Finding lice in your hair can be upsetting and stressful. If you have an upcoming hair coloring appointment, you may wonder if the hair dye will kill lice. Or if you should color your hair first as a DIY lice treatment.
While strong chemical processing can theoretically harm lice, dyeing hair is not considered an effective way to get rid of an infestation. There are safer, more reliable methods.
This article will cover:
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Does hair dye kill lice and nits?
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Is it safe to dye hair when you have lice?
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What are effective lice treatment options?
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How to prevent and check for head lice.
Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between hair color and head lice.
Does Hair Dye Kill Lice and Nits?
There is some debate over whether hair dye can kill head lice. The internet is filled with home remedies suggesting using dye to suffocate or chemically burn lice. But the evidence that hair colorant eliminates lice is shaky and inconclusive.
Here are some key points on hair dye and lice:
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The chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dye formulas can be harsh and damaging to hair shafts and strands. Some sources speculate this damage could also disrupt lice gripping onto hair.
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However, there is limited research confirming hair dye is reliably lethal to lice in real-world use. Anecdotal evidence is mixed.
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The amount of processing time is likely a factor. But keeping dye on long enough to penetrate lice shells poses risks like skin irritation.
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Hair dye doesn’t kill lice eggs (nits) attached to the hair, which can hatch later. Multiple treatments are required to terminate the life cycle.
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Over-processing hair with bleach or dye can cause chemical burns on the scalp in sensitive individuals.
Overall, hair dye alone has unproven effectiveness and safety as a DIY lice treatment. While it may seem appealing, exercise caution using chemicals off-label in this way.
Is It Safe to Dye Hair When You Have Lice?
You may have a coloring service already booked and want to know if you should still go. Is it safe to dye hair when you have an active lice infestation?
The short answer is yes—but take some precautions. Here are tips for coloring hair when lice is present:
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Inform your colorist so they can take steps to avoid spreading lice. They may glove up or use disposable applicator tools.
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Opt for highlight foils since they create a barrier between sections of hair. This helps prevent transferring lice.
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Skip gloss treatments that are applied all-over and could spread nits. Opt for full color instead.
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Treat lice using an OTC or prescription product before having your hair colored. This eliminates live bugs.
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Use heat tools like blow dryers on the hottest setting to help deter lice before a salon visit.
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Shampoo with tea tree oil shampoo, which may help repel lice from migrating during dyeing.
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Wear a tight hair cap immediately after dyeing to keep any remaining lice contained.
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Carefully discard any accessories, towels, robes, or other items that touched infested hair to prevent reinfestation.
By informing your stylist and taking safety measures, you can safely color hair and get rid of lice. But hair dye itself should not be used as the sole treatment method.
Effective Lice Treatment Options
While hair dye is not considered an effective anti-lice treatment, there are proven options that kill lice and nits safely.
Over-the-Counter Medicated Shampoos
Products like Rid, Nix, and store brands contain insecticide ingredients like permethrin or pyrethrins that kill live lice on contact. Follow instructions closely.
Prescription Medications
Prescription topical drugs like Ovide, Sklice and Ulesfia are powerful and may be better for severe cases. A doctor’s supervision is ideal.
Non-Medicated Suffocation Methods
Coating hair in thick substances like petroleum jelly, olive oil, or mayonnaise can smother lice. But you must coat every single strand thoroughly.
Lice Combs
Special fine-tooth lice combs are very effective when used properly to mechanically remove lice and nits from the hair shafts.
Heat Tools
Blow drying hair on the hottest setting possible can overheat and dehydrate lice. Similarly, flat irons or curling wands set to 400°F+ may damage lice.
Combining chemical treatments, combing, and heat is best to fully terminate an existing lice infestation. Hair dye alone is generally not enough.
Preventing and Checking for Lice in Hair
Here are some tips to avoid getting head lice in the first place:
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Teach children not to share hats, hair accessories, brushes, towels and other personal items with others at school or sleepovers where lice spread easily.
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Keep long hair pulled back or braided at school and camp.
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Check every 2-3 weeks by parting hair in small sections to look for nits (eggs) clinging near the scalp, especially at the nape of the neck and behind the ears.
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Act quickly using an OTC treatment if lice are found to prevent spreading. Be sure to treat all family members.
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Use essential oils like tea tree, lavender, rosemary or peppermint applied to the scalp may help repel lice.
Vigilance and early intervention are key to keeping lice at bay. While hair dye is not an advisable treatment, being aware of lice and treating them promptly reduces risk. Maintain open communication with your colorist as well.
The Takeaway
Does hair dye kill lice? The bottom line:
✔️ Hair dye alone has limited evidence in killing lice and eggs effectively or safely. Exercise caution.
✔️ It’s okay to dye hair with an active infestation IF proper precautions are taken to contain lice and avoid spreading.
✔️ Always use medically-proven OTC or prescription lice treatments as directed to clear infestations.
✔️ Prevent lice by avoiding head-to-head contact, not sharing items, and routinely checking the scalp.
While hair dye likely won’t cure a lice problem, you can safely color your hair by working closely with your stylist to implement safety measures. But leave the actual lice termination to the proven medicated options. Stay vigilant and act quickly when lice are spotted to keep them under control.