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young children playing outside in Jacksonville

How to Get Rid of Head Lice Safely and Quickly

Everyone wants to get rid of head lice as quick as possible, but they can be persistent little buggers! Many people turn to shampoos and other chemical methods that can not only be harsh, but are becoming less effective.  So with these chemical-based treatments becoming less effective, what is the best way to get rid of head lice safely and quickly?

The AirAllé® Machine Is the Most Effective Way to Get Rid of Head Lice

Fresh Heads’ AirAllé® machine is an FDA-cleared medical machine that is highly effective at killing head lice and their eggs in one treatment. It has proven to be 99.2% in a single treatment, and it does it without any chemicals or pesticides! The AirAllé® machine blasts lice and their eggs with carefully controlled warm air. This dehydrates and ultimately kills the lice and their eggs. This simple method is not only safer than chemical treatments ands shampoos, it is much more effective.

Winning the War Against Lice

According to the CDC, 6 million to 12 million children in the U.S. get head lice every year. Head lice affect everyone regardless of gender, race, cleanliness, or wealth. Unfortunately, the old, chemical-based methods for removing lice backfired and created a new form of pesticide-resistant lice known as Super Lice. In Scientific American’s aptly titled article, Revenge of the Super Lice: “Overexposure to insecticides has bred resistance in the parasites, making it harder than ever to treat infestation.”

Head lice are no laughing matter. The longer they’re there on the scalp, the more uncomfortable it gets. Worse yet, more people will be at risk if the lice and their eggs aren’t removed as soon as possible.

The AirAllé® treatment is equally effective against regular head lice and these pesticide-resistant Super Lice.

Call Fresh Heads to Get Rid of Head Lice Quickly and Safely

Are you wary of chemical treatments or have you tried them already? Chemical treatments, hair dyes, home remedies, and other untested techniques can range from simply ineffective to downright dangerous. Fresh Heads Lice Treatment Centers are here for you with a safe, effective alternative that is 100% chemical-free. Our AirAllé® treatment is 99.2% effective at killing head lice and their eggs in one treatment. Call us today to schedule your appointment!

hair dye being applied to kill head lice

Does Hair Dye Kill Head Lice?

Does getting your hair dyed count as head lice treatment? We get this question from a lot of people who come our lice treatment centers. After all, when you’re getting your hair dyed, you can smell the strong scent of the hair-coloring chemicals and even feel it on your scalp. It’s powerful stuff. Could lice survive that kind of bombardment? It seems like just the thing that’d wipe them out, but is it actually effective?

Can Hair Dye Kill lice?

There have been no tests on hair dyes to check their effectiveness in killing head lice. One thing that’s certain is that they cannot treat or prevent a head lice infestation for one very simple reason…

Hair Dyes Don’t Kill Lice Eggs (Nits)

Even if head lice were proven to be able to kill head lice, their eggs are another thing entirely. Laid at the base of hair shafts against the scalp, there is a protective encasing around lice eggs. They are incredibly resilient and hard to kill, even with chemical head lice treatments.

Even if all the adult lice are gone, the eggs will just hatch and spawn a new generation of crawlers. Female lice lay up to six eggs every day for about 30 days. If you kill one after four days, that’s 24 eggs waiting to hatch that the hair dye has no effect on. Not even medicated shampoos that kill adult lice can kill eggs. They require more thorough treatments.

Strong Hair Dyes Are Dangerous for Kids

Another important thing to consider is that, while kids are prone to having head lice, they’re also too young for hair dyes with powerful chemicals. In an article for Today, pediatric dermatologist Dr. Tace Rico says the strong chemicals found in some hair dyes, such as ammonia, bleach and hydrogen peroxide can damage kids hair which tends to be very fine. Parents should also be wary of allergic skin reactions and have the kids undergo spot tests before treatment. Save the stronger dyes until the kids are at least 16, Rico added.

Come to Fresh Heads for the Most Effective Head Lice Treatment

Hair dyes won’t kill eggs and prevent head lice reinfestation. Not only that, but the harshest dyes are not suitable for kids who are most at risk of head lice infestations in the first place!

For adults who want a new look, go ahead – lice or no lice! But in order to actually eliminate head lice and their eggs, and for all cases of lice involving children, it’s best to seek a specialized treatment that’s thorough, safe, non-toxic and effective. That’s what we’re here for. Contact Fresh Heads Head Lice Removal Center today to schedule an appointment for our completely natural, chemical-free head lice treatment. It’s proven effective at killing lice and their eggs in a single treatment.

A pond and Ferris wheel in Orlando

How to Get Rid of Head Lice in Orlando

Every day we have frantic parents asking us how to get rid of head lice in Orlando. They’ve been bombarded with misinformation and ineffective lice treatment tips. So, what’s a parent to do? There’s one clear answer for treating head lice in Orlando— Fresh Heads.

The Dangers of OTC Lice Treatment Products

Want to know how to get rid of head lice in Orlando? It’s traditionally been attempted with the use of harsh chemicals and OTC lice shampoos. But these products are never the answer to treating head lice. Their toxic ingredients cause serious health problems in both children and adults. Many, such as lindane, have been shown to cause cancer. Some of the other alarming side effects of OTC lice treatments include:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Wheezing/coughing
  • Damage to the nervous, reproductive and hormonal systems
  • Hives
  • Runny/stuffy nose
  • Scalp irritation or burning
  • Skin redness and burning
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • Excitability and convulsions

What is Super Lice and Why Won’t Chemicals Kill It?

Certain strains of head lice have become drug-resistant. These have become known as “super lice” and they are seriously stubborn. These super lice that were once treatable by OTC remedies can now survive most chemical products on the market. That’s why getting rid of head lice in Orlando is best left to the experts at Fresh Heads.

AirAllé— The Best Way to Get Rid of Head Lice in Orlando.

AirAllé is the most effective, non-toxic answer to head lice removal. This FDA-cleared, science-based treatment kills lice and eggs in their tracks. It combines a precisely formulated combination of heat, air flow, time and technique to kill head lice and its eggs through dehydration.

Our Signature Treatment

The Signature AirAllé treatment at Fresh Heads begins with a 30-minute warm air session. One of our expert technicians goes gently over the entire head using the hand-held device as it blows dry, heated air. This process kills the head lice and its eggs. The technician then performs a thorough comb-out to ensure that the dehydrated eggs that are left behind are removed. A special conditioning rinse is the final step of this pleasant and effective lice treatment.

AirAllé is gentle on your family and it’s the most powerful tool against head lice. Check out this comparison chart and see for yourself. Fresh Heads’ signature AirAllé treatment is more than twice as effective at killing head lice than traditional OTC products!

Contact Fresh Heads Lice Treatment Center for Help

Figuring out how to get rid of head lice in Orlando isn’t as stressful as it once was. Leave it to the experts at Fresh Heads Lice Treatment Center! We provide seriously effective head lice treatment without all the hassle. You can sleep at night knowing that your child wasn’t exposed to hazardous chemicals. Call today to learn more about our treatments or to schedule an appointment!

housecleaning after head lice infestation

How to Get Rid of Lice in Your Home

The only thing more daunting than treating your family for a head lice infestation is the thought of sanitizing your entire home. Fortunately, the main way head lice is spread is from direct head-to-head contact and you aren’t very likely to catch it from household items. Still, you might want to clean some items in your home once your family has been successfully treated for lice.

The Life Span of Head Lice

Head lice can’t survive more than 24-48 hours when they aren’t on a human host. This is an important fact to keep in mind. It means you’ll only need to clean what an infested person has been in contact within the past couple days.

What to Clean During a Head Lice Infestation

Fortunately, you won’t need to clean every single item in your house. But there are some important items you’ll want to be sure to take care of. Here’s a list of what should be sanitized after a head lice infestation and the best way to do it.

1. Brushes, Combs and Hair Accessories. Round up any hair care items such as brushes, combs, barrettes, and headbands that have been used in the last 24-48 hours. Place them in a sealed plastic bag. Then place the bag in the freezer for 24 hours to kill any lice and eggs. Alternatively, you can place the items in hot water—at least 130 degrees—for about 10 minutes to eliminate lice.

2. You’ll want to clean any clothing that has been worn in the last 24-48 hours, including any clothes that were worn during treatment. Wash them in hot water and then put them in the dryer. The heat from the washer and dryer will effectively kill lice and nits. Throw any hats, scarves or accessories you’ve worn in the last 48 hours into the dryer for at least 30 minutes.

3. Stuffed Animals. Since your child’s favorite stuffed animals have likely come in contact with his or her head. The easiest way to do this is to place them in the hot dryer for at least 30 minutes. The dry air will dehydrate any lice that have been left behind.

4. It’s best to wash any bedding that has been slept on in the last 24-48 hours. Wash all pillowcases, sheets, and duvets in hot water. Finish them off by drying on the high heat setting until thoroughly dry.

5. Furniture, Carpets, and Household Items. For larger items and things that can’t be placed in the washer and dryer, vacuuming or bagging is best. Vacuum upholstered chairs and sofas that may have come in contact with head lice in the last two days. Vacuum floors and carpets thoroughly. Sealed for 48 hours, any large pillows and cushions can also be placed in garbage bags.

How to Treat a Head Lice Infestation

The first step to tackling a head lice infestation is finding an effective treatment for the family. For safe, nontoxic treatment that works, call the pros at Fresh Heads Lice Treatment Centers. Our technicians are expertly trained to remove head lice using our signature AirAllé treatment. Within locations at Jacksonville, Orlando, and Savannah. This revolutionary, FDA-cleared treatment uses heated air to dehydrate and kill head lice and their eggs. It’s quick, convenient and safe for the whole family. Schedule an appointment at one of our locations today.

laundry machines for killing lice in your home

3 Steps to Killing Lice in Your Home

In your quest to rid lice from your life, you’ve cleared the hurdle of ensuring everyone in your household’s hair is free and clear. Now you’re left wondering how to kill head lice in your home to avoid a re-infestation. The good news is that contrary to what you may have heard, you don’t have to go crazy deep-cleaning and boiling everything in sight. It may seem daunting at first, but killing lice in your home doesn’t have to require an enormous amount of time and energy.

The one comforting thing to realize is that head lice do not survive long when not on a human because they can no longer feed. That said, there are a few steps you can take around the house for killing lice in your home to reduce the chance of these annoying pests making a comeback.

  1. Machine wash and dry on high heat all clothing, bed linens, stuffed animals and other items that were used by the person infested with head lice within the 48 hours prior to their treatment. If it’s clothing or items that can’t be machine washed, you can opt to have them dry cleaned or you can seal them in a plastic bag and store for two weeks.
  1. Soak all hair care items like combs, brushes, barrettes, and clips in very hot water that is at least 130 degrees for 5-10 minutes.
  1. Thoroughly vacuum the floor and any furniture, such as mattresses and sofas, where the infested person sat or laid down on.

Since head lice can only survive one or two days off of the human body, the chances of a person becoming infested from a louse or nit that has fallen onto the floor or furniture are slim. It’s also great news that head lice will not survive on pets, so there’s no need to treat them. These basic housekeeping steps will help ensure that you kill head lice in your home, and give you peace of mind that you’ve done all you can to avoid a re-infestation.

If you’re dealing with head lice, call the experts. Fresh Heads is a science and research-based treatment center dedicated to helping you find the most effective treatment for lice!

girl receiving airalle head lice treatment

How to Kill Nits

Truly, killing lice eggs is MUCH more difficult than killing the bugs.  Even the best prescription pesticide is only 73% effective at killing the nits.  The AirAllé™ head lice treatment is currently the only treatment option available that is clinically proven to kill nits entirely.  This treatment is available exclusively at Fresh Heads Lice Removal.  The AirAllé™ treatment takes about 30 minutes to complete and requires no follow-up.  For these reasons, it is our most popular treatment option.

Another way to kill lice eggs is a very thorough manual comb out.  If you are attempting to manually comb nits out of the hair, you need to be ready to comb diligently for 10 days, while also treating every five days with a dimethicone oil treatment.  This way, you kill any hatchlings before they mature to lay new eggs while combing out any remaining nits before they hatch.  It can be done, but it is hard work.

head lice treatment products and nit comb

So What DOES Kill Head Lice?

There is good news!  At Fresh Heads, we recommend the use of a silicone oil solution to suffocate lice.  The use of a blended Dimethicone Oil solution specifically formulated to kill head lice is the most effective treatment option currently available.  In a blind study, the use of a properly formulated blend of dimethicone is shown to be incredibly effective at killing live lice.  Additionally, this treatment is inexpensive and completely non-toxic.  Dimethicone will not, however, kill nits.  Fresh Heads uses Dimethicone in all our treatments, and we offer it for sale to the do-it-yourselfer.

housecleaning after head lice infestation

How to Clean Your House After a Lice Infestation

Most parents who are dealing with a Head Lice Infestation are overly concerned about the house cleaning that they think they must do. At Fresh Heads Lice Removal of Jacksonville, we spend quite a bit of time educating our families, and most of the time, the families we help have done way more cleaning than they really needed to do. Here’s why:

Head Lice are a parasite, they require their host, and the host is the human head. If a louse comes off of a human head, it begins to die very quickly. In fact, after about 6 hours off of a human head, a louse will be so severely dehydrated that it would have a very difficult time crawling back onto a head, even if it had the chance. They cannot survive at all off of a head for more than 24-30 hours. Likewise, nits or lice eggs are glued to the hair shaft, typically about 1/8th of an inch from the scalp. The heat from the scalp incubates those eggs, and as soon as the baby louse hatches from the egg, it heads directly to the scalp where it belongs. If a hair that happened to have a nit glued to it fell out, that nit would quickly get cold and die. Lice are smart. They have been around for thousands of years, and they know where they belong. They are not crawling all over your house!

With that being said, the CDC estimates that of the 6-12 million cases of lice that occur in the U.S. each year, 98% of those cases are contracted via direct head-to-head contact. The remaining 2% could come from a contaminated environment, like a shared hat or hairbrush. To be extra cautious, you should follow these simple housecleaning tips:

–Wash All bed sheets and blankets in hot water
–Wash all clothes that have been worn in the last day or so, or that are lying on the floor
–Place stuffed animals, throw pillows and throw blankets in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes
–Vacuum all sofas, chairs, car seats, large pillows, carpets and area rugs
–Clean all of the hair out of your hairbrushes, place them in a ziplock baggie and freeze them overnight.
–Bag up all hair accessories for 24 hours

The truth is, when you are dealing with a head lice infestation, the hard part is on the head, not in your house. Fresh Heads Lice Removal in Jacksonville, FL is the exclusive provider of the revolutionary AirAlle head lice treatment, the lowest cost traditional comb-out anywhere in Florida, and amazing tools for the do-it-yourselfer. We are Jacksonville’s top choice for Head Lice Treatment!