Abstract:
An apparatus and related method provide an effective treatment of skin itch and skin rash, primarily for the scalp. The apparatus may be utilized on the scalp of an individual applied between rows of tightly braided hair. The apparatus may apply a therapeutic treatment such as a moisturizing treatment directly to the scalp while being used to relieve the scalp of the itch.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 62/163,499 filed 19 May 2015 entitled “Scalp treatment tool,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The technology disclosed herein is related to systems and methods for treating skin, particularly the scalp, with a therapeutic scalp treatment and a mechanical treatment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Individuals style their hair in different ways, sometimes using artificial hair, hair attachments, extensions, weaves, and wigs. The usage of these hair accessories creates various issues and problems for the user&#39;s scalps. The various issues and problems may include scalps that are itchy and dry. The scalp may become irritated which causes hair to break off. Sometimes the hair braided to the scalp is tight and it is difficult for oils and moisturizers to reach the scalp under the braid. Further, dandruff and psoriasis can be difficult to treat under such artificial hair products. 
         [0004]    Hair weaves and hair extensions are done by braiding the wearer&#39;s natural hair flat to the head and sewing artificial hair to the braids. This is done for thickness, length, and to wear a different texture of hair. Because the hair is braided and the hair extension is sewn on, it is hard to scratch, massage, or apply treatment directly to the scalp. Various hairstyles may make it difficult for the person with that hairstyle to reach the scalp. 
         [0005]    There are multiple reasons why a user with such an arrangement of hair might want to manipulate their scalp. For example, the scalp might get itchy or irritated. Alternatively, there might be dandruff or residue that the user would like to dislodge. To address such problems, the user might want to rub or otherwise stimulate points on the scalp, either to relieve itch and irritation or to help dislodge dandruff or residue. Alternatively, the user might want to apply a chemical treatment, such as a cleaning agent, a moisturizer, a medical treatment, or cosmetic treatment to the scalp to help care for it. Whether due to artificial hair, such as a hair weave, extension, or wig, or due to a natural hairstyle, the hair may create a barrier on or around the scalp that is difficult to penetrate. 
         [0006]    Thus, those individuals with hair which blocks access to their scalps would like to be able to manipulate their scalps so as to be able to relieve and address these problems. Furthermore, the individuals would like to be able to manipulate their scalps without disrupting a natural hairstyle or artificial weaves or wigs. Still further, the individuals would like to apply chemical or other treatments to the scalp directly and at the same time as physically manipulating the scalp by scratching or the like. 
         [0007]    Individuals can use elongated implements, such as a pick, pen, or pencil to attempt to reach and manipulate their scalps. However, these implements may cause damage to the scalp and fail to provide therapeutic treatment. For example, a pen would potentially mark the scalp with ink and the graphite “lead” of a pencil could potentially break off and lodge within the skin of a user&#39; scalp. Current technology is not well adapted to care for a user&#39;s scalp in the above scenarios because current approaches are not adapted to help the user reach areas on their scalp and apply a treatment without disturbing the user&#39;s natural or artificial hairstyle. 
         [0008]    The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of the invention as defined in the claims is to be bound. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In accordance with various embodiments, a therapeutic skin system for treating skin ailments may include a body having an exterior wall suitable to be held in a user&#39;s hand and defining an interior cavity. The system may further include a treatment operable to provide a therapeutic benefit to skin. The treatment may be located within the cavity. A flow control may be operable to contain the treatment within the cavity and release the treatment through an outlet in response to actuation. The flow control may be located to receive the treatment from the cavity and control the passage of the treatment to the outlet. The system may further have an applicator end having a tip proximal to an outlet with the tip forming a point sized to fit between the part or rows of hair and suitably large to provide itch relief without cutting the skin. The applicator end may include a passage that is in fluid communication with the flow control. In accordance with various embodiments, the treatment may include at least one of a medication, lotion, oil, or cleanser. 
         [0010]    The second end may include a second tip forming a point sized to fit between the part or rows of hair and suitably large to provide itch relief without cutting the skin. The body may include a second end having a filling aperture open to the cavity operable to fill the cavity with the treatment. The filling aperture may receive a removable cap operable to retain the treatment in the cavity on the second end. The removable cap may include a second tip forming a point sized to fit between the part or rows of hair and suitably large to provide itch relief without cutting the skin. The second tip may help push oils, moisturizers, and medicaments reach under artificial hair attachments, for example, to provide treatments for dandruff and psoriasis. This tool can be an applicator for treatment. The flow control may be located proximal to the first end. The applicator end may include a passage that extends from the cavity to the tip. The flow control may include a ball located in a socket within the tip. The ball may be operable to rotate freely within the socket allowing treatment to escape around the ball as it rotates. The ball may provide a rounded profile to the tip. 
         [0011]    In accordance with various embodiments, the flow control may include a valve located between the applicator end and the body that is operable to restrict the flow of treatment from the cavity to the outlet. The valve may include a rotatable collar that is movable from a first position to a second position. The first position may be aligned with the passage in the applicator end allowing flow of treatment from the cavity to the outlet and the second position may be misaligned with the passage in the applicator end thereby limiting the flow of treatment from the cavity to the outlet. The passage through the rotatable collar and an entry to the passage through the applicator end may be offset from a center axis about which the rotatable collar rotates. Alternatively or additionally, the applicator end may be threaded onto the body and the flow control, which may include an obstruction that is positioned to engage the passage in response to the applicator end being threaded towards the body. Alternatively or additionally, the flow control may include a ball and spring located in a cavity within the tip. The ball may be forced against the outlet by the spring such that pressure on the ball opens the outlet, allowing treatment to flow out of the outlet. 
         [0012]    In accordance with various embodiments, the system may further have a second flow control device which modifies the flow out of the outlet. The first and second flow control devices may include any combination of the devices discussed above. For example, the second flow control may include a ball located in a socket within the tip, the ball operable to rotate freely within the socket allowing treatment to escape around the ball as it rotates. The first flow control may include the collar discussed above. 
         [0013]    In accordance with various embodiments, the system may further have a reservoir formed within the interior cavity of the body to hold the treatment and in fluid communication with the outlet and the treatment being located within the reservoir. 
         [0014]    In accordance with various embodiments, a therapeutic method for treating a skin ailment may comprise a method including obtaining a treatment device. The treatment device may include a body having an exterior wall suitable to be held in a user&#39;s hand and defining an interior cavity. The treatment device may also include a treatment operable to provide a therapeutic benefit to skin, the treatment located within the cavity. The treatment device may also include a flow control operable to contain the treatment within the cavity and release the treatment from the cavity through an outlet in response to actuation of the flow control. The treatment device may also include an applicator end having a tip proximal to the outlet with the tip forming a point sized to fit between the part or rows of hair and suitably large to provide itch relief without cutting the skin. The body may be in communication with the outlet on the first end. The tip may be applied to the scalp. The treatment may be released to the scalp through the outlet. The ailment may be relieved by massaging an area occupied by the ailment with the tip of the treatment tool and the treatment. 
         [0015]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A more extensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention as defined in the claims is provided in the following written description of various embodiments of the invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic isometric view of a skin treatment tool in accordance with various embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic exploded isometric view of the skin treatment tool in accordance with various embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a schematic side elevation view in cross-section of a skin treatment tool taken along line A-A shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a schematic side elevation view in cross-section view of a skin treatment tool taken along line A-A shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with another embodiment (denoted as A′-A′ to distinguish over the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A ). 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a schematic side elevation view of an enlarged fragment in cross-section of a skin treatment tool taken along line B-B as shown in  FIG. 3A  in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an enlarged, schematic, top plan view in cross-section of the skin treatment tool taken along line C-C shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a schematic side elevation view of an enlarged fragment in cross-section of a skin treatment tool taken along line B-B shown in  FIG. 3A  in accordance with another embodiment (denoted as B′-B′ to distinguish over the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A ). 
           [0023]      FIG. 5B  illustrates an enlarged, schematic, top plan view in cross-section of the skin treatment tool taken along line D-D shown in  FIG. 5A  in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5BC  illustrates an enlarged, schematic, side elevation view in cross-section of the skin treatment tool taken along line E-E shown in  FIG. 5B  in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  illustrates an enlarged, schematic, side elevation view in cross-section of a skin treatment tool taken along lines B-B as shown in  FIG. 3A  in accordance with one embodiment (denoted as B″-B″ to distinguish over the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A ). 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Multiple embodiments of skin treatment tools that include both mechanical treatment and therapeutic treatment characteristics are disclosed herein. The disclosed tool can provide relief to the skin and, more particularly, the scalp by applying a therapeutic treatment such as a moisturizer while also applying physical relief in the form of scratching. The therapeutic treatment may be contained within the tool and delivered via an outlet which also doubles as a scratching tool that is able to reach the scalp directly by fitting within the hair style such as braids, weaves, extensions or the like. 
         [0027]    In accordance with various embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a schematic isometric view of a skin treatment tool  100 , the skin treatment tool  100  may include a body  110 , an applicator  120  at an applicator end  119 , a cap  130  at a filling end  117 , and a therapeutic treatment  180 . The body  110  may be defined by an exterior wall  112 . The body  110  may be cylindrical with a central axis X. The central axis X may define the center of the body  110 , the cap  130 , and the applicator  120 . This cylindrical shape may extend to the filling aperture  118  and the aperture  113  causing them to be cylindrical as well. In other embodiments, the exterior wall  112  may be symmetric, non-symmetric, or any other shape. The exterior wall  112  may be shaped such that it is operable to be held in a user&#39;s hand. The body  110  may be sized such that the skin treatment tool  100  may be carried in a handbag or purse. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , the exterior wall  112  may define an interior cavity  160 . The body  110  may contain the therapeutic treatment  180  within the interior cavity  160 . The therapeutic treatment  180  may be released through the applicator  120 . The skin treatment tool  100  may additionally include one or more types of manually operated flow controls  140 . The manually operated flow control  140  may limit the release of the therapeutic treatment  180  through the applicator  120 . In some embodiments, an automatic flow control  150  may be employed in combination with the manually operated flow control  140 . The exterior wall  112  may be shaped such that the cavity  160  defined thereby is suitably sized to contain at least a single therapeutic amount of the treatment. The cavity  160  may be sized to contain more than a single therapeutic amount of the therapeutic treatment  180  such that multiple applications of the therapeutic treatment  180  may be applied to a skin surface. 
         [0029]    The applicator end  119  may be on an opposite end of the body  110  from the filling end  117 . The applicator  120  may mate with at least one of the manually operated flow control  140  or the applicator end  119 . The applicator end  119  may include an aperture  113  to receive the applicator  120  and which allows the treatment to flow to the applicator  120 . Alternatively, the aperture  113  may allow for the insertion of a separate reservoir  161  within the interior cavity to extend therethrough and engage and feed the therapeutic treatment  180  to the applicator  120 . The filling end  117  may mate with the cap  130 . On the other end of body  110 , the filling end  117  may include a filling aperture  118 . The filling aperture  118  may be operable to allow the therapeutic treatment  180  through to fill the cavity  160 . Alternatively, the filling aperture  118  may allow for the insertion of a separate reservoir  161  within the interior cavity to extend therethrough. 
         [0030]    As noted, in various embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the cavity  160  may contain a reservoir  161 . The reservoir  161  may be a secondary container for the therapeutic treatment  180  that fits within the cavity  160 . The reservoir  161  may be a reloadable and/or removable cartridge containing the therapeutic treatment  180 . In some implementations, the reservoir  161  may be disposable. The reservoir  161  may be a barrier operable to separate the treatment from the exterior wall  112 . The therapeutic treatment  180  may be contained within the reservoir  161  and may be fluidly connected with one or more of the manually operated flow control  140 , the applicator  120 , and the automatic flow control  150 . 
         [0031]    The applicator  120  may be defined by an exterior surface  152 . The exterior surface  152  may taper to a therapeutic tip  156 . The taper of the exterior surface  152  may decrease the diameter of the applicator  120  until the therapeutic tip  156  may be sized to fit between the follicles, part or rows of hair. Additionally or alternatively, the therapeutic tip  156  may be suitably large to provide itch relief without cutting the skin. The therapeutic tip  156  may be solid with a rounded end operable to massage the skin without breaking it. The rounded end may be sufficiently small to provide itch relief. The end  120  and particularly the therapeutic tip  156  may provide mechanical relief along with an outlet to dispense the therapeutic treatment  180  to the affected skin. 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the applicator  120  may include an engagement end  154  that is operable to engage the aperture  113  at the filling end  117 . The engagement may be any fit operable to prevent or limit the therapeutic treatment  180  from flowing out of the aperture  113 . In one example, this engagement may be a threadable engagement. In other embodiments, the engagement may be a press fit or a snap fit. Adhesive or welding, e.g., and ultrasonic weld, may be used to create a fluid-tight connection. In other embodiments, a sealing structure, e.g., an O-ring, may be used between the engagement end  154  and the aperture  113  of the filling end  117  or the flow control  140  to provide a fluid-tight seal. The applicator  120  may include an opening  158   a  proximal to the engagement end  154 . The opening  158   a  may open into a passage  158   b.  The passage  158   b  may extend longitudinally though the applicator  120  exiting from the applicator  120  at an outlet  158   c.  The outlet  158   c  may be proximal to the therapeutic tip  156 . In various embodiments, the opening, passage, and outlet  158   a/b/c  may be in direct fluid communication with the therapeutic treatment  180  housed within the cavity  160  or the reservoir  161 . In other embodiments, the opening, passage, and outlet  158   a/b/c  may be in indirect fluid communication with the therapeutic treatment  180  housed within the cavity  160  or the reservoir  161 , being separated by one or more flow controls. 
         [0033]    In accordance with various embodiments, a skin treatment tool may include a therapeutic skin treatment  180 . The therapeutic treatment  180  may include any substance that provides a therapeutic benefit topically applied to skin or, more particularly, the scalp. The therapeutic treatment  180  may include cleansers, oils, lotions, toners, medication or other therapeutic products. For example, the treatment may be a skin moisturizer such as coconut oil or a medication such as witch hazel. Utilizing the treatment tool, the therapeutic treatment may be applied directly to the scalp while also applying mechanical treatment (e.g., itch relief). In another embodiment, the therapeutic treatment  180  may be cosmetic in nature. For example, the treatment may be a type of makeup such as foundation. In this regard, the treatment tool may be utilized at the hair line to blend the foundation on the face with the difficult to reach skin obstructed by hair at the hair line. In accordance with various embodiments, the treatment may also be any other topical skin treatment products which may be beneficial to a user on any area of the skin but particularly as applied to the scalp. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 3   b,  the cap  130  may be defined by an exterior wall  132 . The cap  130  may be a solid element as shown or hollow and tubularly formed. The cap  130  may have an engagement end  136  operable to engage the filling end  117 . In one example, the engagement end  136  may engage with the filling aperture  118 . The engagement may be any fit operable to contain the therapeutic treatment  180  within the cavity  160 . In this way the cap  130  may be operable as a cap that is removable for filling or refilling the cavity  160  with the therapeutic treatment  180 . A sealing structure, for example, an O-ring, may be positioned between the engagement end and an inside surface of the exterior wall  112  defining the filling aperture  118  In one example, the engagement between the engagement end  136  and the filling aperture  118  may be a threaded engagement. In other embodiments, the engagement may be a press fit or a snap fit. In the example of  FIG. 3B , the engagement end  136  may be a protrusion from the exterior wall  132  that is sized and shaped to engage the filling aperture  118 . The engagement end  136  may be smaller in diameter than the largest portion of the exterior wall  132 . The engagement end  136  may have threads which thread into opposing threads within the filling aperture  118 . The cap  130  may also include an engagement surface  138  which mates with the filling end  117  of the body  110 . 
         [0035]    In accordance with various embodiments, the cap  130  may be operable as a second therapeutic mechanical device. For example, the exterior wall  132  may taper to a therapeutic tip  134 . The therapeutic tip  134  may be sized to fit between the follicles, part or rows of hair. Additionally or alternatively, the therapeutic tip  134  may be suitably large to provide itch relief without cutting the skin. The therapeutic tip  134  may be solid with a rounded end operable to massage the skin without breaking it. The rounded end may be sufficiently small to provide itch relief. The cap  130  and particularly the therapeutic tip  134  may provide mechanical relief without an outlet to dispense treatment to the affected skin. However, in other embodiments, the cap  130  may be a comb, a brush, or some other form of hair care device. 
         [0036]    The skin treatment tool  100  may include one or more flow control mechanisms operable to contain, restrict, and/or selectably allow the therapeutic treatment  180  to flow from the cavity  160  or reservoir  161 . Flow controls may be manually activated or they may be automatically actuated. A manually operated flow control  140  may be actuated by a user by selecting an active or inactive state to control of the flow of the therapeutic treatment  180 . In one example, the manually operated flow control  140  may be positioned between the body  110  and the applicator  120 . Before use, a user may manipulate the control (e.g., an exterior surface  142 ) causing the treatment tool  100  to enter an active state and allowing the therapeutic treatment  180  to flow past the manually operated flow control  140 . In various embodiments, which may be included together with or separately from the manually operated flow control  140 , an automatic flow control  150  may be included in the treatment tool  100 ′ as shown in  FIG. 3B . An automatic flow control  150  may be one in which usage of the treatment tool  100  allows the therapeutic treatment  180  to flow from the tool  100  without manual activation (e.g., opening of a valve) by a user. Embodiments of treatment tools may have only an automatic flow control  150 , only a manually operated flow control  140 , a combination of both, a plurality of one, a plurality of the other, or a plurality of both. 
         [0037]    In accordance with various embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the automatic flow control  150  may comprise the opening, passage, and outlet  158   a,b,c.  In this embodiment, the opening, passage, and outlet  158   a,b,c  may be smaller in diameter than the cavity  160  or the reservoir  161  thereby restricting and slowing the flow of treatment out of the cavity  160 . Thus, the flow may be controlled by merely throttling the flow to a smaller passage. 
         [0038]    In another exemplary embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , an applicator  420  may include an opening  458   a  which opens proximal to a manually operated flow control  440  above the cavity  160 . The opening  458   a  may be an entrance to a passage  458   b  that extends through the applicator  420  (similar to the applicator  120  discussed above). The passage  458   b  may exit at an outlet  458   c.  The outlet  458   c  may be blocked by an obstruction  457 . In one example, the outlet  458   c  may exit into a receptacle  459 . The receptacle  459  may be a socket that the obstruction  457  may snap into such that obstruction  457  is not easily removed therefrom. The receptacle  459  may be located proximal to a therapeutic tip  456  (similar to the therapeutic tip  156  discussed above). The receptacle  459  may retain the obstruction  457 . In one example, the obstruction  457  may be a ball located in the receptacle  459 . The engagement between the obstruction  457  and the receptacle  459  may be such that the obstruction  457  is operable to rotate. As the obstruction  457  rotates, it may allow the therapeutic treatment  180  to pass out of outlet  458   c,  into the receptacle  459 , and out of the therapeutic tip  456 . Contact of the obstruction  457  against skin may cause the obstruction  457  to rotate, thereby releasing the treatment. The obstruction  457  may be a part of the therapeutic tip  456  and have the same profile, namely that the combination of the obstruction  457  and the therapeutic tip  456  may be sized to fit between the follicles, part, rows, weave, or extensions of hair and contact the scalp directly. Additionally or alternatively, the therapeutic tip  456  and the obstruction  457  combination may be suitably large to provide itch relief without puncturing or cutting the skin. 
         [0039]    In accordance with various embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B , a manually operated flow control  440  may include a rotatable collar  442 . The collar  442  may define a passage  448  therethrough. The rotatable collar  442  may be movable from a closed first position  1  to an open second position  2 . In the first position  1 , the passage  448  and the opening  458   a  within the passage  458   b  may be in different positions (i.e., unaligned or substantially unaligned) such that flow of the therapeutic treatment  180  is limited or prevented from exiting the cavity  160 . In the second position  2 , the passage  448  in the collar  442  may be aligned with the opening  458   a.  The second position  2  may thus allow the flow of the therapeutic treatment  180  from the cavity  160  to the outlet  458   c.    
         [0040]    The rotatable collar  442  may be rotatable by having slideable engagements between one or both of the applicator  420  and the body  110 . The slideable engagement may include a tab or flange  443 . The flange  143  may extend away from the rotatable collar  442  toward the exterior surface  452 . The flange  443  may be a continuous annular protrusion extending from the rotatable collar  442 . Alternatively, the flange  443  may be a plurality of discrete tabs extending from the collar  442 . The flange  443  may engage a corresponding lip  453  on the applicator  420 . The lip  453  may likewise be annular. The engagement of the flange  443  and lip  453  together may allow for rotational movement between the collar  442  and the applicator  420 . This movement is shown in  FIG. 4B , from 1 to 2, which illustrates how passage  448  may rotate around to align with the opening  458   a  shown as a hidden line. This relative rotational movement between the collar  442  and the manually operated flow control  440  may allow the alignment and misalignment of the passage  448  and the passage  458   b.  The body  110  may likewise have a lip or tabs  111  operable to engage the flange  443  on the collar  442 , allowing for relative rotational movement between the body  110  and the manually operated flow control  440  as well. However, in another embodiment, this may be a fixed relationship such that there is no relative rotational movement between the body  110  and the manually operated flow control  440 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show the treatment tool  100  with examples of both the manually operated flow control  440  and an automatic flow control in the form of the occlusion  457  in the applicator  420  but, as indicated above, this is merely an example as the treatment tool  100  may include only one or the other. 
         [0042]    In another exemplary implementation as shown in  FIGS. 5A-C , the treatment tool  100  may include a flow control  550 .  FIG. 5A  illustrates an example of an enlarged view of the applicator end  519  similar to the area indicated by line B-B in  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 5A  is shown as B′-B′ to distinguish this embodiment over the embodiment represented in  FIG. 4A  which is a different but applicable example of the B-B area. The flow control  550  may be removably attached to the body  110 , fixed to body  110  or integral with the body  110 . A manually operated flow control  540  may include a threaded engagement along an annular surface  544 . The applicator  520  may include a threaded engagement along an annular surface  554  which may be between an exterior surface  552  and the end of the body  110 . The annular threaded surface  554  and the annular threaded surface  544  may engage and thread into one another. The threaded engagement may contract the applicator end  520  towards the flow control  550  in response to threading the applicator end  520  into body  110 . 
         [0043]    The manually operated flow control  540  may further include an obstruction  549 . The manually operated flow control  540  may further define a passage  548 . The applicator  520  may include a mating surface  551  located proximal to the opening  558   a.  The mating surface  551  may receive the obstruction  549  in response to threading the applicator end  520  onto the body  110 . The mating surface  551  may be any size or shape suitable to receive the obstruction  549 . In one example, the mating surface  551  may be substantially the same size and shape as the obstruction  549 . In another example, the mating surface  551  may merely be a transitional surface around the opening  558   a.  The obstruction  549  which is a part of the manually operated flow control  540  may be any suitable shape and size to block the flow into the opening  558   a  in response to being forced against the mating surface  551 . In one example, the obstruction  549  may have a substantially spherical end which engages with the mating surface  551 . The mating surface  551  may have a correspondingly substantially spherical cavity configured to receive the obstruction  549 . The obstruction  549  and the mating surface  551  may nest together such that the obstruction  549  blocks and seals the passage  558   b,  preventing the therapeutic treatment  180  from flowing through the passage  558   b.    
         [0044]    The obstruction  549  may be attached to the external wall  112  by a bridge  542  as shown in  FIG. 5C . The bridge  542  may extend from the obstruction  549  to the exterior wall  112  such that the obstruction  549  is held in place and may engage the mating surface  551  with a force in the flow direction F as shown in  FIG. 5A . The force may be suitable to close the passage  558   b  and limit or prevent the therapeutic treatment  180  from flowing through the passage  558   b.  The bridge  542  may have passages  548  that bypass the obstruction  549  as shown in  FIG. 5B  such that the therapeutic treatment  180  may flow around the obstruction  549  in response to the applicator end  520  and the manually operated flow control  540  not being engaged. As an example, the passage  548  may be formed around two sides of the obstruction  549  as shown in  FIG. 5A and 5B . The therapeutic treatment  180  may flow from the cavity  160  through the passage  548 , into the opening  558   a,  through the passage  558   b,  and out of the outlet  558   c  proximal to the therapeutic tip  556 . This path is shown along arrows F (shown in  FIG. 5A ). This flow may be possible when the applicator end  520  and the body  110  are not compressed toward each other by threading into one another. A user may thread the applicator end  520  and the body  110  into one another, thereby closing the opening  558   a  by compressing the applicator end  520  and the body  110  towards each other utilizing the threadable engagement. This results in the treatment being prevented or limited in its escape from the treatment tool  100 . 
         [0045]    In some exemplary embodiments, the treatment tool  100  may include various additional features such as a brush, a comb, a hair pick or the like. As discussed above, a second end of the treatment tool  100  may be a non-treating scratch end. This non treating end may be an integral of the part of the body  110 , or part of an attachable portion such as cap  130  which may be operable as a cap. In this way the skin treatment tool  100  may be able to apply a mechanical and therapeutic treatment from one end and only a mechanical treatment from a second end. 
         [0046]    In another exemplary embodiment, the flow of the therapeutic treatment  180  may be manipulated by an automatic flow control  650  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The automatic flow control  650  may be located within an applicator  620 . The applicator  620  may be similar to the applicator  120  and the applicator  420  discussed above, being defined by an exterior wall  652  (similar to exterior surface  152  and exterior surface  452 ) with a passage  658   b  extending therethrough. The passage  658   b  may exit proximal to the applicator tip  656  at an outlet  658   c.  The outlet  658   c  may include an interior wall  672  proximal to the opening at the applicator tip  656 . The automatic flow control  650  may include an obstruction  657  which is movably located within the outlet  658   c.  In a first position, the obstruction  657  may contact the interior wall  672  thereby closing the passage  658   b  at the outlet  658   c.  In a second position, the obstruction  657  may be moved out of contact with the interior wall  672 , thereby opening a space around the obstruction to connect the passage  658   b  and the outlet  658   c  allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The movement between the first and second position may follow the arrow M shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0047]    The obstruction  657  may be biased against the interior wall  672 . In one example, a spring  659  may be position between a support surface  619  and the obstruction  657 . This position may allow the spring  659  to force the obstruction  657  away from the support surface  619  and toward the interior wall  672 . The applicator  620  may be mated against the support surface  619 . The applicator  620  may additionally or alternatively be concentric with an annular wall  644  extending from the support surface  619 . The motion may be restrained by a stud  675  extending downward from the obstruction  657 . The stud  675  may pass through an annular ring  643  supported by a bridge  642  (similar to the bridge  542  in  FIGS. 5A-5C ). The stud  675  may slide through the annular ring  643 , which helps maintain the axial orientation of the stud  675  and thus the obstruction  657 . 
         [0048]    An interior surface  654  on an end  674  proximal to the support surface  619  may engage the annular wall  644 , thereby attaching the applicator  620  to the body  110 . In some embodiments, the interior surface  654  and the annular wall  644  may be sealed together, for example, by adhesive or by ultrasonic welding, for example if the body and the applicator wall  652  are both made of plastic. In this structure, the therapeutic treatment  180  may flow from the cavity  160  into a passage  648  and then into the opening  658   a,  through the passage  658   b,  and out of outlet  658   c  which is proximal to the therapeutic tip  656 . The treatment may then be obstructed by the obstruction  657  in a first position and unobstructed by the obstruction  657  in the second position. 
         [0049]    In accordance with various embodiments, the treatment tool  100  may be manufactured as a single integral device, multiple connected devices, or a combination thereof. Any one or more of the elements of the treatment tool  100  may be machined, cast, molded, formed, or manufactured from any known process or developed process. Any one or more of the elements of the treatment tool  100  may be formed from a metal, polymer, wood, glass, composite material or any known material or developed material. 
         [0050]    For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. The disclosed methods, apparatuses, and systems should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The methods, apparatuses, and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved. 
         [0051]    As used herein, the terms “a”, “an”, “one or more”, and “at least one” encompass one or more of the specified element. That is, if two of a particular element are present, one of these elements is also present and thus “an” element is present. The terms “a plurality of” and “plural” mean two or more of the specified element. 
         [0052]    As used herein, the term “and/or” used between the last two of a list of elements means any one or more of the listed elements. For example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means “A,” “B,” “C,” “A and B,” “A and C,” “B and C,” or “A, B, and C.” 
         [0053]    All relative and directional references (including: upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, side, above, below, front, middle, back, vertical, horizontal, height, depth, width, and so forth) are given by way of example to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the particular embodiments described herein. They should not be read to be requirements or limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other, unless specifically set forth in the claims. 
         [0054]    Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing properties, sizes, percentages, measurements, distances, ratios, and so forth, as used in the specification or claims are to be understood as being modified by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, implicitly or explicitly, the numerical parameters set forth are approximations that may depend on the desired properties sought and/or limits of detection under standard test conditions/methods. When directly and explicitly distinguishing embodiments from discussed prior art, numbers are not approximations unless the word “about” is recited. 
         [0055]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of the claimed invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the invention as defined in the following claims.