There aren’t many phrases that can strike fear into parents, like “Your child’s hair is infested with lice.” While anyone with hair is susceptible to head lice, children in elementary school, along with their parents and caretakers, have the highest risk. Head lice are similar to fleas on an animal. They are wingless, parasitic insects that reside on the scalp and hair. These insects are about the same size as a poppy seed and can vary in color ranging from brown to white.
To survive, head lice have to consume human blood. Lice can live as long as a full month and lay up to five eggs, known as nits, a day.
Although there has been no research backing how hair dye can kill lice, informal evidence suggests that it can get rid of them. Head lice removal is not exactly simple, so it begs the question, “Does dyeing your hair kill head lice?”
How does hair dye affect head lice?
While there are many types of hair dye on the shelves, the one that’s said to kill head lice is permanent hair dye. Permanent hair dye contains a substance known as ammonia. Ammonia is an alkaline substance, which is a chemical that can create an inflaming gas. People believe that this is why hair dye has the potential to kill lice. Other hair dye products include hydrogen peroxide.
However, while it’s speculated that hair dye can eliminate lice, the same cannot be said for the nits. Nits are protected by a hard shell that is impervious to the chemicals. This is why hair dye isn’t effective when it comes to destroying the nits before they hatch.
How to Use Hair Dye to Kill Lice
While it’s highly recommended that you go to a lice treatment clinic for head lice removal, here’s how you can use hair dye to kill lice:
– Douse your scalp with a half and half solution of water and vinegar. Make sure that the vinegar has at least five percent acidity. Rub the mixture down your hair shafts, behind your ears, and your neck. Please leave it to sit for at least five to 15 minutes. If it starts to burn, rinse it off immediately.
– Thoroughly wash off the solution of water and vinegar using warm water. After that, use lice comb to remove as many lice and nits as you can. Soak the comb in boiling water before using it again.
– In a well-ventilated area, mix the hair dye using the directions on the box. Thoroughly rub the dye in your hair and on your scalp. Focus on the same areas that you put the vinegar solution on. After about 20 minutes, rinse out the dye and comb your hair with the boiled lice comb. Finally, dry your hair with a hot hairdryer to kill off any lingering lice.
Keep in mind that there is no guarantee using hair dye will eliminate head lice. Nor will it repel them or prevent you from being infested again.
Suffering from head lice? We’ve got you covered! Call Lice Lifters at 609-557-3303 to schedule an appointment or to learn more information today!
