Does hair bleach kill lice? Well! Head lice can infect anybody with hair. The greatest danger of lice infestation is for children attending nursery and kindergarten programs and their parents and guardians.
Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that dwell in hair and on people’s scalps. They are about the diameter of a sesame seed and come in a variety of hues, from translucent white to brown.
This content will talk about different ways to get rid of head lice. Let’s start with the basics:
About Head Lice
Lice feed on human blood and require it to live. The scalp is where they may survive for 30 days or longer. They lay three to five white nits/lice eggs each day.
There have been no studies on the impact of hair dye on head lice infestation. However, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that might remove them. Hair dye, on the other hand, does not kill head lice or nits.
How Hair Dye Affects Lice?
Hair dye comes in a variety of forms. Permanent hair dye is used to destroy lice.
Hair dyes, for example, are permanent dyes that include ammonia. Ammonia is an alkaline chemical that generates a harsh gas when exposed to air. Hair dye may be productive to kill head lice.
Hydrogen peroxide, which has a more long-lasting effect, is also used to treat this issue.
A hard shell protects nits.
The chemicals in hair dye can’t break through the shell or detach the natural glue-like substance that holds the shells to hair. That’s why permanent hair dyes are not capable of removing nits before they hatch.
Does Hair Bleach Kill Lice?
Bleach damages hair by removing color. It also includes hydrogen and stearyl alcohol, which may assist with treating lice on the scalp. The strong chemicals in hair bleach kill head lice as they help eradicate lice from the scalp, but they are not very advantageous in terms of nits removal because they do not work well against nits.
Related: How Long to Leave Bleach in Hair 30 Vol?
How Hair Dye May Kill Lice?
If you want to try using hair color to remove lice fast, it is advised that you apply the hair dye every week until the nits and lice are completely gone.
Combining bleaching or dyeing your hair with additional lice removal treatment, such as using vinegar or combing.
Keep in mind that there is currently no scientific evidence that supports the use of vinegar to kill lice eggs or loosen the glue that connects nits to the hair. Anecdotal evidence may suggest that vinegar kills immature lice.
If you’d want to give hair dye a go as a lice treatment, follow these guidelines:
- To remove most lice, start with vinegar. Wet your entire scalp using a 50 – 50 mixture of vinegar and warm water. The acidity in the solution should be at least 5%. Use the vinegar solution to work it down each hair shaft at the nape of the neck, behind the ears, and near the scalp. Leave the solution for 5 to 15 minutes. Wash it off if you feel a burning sensation.
- Hot water should rinse the water solution and vinegar out of your hair
- Remove as many nits and live lice from your hair using lice comb. Before reusing the lice comb, clean it in very hot water and soak it overnight
- In a well-ventilated area, combine the hair dye following the instructions on the package.
- Pour the dye on your scalp. Concentrate on the same regions as you did with the vinegar treatment: at the base of your skull, behind and around the ears, and the nape of your neck.
- Rinse the hair color thoroughly.
- Comb your hair once more with hair brushes or head lice comb.
- To dry your hair, use a hot hairdryer. This can aid in killing lice that may be left behind.
- If you can’t remove every nit within an inch or two of the scalp, you will likely have lice again in about seven days due to the head lice cycle.
- If you have lice on your hair, it won’t deter them or keep you from getting infected if you reencounter them.
Related: Should I Wash My Hair Before a Haircut?
Safety Precautions
Permanent dyes can alter your natural hair color through chemical reactions. They can also induce allergic responses and irritate your scalp. The face, neck, and scalp may experience the following side effects:
- Welts or hives
- Swelling
- Burning Redness
- Nasty Chemical Burns
- Itching
If you color your hair or bleach it more than once a month, you might damage it and cause it to thicken or dry hair
When applying these products to your hair, remember to use the disposable gloves that usually come with them to safeguard your hands and other body regions you may touch.
Make sure no product gets into your mouth, nose, or eyes. It is also crucial to avoid breathing in the fumes produced by hair dyes. Always dye your hair in a well-ventilated area to ensure that you do not inhale any strong chemicals.
Hair bleaches and dyes are not advised for use as a lice-removal solution in children. A child’s head is usually more delicate in texture than adult hair, making it more vulnerable to chemical damage from bleaches and dyes.
Children’s hair may be more susceptible to chemical reactions that affect the airways, eyes, hair, and scalp.
Other Lice Treatments
There are a plethora of at-home lice treatments, and each one has its own set of pros and cons. You may need to test numerous before finding the suitable ones for you.
Some adult lice are becoming resistant to common therapies such as stearyl alcohol and medicated lice shampoo, typical for insects. The manual removal of nits and lice using a fine-toothed lice comb is required for all home head lice treatments.
You can include any head lice treatment:
- Nix and other over-the-counter super lice treatment products contain a variety of insecticides, some of which may not be safe for nursing and pregnant women, small children, toddlers, or infants. If you have any doubts, talk to your doctor
- Head lice may be suffocated by applying mayonnaise, olive oil, or tea tree oil to the scalp. This unscientific remedy, which has not been proved successful, demands that you allow mayonnaise or olive oil to sit on the hair for 24 to 48 hours under a shower cap. It is possible that braiding long hair or pinning it up after treating the scalp will assist.
- Coconut oil has not been scientifically proved to work, but it is non-toxic and natural. Try applying coconut oil after treating your hair with a vinegar solution to improve the efficacy.
- You can repel lice by using essential oils such as rosemary, lavender, peppermint, or tea tree oil. You can go for essential oils diluted in any carrier oil as a smothering treatment.
- If home treatments such as harsh combing and Nix do not work, talk to a doctor about prescription medicines that may assist.
Related: How often can I Bleach My Hair?
FAQs
What kills lice instantly in hair?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as different lice treatments work in different ways. Some common head lice treatments use insecticides, which can kill lice instantly.
However, these treatments may not be appropriate for baby lice, toddlers, small children, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Besides, hair bleach kill lice eggs too!
Do lice like bleached hair?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that head lice prefer bleached/dyed hair over any other type of hair. However, bleaching hair may make it more prone to damage from the chemicals in hair dye or bleach products, which can cause irritation and allergic reactions. It is also important to avoid breathing in the fumes emitted by hair dyes.
Does swimming in a chlorinated pool kill lice?
Swimming in a chlorinated pool is not a reliable way to kill head lice. In fact, chlorine can actually make the lice stronger and more resistant to treatment. To effectively get rid of lice, you will need to use an over-the-counter head lice elimination kit or a prescription medication.
Does chlorinated water kill lice?
Chlorinated water is not a suitable solution to kill head lice. It may make the lice stronger. You can visit the doctor for the prescription medication at lice clinics.
Why is it so hard to get rid of lice?
Lice have become increasingly resistant to specific treatments in recent years, making it harder to get rid of them. Lice are pesky creatures that can be difficult to get rid of, but you can finally be lice-free with patience and perseverance.
Related: 25 Best Protective Hairstyles for White Hair
What’s the fastest way to get rid of lice?
The fastest way for lice removal is to use an over-the-counter lice elimination kit. These kits usually come with medicated shampoos and a nit comb, and they can be effective in just one treatment. However, some lice are becoming resistant to these treatments, so you may need to try a few different products before finding one that works for you.
Does hydrogen peroxide kill lice?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that hydrogen peroxide is an effective lice treatment. However, it is a natural and non-toxic product, so it may be worth trying as a lice removal treatment. Besides, you can try clorox bleach.
Does blonde hair dye kill lice?
Blonde hair dye is not the best solution, but it has been known to work. Follow the directions on the package and test a small area first.
Does heat kill lice?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that heat kills lice. However, using a hot hair dryer on the highest setting may help to loosen the lice from the hair shafts, making them easier to comb out. You need to hold the hairdryer about 6 inches away from the head and move it around constantly. Be sure to keep the nozzle moving, so you do not accidentally burn the scalp.
For the best dryer, you can choose REVLON Travel Hair Dryer. It is one of the best products you can use!
Does vinegar kill lice?
Vinegar is a natural and non-toxic product that can be used to treat lice. It may not be as effective as some chemical-based lice removal treatments, but it is a safe option for people who want to avoid using harsh chemicals. Vinegar is an ideal option if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What kill nits in hair?
In my opinion, the best way to kill lice or nits is to use prescription medication. Products like permethrin and pyrethrum are very effective in eliminating nits and lice. However, these products should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Some over-the-counter lice elimination kits contain an insecticide. These products can be effective, but they may not suit everyone.
Conclusion
Lice are pesky creatures that you cannot get rid of by using home remedies. You may have this question in your mind, “Does hair bleach kill lice?” The only way to get rid of lice is to use a product that contains an insecticide.
These products can be purchased over the counter or through a prescription from your doctor at different lice clinics. Some natural and non-toxic products can be used as treatment.
These treatments may not be as effective as chemical-based treatments, but they are a safe option for people who want to avoid using harsh chemicals.