Found nits? First, do not panic
Finding nits or head lice can make any parent’s heart sink. Suddenly you are checking everyone’s hair, stripping beds, messaging school friends and wondering how on earth you are going to get rid of them properly.
The bad news is that head lice can be more difficult to get rid of than you are led to believe because the head lice products are increasingly ineffective.
At Hairforce, we specialise in professional, chemical-free nit and head lice removal services. We have seen every kind of infestation, from the first few lice to long-running cases where families have tried product after product and still keep finding live lice.
So, what are the different ways to get rid of nits, and which one do we recommend?
First, what is the difference between nits and head lice?
People often use “nits” and “head lice” to mean the same thing, but they are slightly different.
Head lice are the live insects that move through the hair and feed from the scalp. Nits are the eggs or egg cases attached to the hair shaft, usually close to the scalp. The only way to confirm an active infestation is to find live lice and eggs, usually by using a fine-toothed detection comb.
This matters because you need to deal with both the lice and the eggs to fully solve the problem and shut the infestation down. If you kill or remove the live lice but your eggs are left behind, they will hatch and the infestation will pick up all over again.
You can learn more about the lice life cycle on our Know the Enemy page.
1. Wet combing
Wet combing is the method most families try first. It involves washing the hair, applying plenty of conditioner, then combing carefully from root to tip with a fine-toothed detection comb.
The NHS recommends wet combing on days 1, 5, 9 and 13, then checking again on day 17 to make sure the hair is clear.
Pros:
It is chemical-free, affordable and safe for most people. It can work well when done thoroughly and repeated at the right intervals.
Cons:
It takes time, patience and very careful technique. Long, thick, curly or very fine hair can make it much harder. It is also easy to miss eggs, especially when everyone is tired and fed up.
Best for: Light infestations, early checks and families who have the time and confidence to comb thoroughly over several sessions.
2. Medicated lotions and sprays
If wet combing has not worked or is not suitable, some people try medicated lotions or sprays from a pharmacy, supermarket or online.
These products are designed to kill live head lice and are now primarily dimethicone based which claims to smother the head lice. Some come with a comb to help remove dead lice and eggs. Depending on the product, treatment may need to be repeated after a week.
Pros:
They are easy to buy and can be useful in some cases.
Cons:
They do not remove everything from the hair for you. You still need careful combing afterwards. Some families also find that products do not fully clear the problem, especially if eggs are missed or the instructions are not followed exactly.
There is also growing scientific as well as consumer evidence that head lice are increasingly resisting these products. The UK’s leading entomologist (bug expert) believes that the head lice are adapting their breathing apparatus to resist the dimethicone, and therefore are not being smothered by it after seeing head lice survive the treatments in the lab. This means that even after the application of the products, lice are still alive.
Dimethicone is oily and can be very difficult to remove from the hair requiring multiple washes or in some cases a product recommends the use of washing up liquid to remove it, stripping the hair of its essential moisture and damaging the hair as a result.
The NHS does not recommend some options, including permethrin products, head lice repellents, electric combs and plant oil treatments such as tea tree, eucalyptus and lavender oils.
Best for: Families who want a pharmacy-bought option and are happy to follow the instructions carefully, including any repeat treatment and combing.
3. Home remedies
You may have heard of people using mayonnaise, olive oil, vinegar, essential oils or other home remedies to “smother” lice or loosen nits.
We do not recommend relying on these.
They can be messy, uncomfortable and unreliable. Some can irritate the scalp, especially on children. Essential oils may sound natural, but natural does not always mean safe or effective.
Pros:
Usually easy to find at home.
Cons:
Not a reliable solution. Can waste time while the infestation continues.
Best for: We would not recommend this route.
4. Repeated checking and combing
Some families try to manage head lice by checking regularly and combing out anything they find.
This can help catch an infestation early, especially if there has been a case at school or nursery. Regular detection combing is also useful after treatment to make sure lice have not returned.
Pros:
Good for early detection. Helps stop an infestation becoming heavy.
Cons:
Checking alone will not clear an active infestation unless it is paired with more frequent thorough removal.
Best for: Ongoing monitoring after treatment or when there has been close contact with someone who has head lice.
5. Professional nit and head lice removal
Professional head lice removal is a service rather than a product. At Hairforce, our trained Lice Assassins do the hard work for you using a chemical-free, product-free process. The Hairforce do not use head lice products in their clearing process.
Our approach combines specialist technology with forensic hand clearing. First, we use a specialist louse hoover to remove crawling lice. Then we use controlled heated air technology to dehydrate the eggs. Finally, we comb and nit-pick thoroughly to remove what is left.
Because eggs can be hard to see when first laid, our process includes a second appointment 7 days later. This helps catch anything that has come through and gives families peace of mind that the infestation has been properly dealt with.
Pros:
It is chemical-free, thorough and done by experts. It is especially helpful when parents are exhausted, the infestation keeps coming back, or the hair is difficult to clear at home.
Cons:
It costs more than buying a comb or product, but many families come to us after spending time and money on treatments that did not work.
Best for: Families who want the infestation cleared properly, quickly, safely and with less stress.
So, which method do we recommend?
For light cases, careful wet combing can be a good place to start, as long as it is done properly and repeated on the right days.
But if you want the most thorough, low-stress option, we recommend professional nit and head lice removal.
Why? Because head lice are not just a “wash it once and hope for the best” problem. To get rid of them properly, you need to deal with both the live lice and the eggs. You also need to be meticulous, because just a few missed eggs can keep the cycle going.
That is exactly what our service is built for.
At Hairforce, we do not use head lice products, chemicals, pesticides or toxins. We use a professional, chemical-free process designed to remove lice and deal with the eggs properly.
When should you book a professional appointment?
You should consider booking a professional appointment if:
- You keep finding live lice after trying treatment
- You have already spent money on products that have not worked
- Your child has thick, long, curly or difficult-to-comb hair
- The infestation feels heavy or out of control
- You do not have the time, eyesight or patience to keep combing
- You simply want it dealt with properly
You can find your nearest clinic on our clinic locations page or read more about how professional head lice removal works.
FAQs
What is the fastest way to get rid of nits?
The fastest reliable route is usually professional nit and head lice removal, because trained technicians use specialist tools and meticulous hand clearing rather than leaving you to do repeated combing at home.
Can nits go away on their own?
No. If there are live lice and viable eggs, the infestation can continue. It is best to treat head lice as soon as you find them.
Do I need to keep my child off school?
NHS guidance says no, children do not need to stay off school because of head lice. The Hairforce recommend you get your child cleared quickly so you can cut down the probability of them passing it on to their friends and family in the meantime, and then risking them catching them again from those around them.
Do I need to wash all bedding and clothes on a hot wash?
The NHS guidance says no, you do not need to hot wash laundry because of head lice, but The Hairforce recommend fresh sheets, clean towel, clean whatever is worn in bed, and hoover the special toy a child sleeps with. as well as their hairbrush, so that after the hard work of clearing them nothing risks undermining that work. The main focus however is checking and treating everyone in the family.
Why do head lice keep coming back?
Usually because eggs have been missed, treatment has not worked or not been repeated correctly, or there has been close head-to-head contact with someone who still has lice.
Ready to get rid of nits properly?
If you are tired of combing, guessing and hoping, we can help.
Book a professional appointment with Hairforce and let our Lice Assassins clear the infestation for you.