Scalp and Hotspot 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 sebaceous cysts or "wens".

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 my 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 while 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 need 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 scalps 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 irritates 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 temporary
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 help 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 breaths. As a side benefit, the aloe vera gels
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 health water held into the hair.

- - - -

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 toxin 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 Retreats, I can work something out. I also would be willing to travel
within a couple of hundred 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)