haven’t healed in 2 months. They are tiny scabs, but I’m afraid I’ve done some real damage…has anyone else experienced that?
I almost forgot to mention that I also used to be obsessed with scraping dandruff off my scalp and then peeling off the scabs. My head was a bloody mess, and I avoided getting a hair cut because I was so embaressed. Maybe I need to get medicated, now that I think back on my behaviors I seem less and less sane. Anyone have thoughts on the matter of prescription drugs?
Happy Mothers day to all the mothers out there!
Actually, this type of behavior is frequently a product of lack of Essential Fatty Acid intake. It effects the brain and can cause OCD’s. either get a coffe grinder and grind your own flax seeds and have an 1/8 to a 1/4 cup a day (either by itself, or mixed into your food) or get a product like Don Lemmon’s Perfect EFA Oil, or Udo’s Oil.
One should also make sure that one is getting at least 20 mgs of fiber every day. I like oatmeal and oat bran for this purpose, as one can get the full day’s amount in one sitting.
With all the no fat hysteria going on out there, many women are avoiding oils at all costs, and becoming unhealthy because of it. Many vitamins and minerals are fat soluable only, and without good fats in your diet, one simply can’t be healthy. Furthermore, the brain itself requires both fat and sugars to work properly. Sooooo, if one were eating only artificial sweeteners, and only hydrogenated fats, or no fats at all, one would become VERY unhealthy indeed, and would also have hormonal problems on top of that.
Hi all, I searched about this topic to see if anyone else plucked the hair on their legs because I mentioned it to my friend and she thought it sounded crazy. I started plucking my eyebrows years ago and then it just seemed I couldn’t get enough…so I started bugging my husband to let me pluck his eyebrows. I then started asking him could I pluck some stray hairs on his back. He didn’t have quiet enough of them so don’t ask me how I did it but he started let me pluck his chest hair. That didn’t last long and it wasn’t that satisfying because I couldn’t feel it. So one day while we were taking a long trip I started plucking my hair legs and I just loved it. I actually will pluck slowly so I can watch the hairs come out. I am really confused why I get ingrown hairs…if you are plucking it all out then why have that problem. I do however love to dig them out. I try not to because I hate scars and my husband has commented on it. I can do it for hours until my neck hurts. I am happy that I am not the only one.
You get ingrown hairs because the hairs have what is called an anchor system, and the hair is more likely to break than to come out whole. When the hair breaks, the hair that remains is left to continue to grow in the follicle, but it has been moved from its normal pathway, and no longer has its sharp point to dig its way up through the skin. This can cause the hair to grow under the skin, as it is trapped beneath the surface, causing irritation and the immune system sends puss to try to expel the now foreign object that is now in a place it should not be, or the dead biomass that is just sitting in the follicle waiting to be shed.
Hello 
Wow I have this too I didn’t realise other people did this!
I have marks all over my legs at this minute. I absolutely love plucking them, but then feel disgusting when I’m all marked. Mine is a stress thing or if I feel down I reach for the tweezers!
What works for me sometimes though, is I ask my partner to hide my tweezers! Its really the only way I stop.
I realise this is difficult for people who need to pluck everyday. Like hairs on your chin for example, which I do get the odd few of them too and on my belly which I wax when I can, if I’ve managed to refrain from pluckng it to death that is.
I have been bad lately though and my legs aren’t looking too good so it looks like I will have to have my tweezers hidden! I wish I could just bin them altogether but I do need to pluck my chin and eyebrows quite often grrrr
Why not electrolysis on your chin and brows? If the hair isn’t there, you can’t pluck it.
I used to overpluck my eyebrows - partly the reason I got electrolysis on them. Don’t do it anymore! Now I just have to stop touching my skin - I think I replaced the addiction with skin picking
I was actually talking to my roommate the other day as she was heating up some leg wax, and we were talking about all the ways that we have tried to get rid of our leg hairs and turns out she went through a plucking phase too! She’s gotten over it through waxing and she said that her mom waxed all the time when she was younger and now she doesn’t grow hair anymore. This is something I’ve heard a few times now, and I was wondering why is it that when you wax, you don’t get the discolouration on your legs and your hairs grow out thinner, but when you pluck, it just gets worse and worse? Isn’t plucking technically just like waxing hair really really slowly?
Waxing doesn’t do anything to the hair. Everyone usually loses leg hair with age. Waxing has nothing to do with it.
Yes, plucking and waxing do the same exact thing. Neither makes the hair stop growing. It’s other factors if that happens.