Horrifying photo shows the long-term damage caused by picking spots including severe discolouration and scarring
Skincare expert Renee Rouleau shared the shocking snap of a woman in her 40s whose skin has been left scarred and discoloured by years of picking
IT'S the cardinal skincare rule that we're all guilty of overlooking - but a horrifying image has revealed that picking your spots can cause long-term damage to your complexion.
Celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau has shared an image of an anonymous client in her 40s who picked her spots for years and now suffers from severe discolouration and scarring.
Sharing the image in a recent , Renee - who also owns her own skincare range - wrote: "Every expert will tell you that picking at your skin is a habit you should stop, yet most people don't necessarily see the harm in it."
In the post - titled The Long-Term Effects of Skin Picking - Renee said she can immediately tell whether someone has picked at their spots, regardless of whether they own up to it or not.
Describing this particular client, Renee added: "She first came to me with visible scabs on her forehead, cheeks and chin, along with deeply pigmented, spotty and uneven-looking skin.
"That combination made it obvious to me what had happened, and after a thorough consultation, my assumptions were correct."
Discussing why people pick at their skin, the expert said it could be down to a nervous habit or subconsciously feel as if you're treating your blemish to make it go away quicker.
For those in the latter category, Renee asked: "Do you want to have a spot that you have to cover up for only a week or two - or a few months?
"The answer is obvious, but now you must recite that in your head when the urge comes to pick."
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