Does Hairspray Kill Head Lice?

The news that your child has head lice is something no parent ever wants to hear. The process of delousing a family is exhausting and miles from enjoyable. This is why many parents choose to prevent head lice from visiting in the first place using methods and products designed to detract lice from their child’s scalp. Some believe that tea tree oil products prevent head lice and some wonder: Does hairspray kill head lice?

If you’re looking for ways to keep lice out of your house this school year, keep reading for the answers you need to minimize your chances of dealing with these annoying little pests.

How Children Contract Head Lice

Head lice are typically only transmitted from head to head, meaning your child came into contact with another child who had head lice. Studies have shown that lice are generally not transmitted from sharing hats, combs, or brushes. When head lice are discovered, most schools immediately send children home and won’t allow them to return until no nits (the eggs of head lice) are present. Recently, however, the AAP has recommended against the “no nit” policy, stating that: Children should “finish the school day, be treated, and return to school.”

Does Hairspray Kill Head Lice?

You may head heard that hairspray can be used to kill head lice, and in part this is true. While hairspray won’t help with an active case of head lice, it can be used as a preventative measure. The truth is that head lice have a hard time sticking to hair that has been sprayed with hairspray, so it’s not a bad idea to use it to style your child’s hair and prevent head lice as a benefit. However, there are other effective measures like tea tree oil that you can use to support scalp health.

Products for Scalp Support With Head Lice

If you’re dealing with head lice and need to delouse your child, or you’re looking for products that will prevent a case of head lice, we have you covered.

Wild Child Quit Nits Complete Head Lice Kit

Should head lice make their way home with your child, Wild Child Quit Nits Complete Head Lice Kit from Hylands will soothe and cleanse your kiddo’s scalp quickly. Using a homeopathic formula, this products helps support scalp health during a lice outbreak without using harsh chemicals.

Lice be Gone Spray

Lice Be Gone Spray from Touch of Earth uses a blend of essential oils such as aloe vera, tea tree, and lavender along with other soothing ingredients to support a healthy scalp during lice outbreaks. It can also be sprayed in a mixture of water to detract head lice at school.

Head Lice B Gone Synergistic Blend

Using a blend of tea tree, geranium, lavender, lemon, manuka, and rosemary oils Lice Be Gone Synergistic Blend from Wyndmere Essential Oils provides help for head lice. To use, add 30 drops to an ounce of carrier oil and apply to hair, shampooing after 30 minutes.

Does hairspray kill head lice? Not really, but it can help with prevention, along with other tested, natural products. If you have questions or thoughts about on dealing with head lice, leave them in the comments section below.