Understanding Why Lice Can’t Be Killed with Normal Washing

Lice are resilient insects that survive most processes humans perform on scalps and hair. A head lice infestation can withstand washing, blow-drying, hair curling, or straightening. One of the reasons is that lice stay close to the scalp, where hot styling tools can’t reach them.

Furthermore, plain water and ordinary soap or shampoo will not wash them away. Lice have pinchers that help them cling to hair strands. A female louse can lay ten lice eggs per day, which she attaches to a shaft of hair using a water-resistant substance.

In the U.S., head lice infestations are common among pre-school and elementary children and household members of children infected with lice. There are about six to 12 million people who get lice outbreaks every year. Since each insect lives up to a month, a person’s scalp can take weeks to clear.

How Do You Get Rid of a Lice Infestation?

Fortunately, there are many ways you can get rid of lice, although some are more effective than others.

At-Home Treatments

While it may be tempting to try to deal with a lice infestation yourself at home, this method can have its drawbacks. For at-home treatments, your options are to try a comb-out or to try an OTC shampoo. The traditional comb-out method can take a considerable length of time if you’re not experienced at it, and you may miss some lice or nits. OTC shampoos, on the other hand, are full of harsh chemicals that aren’t even effective against the current strains of super lice. Conclusion: although it might seem convenient for you to not have to leave your home, unfortunately, the lice aren’t going to leave either.

Professional Treatments

With professional lice treatment, you can rest assured that your lice are going to be dealt with swiftly and thoroughly. We offer a traditional comb-out and our signature AirAllé treatment.

• Traditional Comb-Out

Our traditional comb-out services are performed by professionals who are trained to quickly and thoroughly rid your hair of lice and nits. This way, you can leave the brushing and shampooing to specialists.

• Signature AirAllé Treatment

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, we also offer our signature treatment using an AirAllé® machine, an FDA-cleared device proven to dehydrate and kill both adult lice and eggs in minutes.

How Do You Prevent an Infestation?

Instead of letting your guard down to the point of requiring head lice removal, you can take preventive measures. It’s not that easy to contract lice—in fact, head-to-head contact is practically the only way for an infestation to spread. However, since kids are more likely to come in close contact with each other, it puts them at a higher risk of catching lice.

If you know someone who has contracted lice, avoid coming in close contact with them. Live lice can only live for up to 24-48 hours without a human host, and eggs do not hatch once they have fallen off a scalp. If you suspect you’ve contracted head lice, focus your screening efforts on yourself and your family rather than on your home.

If you detect the outbreak early on, using insect and nit neutralizers can be an effective way to stop the spread. When choosing products, opt for those that are non-toxic and made of natural enzymes, such as the ones included in our Treatment Bundle. These break down the glue that holds the eggs in place, letting them fall from the scalp.

Get Professional Treatment for Infestations

Outdoor weather brings with it plenty of opportunities for kids to enjoy outdoor activities. Unfortunately, these activities bring kids in close and potentially head-to-head contact, meaning it carries a real chance of them contracting head lice. Prevent this by taking your child to a treatment center specializing in lice removal if you see signs of an infestation.

Head Lice Clinics in Orlando, Jacksonville, and Savannah

Be free from nits and head lice at Fresh Heads Lice Removal. We have a range of lice prevention treatments and products in Orlando and Jacksonville, FL, and Savannah, GA. Our treatments are guaranteed to eliminate infestations—our Fresh Heads Signature AirAllé Treatment even comes with a 45-day re-treatment policy. Get in touch today for more details!

Schools Without Lice

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our mission is to get rid of lice in schools across the United States. We’ve partnered with the Lice Clinics of America to create the Schools Without Lice program. Through this program, we provide school nurses and teachers with free screenings, resources, and treatments. Together, we can have schools without lice!