Hair products Pam found helpful
1) Does it Work?
2) Types of Itches I Identified for myself.
3) Dandruff Shampoo - once a week
4) Mane & Tail Shampoo - rest of time
5) Mane & Tail Conditioner - every day
6) Neosporin Creme with Pain Reliever - as needed
7) Mud Mask - maybe once a month or les
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On Does it Work? And does the Mane & Tail Work?
NO! My Trich has NOT dissapeared from using these products!!! That is
not what I use them for. I use them to reduce 'extra' itching, that can
draw my attention back to my hair. The less attention on my hair, the
better.
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Types of Itches I Identified for Myself.
1) Regular Dandruff Itch - all over
2) Trich Spot Binge Itch - for one small spot on head (if I look at in
the mirror, sometimes it will be red and inflammed). This itch usually
comes with the urge to pull in that one spot, and the hair seems to come
out easier.
3) Aftermath of Trich Spot Binge Itch - if I did pull, a few days the
skin will be irritated, extra flaky, and seems to have hard time
"healing over" and going back to normal skin texture. Which can draw me
to pull in the spot next to it.
4) Overall Scalp Tingly Itch - all over but the itches are super-sharp -
almost like someone is sticking my head with needles. This usually
leads to random pulling all over my scalp.
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Dandruff Shampoo
I use Generic Jewel Brand Dandruff Shampoo 1-3 times a week. Once a
week, I close my eyes real tight, and wash my face with the lather,
leaving it on for a full minute before rinsing off.
Before I started using the Mane & Tail Conditioner, the Dandruff Shampoo
only slightly helped my dandruff.
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Mane & Tail Shampoo
White Bottle, Orange/Yellow Sunset Colors, Navy-blue graphics, Silhoutee
of Running Horses.
I live in the Chicago Suburbs, and I found it at my local Jewel Grocery
Store.
The rest of the time I use this one, or Vidal Sassoon - or any other one
I like.
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Mane & Tail Conditioner
White Bottle, Orange/Yellow Sunset Colors, Navy-blue graphics, Silhoutee
of Running Horses.
I live in the Chicago Suburbs, and I found it at my local Jewel Grocery
Store.
This is the one that has made a HUGE difference for me! It seems to
also have helped my dandruff.
When using it in the shower, I take care to rub in into my scalp really
good, using the balls of my fingers. Also, I have stopped feeling the
need to 'scratch' with my nails while washing my hair. I always knew
the nails were bad for your scalp - but would itch even when in the
shower and it drove me crazy.
I also carry a tiny bottle in my purse, and use it to make hair slippery
as a Barrier Method.
I also put a little extra on when I am having the "Aftermath of a Trich
Spot Binge Itch", and rub it in really good. It seems to help the skin
heal-over.
Also using the Mane & Tail Conditioner makes my hair very soft - since
working on the awareness of my pulling I have really enjoyed playing
with my hair again becaue of how good it feels (instead of pulling it).
So, since looking for the coarse ones was my biggest trigger, the better
most of my hair feels has helped me.
(Although, that could be a BIG danger zone for some people - a lot of
people playing with their hair would make thier triggers worse. )
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Neosporin Pain Reliever in a CREAM
- NOT the one that comes out like Vaseline.
I use this when I feel the "Trich Spot Binge Itch" - when the Itch is in
that "Quarter Size" area in one place.
That is when I noticed (without actually pulling) that the area was
sometimes already inllammed and red (but not all the time). So I know
the puling didn't cause the skin reaction!
It has helped me a lot for that kind of itch. Probably because the
numbing action lasts for a long time - and this cream does not cause
itching - and the anti-bacterial affect combats any infection from
in-grown hairs, etc.
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Mud Mask
WHOLE Head - Overall Scalp Tingly Itch
- I HATE that one. Hard to quantify what helps or not. I was having
problems with it last week. Whether it is really a Trich Itch or Skin
Irritation - that one usually leads to pulling for me. Never logged
pulling and itches - don't know if pulling irritates the skin and causes
that itch - sometimes if I am looking for coarse hairs or short stubby
hairs - I pull in more of an 'all over' the scalp method.
And I had some of that type of puling before i had the itching last
week.
I used the Mud Mask yesterday - and it is calmed down immensely. The top
of my head still feels sensitive but not actually itching.
Don't really know if I only use it after pulling session and therefore
after a few days the itch calms down anyway) -- or -- if it is actually
helping calm the itch down. Very hard to prove what helps and what
doesn't when I am trying more than one thing at the same time.
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Details On Mud Mask:
I originally bought it for my face - either at Jewel (Grocery store) or
at WalMart. Most stores with a Acne products or Face Care section will
have some version of it there.
Mine is specifically:
Brand Queen Helen
Product Name: Mint Julep Masque
For: Helps Dry Up Acne Pimples & Shrink Large Pores
I think any product that is clay-like, and meant for the face will do
just as find as any other.
It isn't hard to get out - but I do have to shampoo my hair 2 or 3
times. And i really use the balls of my fingers (not nails) to scrub my
scalp. The longer I leave it in - the longer it takes to get out.
I have hair that is about Waist Length. So that is why it is a Project
to put in. If I do my Entire Scalp (which most times I do not), I have
to start at the back of the head, and work my way outwards. I have to
keep parting my hair, and putting the clay in the parts. It dries really
fast - so as I keep going, I have to keep combing my hair so I can get
to the next spot - and of course the mask also gets in the hair you are
trying to comb and dries, so then I can't comb that part.
I definately had to figure out a technique to accomplish just getting it
on.
So, I am 'trying' to get it on my scalp and not my hair - but a lot gets
on my hair anyway. Doesn't hurt my hair.
I have to peek around the shower into the mirror to see where I still
have green - and then wash that part again.
After washing the mask away - my hair does feel dry (while still in the
shower). I always make sure I use my Mane & Tail Condtioner right after
-- and rub it back into my scalp and hair. I have not experienced any
permanent dryness to my hair from doing this.
If it is a day where I am goign to be cleaning house all day, sometimes
I put it in and leave it in for HOURS before wasking it out. So then it
kind of acts like a barrier method. I don't have any urges when I do
this.
Pam