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Happy, lice-free kids posing in a park.

Pesticides Are for Plants, Mayo Is for Sandwiches

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Traditionally there have been three options when it comes to head lice treatment: drugstore DIY lice products; nit-picking, or home remedies recommended by other parents.

There are challenges with all three of these lice treatments. First, many drugstore head lice products use pyrethroids to kill live lice which is a class of pesticides. Head lice in 48 states in the United States, as well as some other countries, have developed resistance to pyrethroids. Since pyrethroids have been linked to behavior problems in children, do you really want to be washing your child’s hair with a pesticide?

“Many parents have come to us after weeks of battling lice with over the counter DIY lice treatments, some have spent hundreds of dollars on treatments that don’t work and have spent countless hours cleaning their house and washing bedding,” says Dwight Ottesen, owner of Fresh Heads Lice Removal.

Home remedies are completely unproven. Common recommendations include smothering a child’s head with mayonnaise or petroleum jelly overnight. Mayonnaise? Petroleum jelly?  These approaches are meant to suffocate live lice. “Natural” treatments recommended, like tea tree oil, can actually prove toxic if over-applied.

These methods, even if they were to be effective with killing live lice, do not kill lice eggs. Killing lice eggs (nits) is the most difficult part of a lice treatment. Nits are extremely hard to see and remove, and if you miss just one, the egg will hatch, and you’ll have a fresh case of head lice on your hands. Countless parents have come in after trying to treat lice at home with these home remedies, but all they’ve gotten is more frustration.

This brings us to combing and nit-picking. This is a long and tedious process. As Health.com points out, “It’s best to approach lice as a war on many fronts: You need to use a variety of techniques to kill not only adult lice but also their tiny eggs called nits, which are glued to the hair shaft. The nits can survive treatments that kill the adults and vice versa. These bugs have evolved over a millennium to live in hair, so they’re tricky.”

Fortunately, scientists at the University of Utah have come to the rescue with a revolutionary medical device called the AirAllé that kills lice by applying carefully controlled heated air to the hair and scalp, dehydrating live lice and eggs in a single treatment that takes 60-90 minutes.

AirAllé® Lice Treatment

The AirAllé® has been through the lengthy FDA-clearance process where it was found to kill live lice and 99.2 percent of eggs.

The FDA-cleared medical device, the AirAllé® is operated in clinics by certified technicians who deliver treatments that last 60-90 minutes in most cases, and results are guaranteed when all family members are checked for lice and treated in the case of an active infestation.

Because the AirAllé® device only uses heated air to kill lice and eggs, there are no harmful pesticides involved, and no lengthy nit-picking process is required. This sounds a lot more pleasant than pesticides or sleeping with a head full of mayonnaise.

“It’s amazing to see the relief on a happy mom who is able to leave our clinic lice-free after having tried everything to get rid of lice,” says Dwight Ottesen.

Let’s leave pesticides in farms but keep them out of our hair. Let’s leave mayonnaise on sandwiches, which can be quite delicious. Let’s use science and medicine to treat head lice.

Putting an End to Lice

Fresh Heads Lice Removal has created locations in Jacksonville and Orlando, FL, and Savannah, GA, to help families to find relief from lice. Using our FDA-cleared technology, our team can eradicate any lice outbreak within minutes. Book an appointment to receive our fast and effective lice treatment today.

 

 

Schools Without Lice.

Putting an End to Lice in Schools

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our goal is to completely eradicate lice in schools from California to Florida, and everywhere in between. This is why we have partnered with the Lice Clinics of America to create our Schools Without Lice program. We want to keep our children safe in schools across the country, and by supporting our educators, we can take another step toward creating schools without lice!

airalle head lice treatment

Modern Lice Treatment and the AirAllé

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With more than 500,000 successful treatments and having its technology and treatment methods featured on prominent television shows such as “The Doctors,” Fresh Heads Lice Removal is without a doubt leading the way in today’s modern approach to lice treatment. Rather than try a variety of old-fashioned treatment methods that only lead to frustration and failure, let Fresh Heads Lice Removal do it right the first time. With a variety of treatment methods that can be customized to fit a patient’s needs and budget, removing lice is now easier than ever.

Revolutionary Technology

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, we take advantage of the latest technology available today by using our revolutionary AirAllé device. An FDA-cleared medical device that is safe and effective, AirAllé is able to kill head lice and eggs in only a single treatment, all without the use of pesticides.

Treatment Options

While in years past there were only limited options for lice treatment, modern medicine and technology have changed all that, and Fresh Heads Lice Removal has been at the forefront of making sure children and their families are lice-free. Because of our dedication to this area of medicine, we are known around the world as the leading authority on killing lice and their eggs. To help our patients even more, we offer a variety of treatment options. One of our most popular is booking an appointment at one of our conveniently-located clinics, where our patients receive an easy and effective treatment using our signature AirAllé device. However, for others who prefer to conduct their treatment at home, we offer in-home treatment kits which can be purchased.

As per clinic owner Dwight Ottesen, “No matter your budget or your infestation level, one of our certified technicians can help you determine your best treatment options to fit your needs.”

Years of Proven Science

While the Fresh Heads Lice Removal has been around since 2012, the science behind what we use today was years in the making. Thanks to Dr. Dale Clayton, who made his revolutionary discoveries while a professor at the University of Utah, he was able to form Larada Sciences in 2006, which enabled this state-of-the-art technology to go to market. As they say, the rest is history.

Since the most frequently used over-the-counter lice treatments have been shown to be effective less than 50% of the time, it makes no sense to waste your time and money on these products. Instead, contact us here at Fresh Heads Lice Removal, where you can be assured of getting the effective and efficient lice treatment you and your family deserve.

Let us take care of the lice in your life. Fresh Heads Lice Removal has locations in Jacksonville and Orlando, FL, and Savannah, GA. We are open seven days a week by appointment. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

 

Schools Without Lice.

Fresh Heads Lice Removal, Together with Lice Clinics of America, for Schools Without Lice!

We at Fresh Heads Lice Removal want to keep our children safe in schools across the country, which is why we have partnered together with Lice Clinics of America, to create the Schools Without Lice program. Our goal is to eradicate lice in schools from California to Florida, and everywhere in between. By supporting our teachers, administrators, school nurses, and other personnel, we can take another step toward creating schools that are lice-free!

Mobile Lice Treatments - What they Don’t Tell You

Mobile Lice Treatments – What they Don’t Tell You

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Bringing someone into your home to treat your family for a lice infestation may sound like a convenient choice. But there is a lot to consider before calling a mobile lice treatment service. Let’s lay down the facts regarding the differences between professional head lice treatment clinics and mobile services.

Treating More People

When your entire family is infested with lice, time is a big factor in the price for at-home services. Mobile treatments are notorious for charging by the hour for a single head lice technician. When coming into a head lice clinic your entire family can easily be treated at once by multiple technicians, saving you time and money!

The FDA-Cleared AirAllé Device

Simply put, our exclusive, FDA-cleared AirAllé devices are superior to all other head lice removal methods. The treatment is fast, safe, effective, and there are never any pesticides or toxins used.


In-home mobile lice treatments notably use OTC head lice treatments that pose real health risks and require follow up treatments. The AirAllé process is a single treatment that takes about 90 minutes. No follow up necessary. All Fresh Head’s salon chairs are selected with your comfort in mind during our professional treatments. At-home treatments, with their oils and shampoos, are performed in your own personal furniture in your house… Do you really want to be sitting on your own furniture while having lice removed?

The Head Lice Treatment Clinic Advantage

At Fresh Heads Head Lice Removal clinics we provide the highest quality lice removal services to our clients. Our clinics are stocked, well-lit and provide multiple treatment options performed by trained technicians. It is essential that the treatment environment is conducive to both the head lice technicians and the clients. Every Fresh Heads client can relax knowing they are receiving the highest level of care and never have to worry about cleaning up.

Mobile lice treatments have to navigate through traffic, making their appointment times hard to guarantee. They are working with a limited number of supplies and a smaller team (if they aren’t going solo). Aside from this, the lighting in your home might not be the best to see all of the louses and nits, and you might not have the space and seating needed.

Our Trained Technicians Aren’t Rushed

Because there’s an ample supply of materials and technicians, a technician in a clinic will not be rushed, they will be equipped and not rushed. This means they can go through the proper steps ensuring lice removal is complete.

Mobile service providers balance multiple clients, bouncing from one house to the next trying to make it to appointments on time. This increases the chance of slip-ups from feeling rushed.

The Salon Difference Matters

Mobile treatments and head lice clinics are an entirely different experience. At Fresh Heads Lice Removal Centers we offer the most effective head lice treatment available in a clean, comfortable environment with fixed prices, no follow up treatments necessary, and a 45-day guarantee. We also have unique offers like our lifetime protection plan. We take lice removal seriously! There’s no mess in your home, you can set appointments around your schedule (no more hoping someone shows up on time and gets the job done quickly!), there are no surprise expenses, and there is absolutely no follow up necessary.

 

Contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our 4 convenient locations and experience the difference at Fresh Heads.

risky chemical head lice removal products

The Real Risks of Head Lice

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It’s natural for parents to be concerned when their child has head lice. They are itchy, bothersome and can be difficult to get rid of. However, the bugs themselves don’t pose too much of a health risk. Chemicals found in common head lice removal treatments are the real risk of lice, sold at your local drug store. Here’s what you need to know about toxic over-the-counter treatments before you treat your child for head lice.

OTC Head Lice Treatments Pose Real Health Risk

Research has been clear—pesticide style head lice treatments of yesterday are hazardous to your child’s health. They typically contain dangerous synthetic chemicals called pyrethroids. One recent study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that exposure to certain pyrethroids at environmental levels may negatively affect neurobehavioral development by the age of six.

The chemicals most commonly found in OTC lice treatment products are permethrin and lindane. Both chemicals have been proven to be toxic. Here’s more information about these two disturbing ingredients and some of their alarming side effects.

Permethrin is a neurotoxin that is found in many insecticides, including Raid. It’s also the key ingredient in numerous head lice removal treatments. It’s known to be carcinogenic and can cause serious side effects such as:

  • Wheezing or coughing
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Skin irritation burning
  • Scalp irritation or burning
  • May affect the reproductive system
  • Nervous system symptoms such as excitability and convulsions
  • Allergic reaction

Lindane is a dangerous chemical that attacks the nervous system. Known to cause cancer. And it’s found in OTC head lice removal products. The FDA has recommended using extreme caution when using lindane on anyone under 110 pounds—which would include most school-aged children.

When used to treat lice, it’s easily absorbed through the scalp, which makes it even more troubling. The World Health Organization has even reclassified lindane from being a “possible carcinogenic” to “known to cause human cancer.” Lindane can cause serious side effects such as:

  • Stinging, burning and itching of the skin
  • Rashes
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Uncontrollable bodily shaking
  • Allergic reaction

Don’t Risk It. Choose Fresh Heads Lice Treatment Centers.

When the risk of head lice removal is worse than the head lice itself, what’s a parent to do? Simple. Choose a nontoxic treatment option like those offered at Fresh Heads. Not only are our treatments safe, they’re also far more effective since head lice have built up a resistance to old-school pesticide-based treatments.

Our signature treatment—AirAllé—was specifically designed to dehydrate lice and their eggs with warm, heated air. It’s FDA-cleared and has been proven to be safe and effective at killing lice and their eggs—it’s rate of efficacy is 99.2%! That’s a much higher rate than OTC head lice removal products. With AirAllé, we can safely and comfortably treat your child for head lice in about an hour. It’s fast, easy and so effective. It’s backed by our 45-day retreatment policy.

If your child comes home with head lice, call Fresh Heads for no-risk treatment you can trust.

kids in swimming pool

Will a Hot Tub or Swimming Pool Kill Head Lice?

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As the weather warms up, kids begin spending more time swimming and playing with their friends. That also usually means we see an uptick in cases of head lice this time of year. Some parents wonder if taking a dip in the pool or hot tub might actually help kill lice. If only it were that simple. Read on to learn how to treat head lice safely and effectively.

Does Swimming in Chlorinated Water Kill Head Lice?

Swimming in a chlorinated pool or hot tub will not, unfortunately, kill head lice. Lice are very hearty pests and they can resist most chemicals, including chlorine. One study that submerged lice in chlorinated water for twenty minutes found that it wasn’t enough to kill the pests. Although the lice became immobile temporarily, they recovered completely after being out of the water for one minute.

The Centers for Disease Control and prevention also agree that swimming in pools won’t kill head lice. Head lice can survive in chlorinated water, and are firmly attached to the hair when a person is under water. It will also have no impact on the nits or eggs. So, swimming in a hot tub or pool is not a good solution if you’re wondering how to treat head lice.

Can Head Lice Swim from Child to Child?

Fortunately, head lice can’t swim. They remain attached to their host’s hair in the pool or hot tub. They can’t swim from one child to the next to be spread that way. The main way that head lice spread is from head to head contact.

That’s why it’s still important to teach your kids to avoid this type of direct contact, even when swimming. Wet hair won’t stop the head lice from spreading to another child when they’re head to head.

Another thing to consider when your child is swimming with friends is sharing items that might allow head lice to spread. It’s a good idea to have your child avoid sharing items like swim caps, goggles and towels just to be extra cautious.

How to Treat Head Lice Effectively Without Chemicals

If taking a prolonged dip in the pool won’t solve your child’s head lice problem, what will? As mentioned above, head lice are extremely resilient and can survive most chemicals. On top of that, the chemicals used in most head lice products are toxic and unsafe for your family.

An FDA-cleared treatment called AirAllé is the most effective head lice treatment available. Not only does it have a very high efficacy rating, it’s also completely non-toxic. The treatment utilizes warm, heated air applied directly to the scalp to kill lice and nits by dehydrating them. It’s a completely comfortable treatment for children, and it is usually completed in about an hour. It’s so effective, it’s backed with a 45-day retreatment policy.

Call Fresh Heads for Head Lice Treatment in Jacksonville, Orlando and Savannah!

In Jacksonville, Orlando and Savannah, AirAllé is offered exclusively at Fresh Heads Lice Treatment Centers. Fresh Heads also offers a complete line of all-natural hair care and preventative products. Call Fresh Heads today for more information or to schedule an appointment.

young boy in airplane seat

Up in the Air: Head Lice on Airplanes

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Dealing with head lice can be a major headache for the entire family. According to Savannah head lice removal company Fresh Heads, head lice are relatively harmless. But they can be a hassle to get rid of and may even put a kink in your plans.

One family found this out the hard way. Clay Travis, his wife and their three children were returning home from Paris on a Delta Air Lines flight. Instead of making it home to Nashville as planned, they were in for quite a rude awakening. The crew suspected that their six-year-old son had head lice, and they made a rather extreme decision.

The Delta staff decided to abruptly reroute the flight, landing in Minneapolis. They then had the entire Travis family quarantined on the plane by airline staff. The family was examined and it was confirmed that their son had lice. They were prohibited from boarding another Delta flight until he received head lice treatment.

The airline’s response to this situation has been widely criticized, and it does seem a bit extreme. It’s also troubling that Delta Air Lines doesn’t appear to have a clear policy on passengers with head lice to have guided their decision. They say they were looking out for the safety of their passengers and crew. (Here’s where it’s good to remember that head lice are pesky critters, but they are generally harmless.) While it is technically possible to contract head lice from an airline seat, the risk is overall quite low.

One thing the family may have learned is that they shouldn’t have depended on over-the-counter head lice treatments. Travis admitted that since his sister’s children had recently had lice, he treated his kids with “all of the over-the-counter remedies out there” before departing for their vacation. Unfortunately, that didn’t quite do the trick.

Natural Head Lice Removal

Natural, chemical-free head lice treatment is always the best option. Not only are over-the-counter head lice remedies less effective, they are also extremely toxic and hazardous to your family’s health. Savannah head lice removal center Fresh Heads prides itself on offering strictly non-toxic head lice treatments.

Fresh Heads is the exclusive provider of the revolutionary AirAllé Head Lice Machine. The AirAllé offers lice treatment in a single, comfortable session. It’s far safer and has the highest efficacy rating of any lice treatment on the market. The 3-step process includes:

  • 30 minutes treatment with FDA-cleared AirAllé® machine, a heated-air device used to immediately dehydrate and kill lice and their eggs (nits)
  • A full comb-out to remove all dead head lice and eggs
  • A soothing topical rinse application

Fresh Heads also offers traditional comb-outs and a complete range of all-natural products, including DIY treatment kits and preventative care. For safe and effective head lice removal in the Savannah, Jacksonville or Orlando areas, you can count on Fresh Heads to keep the hardship out of head lice. Call us today schedule an appointment or to learn more about our treatments and products.

girl with head lice scratches head

Will Head Lice Go Away on Its Own?

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a staggering 6-10 million people each year contract head lice. It’s an all too common problem that can take weeks or months to get rid of. Some people hope against the odds that it will eventually go away on its own. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The good news is, it doesn’t take toxic chemical treatments to do the trick. A highly effective pesticide-free head lice treatment is the most sought-after lice treatment on the market right now.

Why Head Lice Won’t Go Away on Its Own

Head lice will not go away on its own when they have what they need to survive. Head lice, scientifically known as Pediculus humanus capitis, are parasites. They completely depend on human blood and the shelter provided by human hair to survive. As long as they have that food and shelter, they are able to stay alive.

Head Lice Multiplication

Head lice won’t eventually die off on their own. And, in fact, they multiply very rapidly when left alone. This means that the longer you avoid treatment, the bigger the problem will be. A female louse can live for up to 30 days on the human scalp, laying about 50 eggs per week. Those eggs take about a week to hatch, continuing the vicious cycle. A child left untreated for 5 weeks can have up to 4,000 live lice and 100,000 nits.

Chemical Treatments vs. Pesticide-Free Head Lice Treatments

The most critical step in eliminating a head lice infestation is using an effective lice treatment. Over-the-counter lice shampoos dominated the market for decades, but are finally losing popularity. Lice have become resistant to these toxic chemicals, and the products are no longer very effective.

Many of these OTC products contain ingredients called pyrethroids. These are the same synthetic chemicals found in many pesticides. The most common ingredient, permethrin, has been shown to be carcinogenic. It has other health hazards, including allergic reactions, headaches, dizziness, hyperactivity and seizures.

Fortunately, the most effective way to kill head lice is with a pesticide-free head lice treatment called AirAllé. Instead of chemicals, this FDA-cleared device uses heated air to dehydrate and destroy lice and their eggs. This treatment has been clinically shown to be 99.2% effective, while OTC products containing permethrin are only 45% effective at best.

Pesticide-Free Lice Treatment in Jacksonville, Orlando and Savannah

So while head lice won’t go away on its own, there’s no need to despair. In a painless one-hour session, Fresh Heads can solve your lice problem. One of our technicians will treat the entire scalp with warm air from the device. That is followed by a traditional comb-out to remove the dehydrated eggs and a pleasant post-rinse application. Visit our Facts & FAQs page to learn more about head lice and the most effective ways to treat it.

young girl hugs kittens and dog

Can My Pet Get Head Lice?

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The first thing on parents’ minds when a child comes home with lice is head lice removal. The second is probably containment. It’s natural to worry about head lice spreading to other family members. But what about the family pet? You might be wondering if your dog or cat can get head lice from your child or vice versa.

Can My Pet Get Head Lice?

We are happy to report that, no, your furry friend can’t catch lice from your child and won’t need head lice removal. That’s because lice do not spread from one species to another. Lice happen to be a species-specific ectoparasite.

The lice that humans can carry are called Pediculus humanus capitis. The lice found on dogs is called Trichodected canis or Linognathus Setosus. On cats, the lice found is called Felicola subrostrata. Each of these is a completely different pest that requires the specific blood and body temperatures of the species they survive on.

Even though there are animal-specific lice, they are not commonly found on household pets. They are far more likely to catch fleas than lice. In the rare case that your pet did contract lice, they would not be able to pass it on to any humans in the family. It’s also very unlikely that your pet would be able to transfer human head lice from one family member to another. Head lice simply don’t live very long once they can’t feed off human blood.

Fortunately, all of this means that if your child comes home with lice, head lice removal for your four-legged friend won’t be necessary.

Lice Symptoms for Pets

If you think that your pet contracted species-specific lice, you should contact your veterinarian for a screening. They will be able to check for lice, fleas, ticks, and other ectoparasites. Signs that your pet may have lice include itchiness, scratching, rubbing or biting skin, hair loss and a dry coat.

If your pet is found to have lice, there’s no need to panic that it will spread through your home. Your vet will prescribe the most effective lice removal treatment. Most importantly, don’t try to treat your pet with over the counter medications or pesticides that could harm them.

Head Lice Removal

Now that you know you don’t have to worry about Fido, just check your children periodically for lice. If they or another family member may have head lice, have them screened as soon as possible. Fresh Heads lice treatment centers offer head checks for the entire family. Our technicians will carefully inspect for any signs of head lice. If head lice removal is necessary, we offer a range of treatment options to suit your needs. For an appointment or for more information, please contact us at any of our Jacksonville, Orlando, or Savannah locations!

Jacksonville & Jacksonville Beach: (904) 517-4087
Orlando: (407) 618-1175
Savannah: (912) 988-4099

 

Sources:
https://www.capcvet.org/guidelines/lice/
http://www.aavp.org/wiki/arthropods/insects/hemiptera-bugs/phthiraptera-lice/felicola-subrostratus/

vial of purple poison

The Dangers of Over the Counter Lice Treatments

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When your child comes home with lice, your first instinct might be to run to the nearest drug store for a remedy. It’s understandable. You’re a bit panicked and that sounds like the fastest solution. We’d like to stop you in your tracks, though. Not only are over the counter (OTC) pesticide products ineffective, they’re also hazardous to your child’s health. Choosing a chemical-free head lice treatment is the wisest choice for your family. Here’s why.

OTC Lice Treatments Are Less Effective

Pesticide-type products have dominated the US lice treatment market for decades. Permethrin is a synthetically made pyrethroid that was once quite effective at killing lice. But scientific research has found that head lice have adapted over the years and developed a resistance to such chemicals. The efficacy rating of permethrin is now an underwhelming 20-30% in recent clinical studies, as chemical-resistant super lice spread across the country.

Chemical OTC Treatments Proven to Be Hazardous to Your Health

If the low rate of effectiveness isn’t enough to give you pause, the health hazards surely will be. Permethrin and lindane are the chemicals found most commonly in lice treatments, and both of them are proven to be toxic.

Permethrin is a neurotoxin that is found in many insecticides, including Raid. It is potentially carcinogenic and can cause the following alarming side effects:

  • Wheezing or coughing
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Skin irritation burning
  • Scalp irritation or burning
  • May affect the reproductive system
  • Nervous system symptoms such as excitability and convulsions
  • Allergic reaction

Lindane is a dangerous chemical that attacks the nervous system and is known to cause cancer. What makes it even more troubling is that it is easily absorbed through the scalp when used to treat lice. In 2015, the World Health Organization reclassified lindane from being a “possible carcinogenic” to “known to cause human cancer.” This is the WHO’s highest category of concern. Lindane can cause serious side effects such as:

  • Stinging, burning and itching of the skin
  • Rashes
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Uncontrollable bodily shaking
  • Allergic reaction

Chemical-Free Head Lice Treatment

It’s clear to see that over the counter pesticides are simply too dangerous to use on your family. And when there are nontoxic treatment options available that are also more effective, it’s a no-brainer. Lice combing and herbal remedies are safe options, but the most effective weapon against lice is actually using heated air.

The professional AirAllé lice device was specifically designed to dehydrate lice and their eggs with warm air. It is FDA-cleared and has been proven to be safe and effective at killing lice and their eggs—with a 99.2% rate of efficacy.

Fresh Heads Lice Treatment Centers are proud to provide solely chemical-free head lice treatments to our clients. The AirAllé treatment is our signature treatment at all of our locations. It’s fast, easy and so effective that it’s backed by our 45-day retreatment policy. If your child comes home with lice, make Fresh Heads your treatment of choice.

Sources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/11810582/Super-head-lice-warning-as-scientists-discover-almost-all-species-are-resistant-to-treatments.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/head-lice-most-used-treatments-no-longer-very-effective-scientists-say-1.2776917
http://www.anapsid.org/pyrethroids.html
http://www.rxlist.com/lindane-lotion-side-effects-drug-center.htm

caution sign

Dangerous Home Remedies for Head Lice

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When looking for ways to treat head lice, some parents turn to home remedies that they’ve heard from a friend or read on the internet. Sure, some seem pretty harmless—like olive oil or certain essential oils. But some of the head lice treatment suggestions out there are downright dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

DON’T use flammable substances to treat head lice.

One of the most hazardous home remedies you can find online calls for using kerosene or gasoline to kill head lice. Children have been severely burned and disfigured when hair that has been soaked in these flammable substances has caught on fire. As the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly states, “Highly flammable substances, such as gasoline or kerosene, or products intended for animal use, are never appropriate in the treatment of head lice in humans.”

Be cautious with “natural” remedies.

While more natural home remedies for head lice treatment seem benign at first glance, they can also pose a terrible risk. Using oils like mayonnaise and olive oil in an attempt to suffocate head lice usually involves wrapping the child’s head with some type of plastic wrap or bag. Unfortunately, this can result in accidental suffocation.

The use of essential oils like tea tree oil may also be toxic if not used properly. Poison.org says that tee tree oil can be poisonous when ingested, and it should not be used around the mouth or nose. If a child accidentally swallowed a small amount of tee tree oil, the results could be tragic.

DON’T use pesticides.

Another dangerous remedy that has been used to attempt to treat head lice at home is the use of pesticides. Whether they are pesticides designed for insects or actually designed to treat human head lice, they should never be used. Some of the ingredients in these pesticide treatments, such as lindane, are extremely toxic and have been shown to cause headaches, cancer, seizures, and even death.

Safe Options

Before you throw in the towel, there are safe head lice treatment options out there that work! One of the most effective treatments is called AirAllé. It’s a device that uses warm air to dehydrate and kill head lice, and it has been clinically proven to kill live lice and more than 99% of their eggs. The treatment lasts about an hour and it has been cleared by the FDA. It’s safe and gentle enough to treat small children.

It’s never a good idea to use toxic and potentially hazardous methods to treat children for head lice. For more information about the completely safe and effective AirAllé head lice treatment, visit our Facts and FAQ page