Scalp care, by Mike Grant

Much of the informal research John and I have done shows there is a positive correlation between the so-called hot spots some pullers experience and areas of increased activity of the sebaceous glands. I have been able to demonstrate in the limited number of trials I have been able to do that reduction of the excess oil in these areas significantly reduces the intensity of the urge to pull from these areas. Overactivity of the sebaceous glands has been long demonstrated by established medical research as the primary factor in skin conditions such as seborrhea, acne and acne-like skin eruptions, not to mention the sebaceous cysts or "wens" John mentioned.

The underlying cause, at least initially, for this overactivity is likely systemic. The sebaceous glands respond to gonadotropic, thyroid, and other hormones present in the blood. Adolescents develop oily skin due to high levels of testosterone and estrogen. It is also possible the sebaceous glands may also trigger off the hormones and other substances in the food we eat, which may explain John's trigger food phenomenon. Aside from judicious dietary changes, dealing with the hot spots on a systemic level is best left to the medical professionals. Being a good state of overall health often lessens the incidence and severity of many disorders when they do occur. So it is good idea to do those things such as exercise, eating a healthy balanced diet, and seeing your doctor for checkups on a regular basis which maintain that state of overall wellness.

The basic regimen I recommend for those trouble by hot spots, scalp sores, and other related conditions such as excessive dandruff or flaking is as follows:

Step 1.

Objective: Remove any possible sources of allergies or irritation.

Action: Discontinue all regular shampoos, conditioners, etc.

Rationale: Many of these products contain fragrances and proteins which are potential sources of allergic reactions. Hair sprays and mousses can clog pores and follicles and prevent normal aeration of the scalp.

Step 2.

Objective: Cleanse the scalp to remove excess oils and skin debris which can plug the follicles.

Action: a) Saturate the hair and scalp with warm water gradually increasing the water temperature until as warm as tolerable.

Rationale: The warm water softens and liquefies the sebum which facilitates washing it away. Increasing the temperature of the skin dilates the pores and increases blood circulation which promotes flushing out of the follicles.

Action: b) Lather the hair with Cuticura soap by first applied a small amount of soap, massaging it into the hair, and adding more soap or water as needed to produce a thick lather. (It may be more convenient to grate the Cuticura bar by means of a cheese grater.)

Rationale: Cuticura soap contains an antiseptic and is anti-comedogenic. A lather help emulsify sebum to facilitate it being washed away. Grating the bar soap allows only that needed to have contact with the scalp preventing contamination of the bar.

Action: c) Rinse the hair thoroughly with the same very warm water as before to remove all traces of the soap.

Rationale: It is important to maintain the scalp at an elevated temperature to keep the sebum liquefied and to promote softening of skin cells at the scalp surface as they absorb water.

Action: d) Relather the hair as before working up a thick lather. Massage the lather into the scalp using pressure on the fingertips (never fingernails) for a minimum of five to ten minutes, adding water or soap as need to maintain the lather. For those who know the four massage movements, these movements may used for two to three minutes each.

Rationale: The mechanical action of massaging the scalp helps break up dried sebum and loosen shedding skin cells from the scalp's surface. Further, it aids in helping work sebum beneath the the skin to the surface where it can be removed. Massaging also promotes blood circulation to aid in removing toxins and irritations in the scalp tissue, supplying antibodies to combat any infection as well as nutrients and oxygen to support the follicles' hair producing cells. Massage can also stimulate the nerves of the scalp, making them less sensitive and likely to itch.

Action: e) Wrap the lathered head in a Turkish towel saturated with water as warm as tolerable. Replace the towel with another after 2 minutes. Allow last towel to remain until it feels tepid, but not cool, or around 3 to 5 minutes.

Rationale: This moist heat is aimed at further softening of surface skin cells and keeping the sebum beneath the skin the least viscous as possible to bring it to the surface of the scalp. The elevated temperature and high pH of the Cuticura forces water into hair and skin cells carrying with it the antiseptic contained in the soap.

Action: f) Rinse the remaining soap from the hair with warm, not hot water. After all of the soap has been removed, gradually reduce the rinse water temperature over a period of two minutes until it is as cool as can be comfortably tolerated. Allow the hair to remain wet.

Rationale: Reducing the water temperature closes off the pores and seals the moisture and antiseptic in the skin and hair cells, pores, and follicles. Cooling the skin reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands temporarily reducing new oil secretion. The sensitivity of nerve sensors in the skin is also reduced to aid in itch reduction. The hair and scalp are allow to remain wet to keep the hair and skin cells saturated with water.

Step 3.

Objective: Reduce the sensitivity of scalp nerves to promote itch control. Close the pores and dissolve any remaining sebum left behind. Reduce the scalp temperature, leaving an additional antiseptic residual.

Action: Generously apply Sea Breeze astringent to the scalp and massage in. Allow it to remain on scalp for a couple of minutes.

Rationale: Sea Breeze contains alcohol which is a solvent to dissolve any dried sebum which had not been washed away. Through evaporation, the alcohol reduces the scalp temperature. Sea Breeze contains phenol, a topical anesthetic, as well as camphor, a potent counterirritant and itch suppressant. Sea Breeze contains an astringent to further promote closing of the pores and follicles. Sea Breeze leaves an antiseptic residual behind after it dries.

Step 4.

Objective: Seal the moisture into the hair and scalp. Provide additional protection against irritation and itching.

Action: Apply a small amount of clear pure aloe vera gel onto the wet hair and work into scalp. Comb hair into place. Allow to dry naturally or with heatless drying setting.

Rationale: Removing the sebum strips the hair and scalp of its natural vapor barrier. Without a vapor barrier, the moisture in the hair and scalp would quickly evaporate causing the skin and hair to dry out and become brittle and irritated. The aloe vera gel seals in the moisture while the hair and scalp are still saturated. The gel is non-greasy, hypo-allergenic, and does not promote comedos like natural sebum. It is not subject to bacterial attack as well. Aloe vera is naturally soothing to the skin and also helps prevent itching.

The aloe vera gel will appear to leave the hair stiff. This is not a problem. The stiffness completely disappears by simply running a comb through the hair. The aloe vera gel leaves no visible residual and coats the hair and scalp with a protective clear film that breathes. As a side benefit, the aloe vera gel acts like a styling gel keeping the hair in place eliminating the need for hairsprays and mousse. Allowing the gel to dry on the wet hair without combing after it dries leaves the hair with a wet mousse-like look. Unlike mousse that gets that appearance with comedogenic oils and lacquers, the wet look of aloe vera comes from the actual healthy water held into the hair.

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So this is the basic protocol. The products needed are Cuticura soap, Sea Breeze astringent, and pure clear aloe vera gel. If you have a problem locating these in your area, send me an email. I never sell anything but have been known to send these things out without charge from time to time. If it is for a child or young adult, I always send out a kit upon request.

There are modifications and enhancements for special circumstances. When the hair loss is severe and/or the person is shaving, a bentonite slurry clay masque substantially reduces even more oil as well as extracting excess fluids and toxins from the scalp. There are both prescription and over the counter topical medications that can be used to spot treat sores and particularly inflamed areas.

I am always looking for an opportunity to demonstrate this and other techniques. I have wanted to do some training-a-trainer things, but have never been able to put something together. Perhaps if there is any interest at the Retreat, I can work something out. I also would be willing to travel within a couple of hundred mile radius of the St. Louis area if that would work out for anyone. If several people who were willing to be trainers could get together in one place, I would be willing to consider traveling a greater distance, particularly if any of these people were POPs.

Take care.

Mike (TTMParents@aol.com)