Can hair dye kill lice? – TOP 5 best brands

• about the author
• VK profile

Svetlana Tarasova

Hairdresser-stylist with more than 8 years of experience, expert in the field of haircuts, styling, hair care, coloring.
Any parent of children who have reached preschool or school age is familiar with head lice. Among all the treatments available, some people dye their hair in the hope that the hair dye will help kill these parasites. But does hair dye actually kill lice, and are all hair dyes actually safe?

Do lice die from hair dye?

Lice can cause a lot of discomfort if you don't find a quick way to get rid of the disease. This is a very common problem among the younger population, and even though children are the most affected group, adults can sometimes catch them too - especially if they have children infested with lice.

Lice can easily crawl from one head to another and create a “colony” of eggs, first nymphs (the small nymph that emerges from the hatched egg), second nymphs or moults, third nymphs or molts (teenage lice), and adult lice. It only takes 15-16 days for lice to hatch and produce adult lice, so imagine how many lice will accumulate over time if you don't remove nits.

There are several methods for dealing with head lice that either work to remove the adult lice or attempt to attack the problem at the root by killing the eggs first and then the actual live lice.

Although hair dyes are not an official treatment for lice, some hairdressers believe that using hair dye is effective in controlling lice. Why does hair dye kill lice? Because hair dye mainly contains strong chemicals that are toxic to lice and can potentially kill them.

IMPORTANT! When it comes to effectively treating lice, time is of the essence.

The question is, is paint effective against eggs? The answer is both yes and no. While hair dye appears to kill lice, its chemicals cannot fully penetrate the structure of the egg and kill it. This means that even if the hair dye kills all the active lice, the eggs will still remain active and hatch within 15 days and the problem will continue.

Don't delay treatment

It is important to get rid of lice quickly. This will prevent bacterial infection from penetrating the skin damaged by bites and scratches. This is another of the main reasons for using essential oils of lavender, rosemary, juniper, tea tree, and geranium. The property of these oils, proven by scientific research, is the destruction of bacterial colonies and the removal of the inflammatory process. Diluted in base oil or aloe gel (with polysorbate), the listed oils relieve allergic reactions and accelerate skin healing, activating regeneration. As a bonus, you get stimulation of hair growth, fight against dandruff, and also prevent new infections.

Hair dye for lice and nits - TOP 5 best and most effective

To understand whether hair dye is effective against lice and nits, you need to understand what to focus on when choosing. The components included in the paint should include hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. If these chemicals are not included in the paint, then it will be impossible to cure lice . The components of plant-based dyes will not have the slightest effect on parasites - the louse will not die from henna and basma.

Quality is considered an important criterion when choosing a product. It is forbidden to use paint that has expired. This will lead to a decrease in effectiveness, and in the worst case, to a burn or poisoning.

The following are considered effective:

1. Garnier Color Naturals;

2. Palette;

3. Lisap LK Anti-Age Creamcolor;

4. L'Oreal Excellence;

5. Farmavita Life Color Plus Professional;

ATTENTION! It is best to opt for paints that contain both ammonia and perhydrol. The combination of these components makes the product most effective against lice.

How does hydrogen peroxide work on parasites?

It is known that hydrogen peroxide acts on lice and nits in much the same way as some other folk remedies, in particular kerosene and vinegar. Namely, the parasites themselves die from it during treatment or try to spread from the place of its use, however, it is not advisable to use hydrogen peroxide for lice on the head.

Because peroxide is dangerous to lice, it is also dangerous to human skin and hair: if it is used incorrectly, it can cause severe skin burns, as well as other unpleasant side effects. Therefore, even if you decide to use hydrogen peroxide to remove lice, you should strictly follow the rules for its use and be prepared for some troubles.

Does henna help against lice?

Henna combined with fenugreek will kill head lice in stubborn infestations. Henna in combination with Artemisia will completely eradicate head lice, even with severe infestations. The grainy texture of henna, when mixed correctly, acts like a fine-toothed nit comb. Plus, the messy, sticky properties of henna make it ideal for smothering live bugs that roam the scalp. To use henna as a head lice treatment, prepare and apply the henna as usual. Use a film or shower cap and keep the henna on your head for at least three hours. After rinsing, comb your hair with a fine-tooth comb and let it dry.

Instructions for dyeing hair at home

Dyeing your hair with dye that kills lice requires strict adherence to the instructions . First you need to wash and dry your hair, and only then apply the composition to your hair and roots. Before this, the strands should be thoroughly combed to be able to evenly distribute the mixture.

1. Determine the area where parasites live. Divide your hair into small sections, inspect the side areas behind the ears and the area near the neck.

2. Make a solution of grape vinegar and sea salt and mix with paint to achieve the best effect. To make this solution, simply mix about 10 drops of vinegar in one cup of water along with 1 tbsp. l. sea ​​salt. Shake the mixture well and apply to hair using a spray bottle.

3. Use a comb to remove nits and eggs first. Start by combing each section of hair through dry, damp, or half-wet hair for 10 minutes.

4. Apply your desired hair color and follow the instructions on the package.. You will need to first mix the hair dye and bleach agent well and then apply it to your hair with a special brush or applicator. If you are using highly concentrated ammonia hair dye, do not leave it on for more than an hour as you will damage your hair.

5. Rinse your hair thoroughly with shampoo. This will reinforce the previous steps and catch any remaining lice and nits. Make sure you leave the shampoo and conditioner in your hair for at least a couple of minutes. Rinse as usual.

The above steps should be enough to kill most (not all) necks and their eggs.

Oils

How to remove lice at home in a safe way? Oils are used for this. They block the path to oxygen, so the insects die. Recommended use:

• olive;
• mustard;
• corn;
• sunflower.

The method of application is quite simple: lubricate your hair with it, wrap it in cling film for 2 hours. You can wrap a towel on top. The oil not only fights parasites, but also makes it easier to comb out after the procedure is completed.

Let's look at how to remove lice with tea tree oil. It is necessary to prepare a medicinal solution. To do this, mix medical alcohol (30 ml), oil (25 drops), water (20 ml). The product is applied to the head. Cover the hair with cling film and wash it after 2 hours with shampoo. Lice are combed out with a fine comb. The procedure should be repeated until the insects are completely eliminated, given that the oil does not destroy them, but only temporarily paralyzes them.

Blood suckers are afraid of the aroma of geranium oil. You will need a few drops of ether, which are mixed with burdock oil. This mixture is also applied to the hair, then wrapped in polyethylene for a couple of hours. Then the shampoo should be rinsed off and the nits can be combed out.

In addition to geranium and tea tree, the following oils are suitable:

• peppermint;
• lavender;
• plantain;
• cypress;
• rosemary;
• lemon;
• calendula;
• sage;
• carnations;
• Agave.

The listed esters have a detrimental effect on parasites, effectively destroying them. Usually after the first procedure the effect is visible.

FAQ

Can there be lice on hair extensions?

You can use both real and synthetic hair extensions. Lice can attach to any type of hair, even hair extensions. Whether they survive or not depends on how long they are in your hair and whether you remove them. If you catch them in your hair extensions before they reach your scalp, you can avoid a lice infestation. However, if even one louse gets on your scalp, you need to take immediate action.

Are nits covered in hair coloring?

Parasites are not painted over because the components in the paint, such as ammonia or peroxide, are deadly to them. When paint gets on the shell of parasites, the insects' cover is corroded, which leads to their death.

Haircut bald

You may be interested in:A biopsy is a procedure for removing cells or tissue from the body for diagnostic or research purposes. Indications, preparation and results of biopsy

How to quickly remove lice? The fastest method is to cut your hair bald. Lice will not crawl through hair if it is shorter than 3 - 4 mm. But then you will have to sacrifice a beautiful haircut. In this case, you do not need to use any other means of eliminating parasites.

This method is most suitable for boys. Eliminating parasites in this case does not cause trouble. Moreover, this eliminates the risk of reappearance of these insects.

Contraindications and precautions

If you decide to use peroxide against lice, it should be used in a less concentrated form than what is sold in pharmacies. To do this, before getting rid of lice with hydrogen peroxide, the product itself should be diluted with water at least twice (from 3% to 1.5%). If you don't do this, you risk getting skin burns. You should immediately be prepared for the fact that even with short-term use of peroxide, your hair will change color and become lighter. And even an occasional delay can completely discolor them.

IMPORTANT! Under no circumstances should a regular 3% hydrogen peroxide solution be confused with a 30% solution. 30% peroxide is extremely aggressive and hazardous to health!

Be sure to remember that hydrogen peroxide is a very aggressive substance. In some cases, the consequences of its use are more serious than the problems caused by lice.

If peroxide cannot be replaced by safer products, in order to avoid side effects it is necessary to follow several rules when treating head lice:

• Be sure to test your skin for sensitivity before each use of the product (even if you are not allergic to peroxide, you may dilute it incorrectly);
• do not hold peroxide on your head if you experience a burning or tingling sensation;
• do not repeat the procedure “to consolidate the effect” or prevention - this is serious stress for the skin and hair.

IMPORTANT! Do not use peroxide for lice on children or teenagers. Their skin may react to this drug in completely unpredictable ways.

Peroxide should also not be used if there are wounds, irritations, or rashes of any kind on the head. After peroxide treatment, healing of such damage may occur with the formation of scars.

Does hair dye kill lice and nits?

Not really

Alternative methods for getting rid of head lice

There are a lot of medicines for lice that give quick and reliable results in pharmacies today:

1. Lice shampoos – adults and children over 2 years old. Apply a sufficient amount of shampoo to damp hair and massage in the shampoo. Leave it on your hair for at least 3 minutes. Rinse it off. To protect against head lice infestation, use daily for 10-14 days.

2. Emulsions and concentrates – acts as an irreversible cholinesterase inhibitor.

3. Sprays – safe and fast treatment, effective immediately after application, easy to use.
   Read also:  Brekel Silver is a beautiful egg breed of chickens with an unusual taste of meat. Their main characteristics
4. Creams – a remedy against parasites, used by rubbing from above into the skin.

5. Combs – Combing with a comb is one of the best and most reliable methods of treating head lice. The best comb is made of steel and has very fine teeth. Wet hair is divided into strands, which are carefully combed one after another from the root of the hair several times. The entire procedure is carried out over a bathtub or over a white sheet.

Each of the above drugs has its own contraindications, but they are all safer and easier to use than peroxide or ammonia. Their only drawback over this folk remedy is the cost, but for the sake of health and safety (especially when it comes to children), you should not save.

Briefly about these insects

There are three types of lice:

• Clothes.
• Pubic.
• Head ones.

The latter type can get on the hair in various ways:

• The hair was in contact with lousy strands.
• Someone else's comb or headdress was used.
• The child touched soft toys in public places.
• Sleeping on an infected pillow.

You may be interested in: Eye diseases in humans: list of diseases, symptoms and treatment features

At a speed of 35 cm/min, the parasite can crawl from one object to another. Therefore, lice spreads instantly in schools and kindergartens.

Insect bites cause itching. Scratching causes micro-wounds to form on the skin: from boils to typhus. The patient sleeps less, scratches the bitten areas, wanting to crush the bloodsucker and eliminate the itching. But this is impossible, since lice, like other parasites, multiply quickly.

Pest eggs, called nits, are able to cling to the hair roots with an adhesive substance. After 10 days they become larvae, turning into individuals up to 5 mm long.

How to remove lice at home? In this case, simple hygiene procedures will not help. It is necessary to use proven means, which will be discussed below.

Traditional methods

1. Tar soap – phenols and tannins cause antibacterial, antifungal, reparative, drying, antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, drying effects. These properties help cope with the consequences of lice bites - itching, redness, dermatosis. The disinfectant effect prevents the introduction of secondary infection through skin damage.

2. Kerosene – paralyzes the respiratory centers of parasites. The vapors have a suffocating effect and penetrate the respiratory channels, blocking them. A sparingly soluble enzyme secreted by lice to hold nits (eggs) on the hair is broken down by exposure to flammable liquid.

3. Vinegar – The acid contained in vinegar can kill nymphs that cannot yet lay eggs. Treatment of head lice with vinegar in combination with thorough combing is an effective method.

4. Oils – lice find the smell of oils repulsive, but this is not enough to get rid of them completely. Therefore, oils are effective as a preventive measure.

5. Cranberry – capable of eating away eggs laid by lice. Nits are unable to withstand the level of acid contained in cranberries.

Lice prevention methods

Basic measures you can take to prevent the spread of lice to children and adults in your family:

1. Do not share personal hygiene items (combs, towels).
2. Avoid activities that result in head-to-head contact.
3. Store items, especially outerwear, away from common areas such as closets.

If you have lice, try not to be embarrassed. This is not a sign of illness or that you or your child are dirty. Tell friends and teachers to check on their children and stop the spread of these pests.

• about the author
• VK profile

What do you need to know?

There are other ways to get lice out of your hair. Although they are popular, they are not safe:

To completely eliminate lice, it is important to comb out the parasites regularly, for at least a month, no matter what method of destruction is chosen. The methods listed in the article are some of the most effective.