Up until recently, parents faced a dilemma when discovering that their child had head lice. Treatment was a choice between using pesticides, which the lice can become resistant to over time, or spending hours "bug busting" the hair with the aid of a fine toothed comb and a bottle of hair conditioner. Both methods have obvious disadvantages, making it difficult for a parent to know which is the best option in these circumstances.
A New Option for Treating Head Lice
Fortunately, the latest treatments for head lice have none of the problems mentioned above. They do not contain harmful pesticides, are easy to use, and can be effective in as little as fifteen minutes. Moreover, the real beauty of the new method is the fact that the lice cannot become resistant to treatment, because of the unique way that the lotion works.
The "miracle ingredient" in these new products is silicone based oil, such as dimeticone or cyclomethicone. This ingredient works by effectively suffocating the louse and preventing it from excreting surplus water, which kills the louse quickly. Because of the physical action of silicone based products, the lice won't become resistant to the product, which has become a real problem with the use of pesticides in times past, with stronger and stronger doses needed to kill all of the lice on the head.
Why Use a Dimeticone Product to Kill Head Lice?
Firstly, these products can be used on babies as young as six months as the product is not absorbed through the skin. It does not have a nasty smell, and is quick to apply, perfect for children who don't like sitting still! Some examples of such treatments include Hedrin, Lyclear, Itax, Linicin and Full Marks Solution. They come in a a variety of formats, including gel spray, mousse or lotion, depending on personal preference.
Application is very easy. The solution or spray is applied to dry hair until the whole of the hair is covered, from root to tip. It is a good idea to cover the shoulders with a towel, as the solution is slightly greasy, similar to baby oil in consistency. After application, wait fifteen minutes, or preferably as long as possible, to ensure that the product kills all of the lice on the head. Then work through the hair with a fine toothed comb, removing all of the dead lice, before washing the hair with a regular shampoo to remove the greasy solution from the hair.
Things to Note When Using Dimeticone to Treat Head Lice
Silicone based products are very greasy and difficult to remove from the hair. Several washes with shampoo may be needed to thoroughly remove all of the product from the hair, although it will look beautifully conditioned and shiny afterward.
Great care must be taken to avoid contact with eyes. Also, the product is flammable, so must not be exposed to a naked flame.
Most silicone based solutions do not kill the nits, or eggs, although some of the newer ones have ingredients that penetrate the eggs also. For the best results, the treatment should be repeated after seven days to ensure that any newly hatched lice are killed.
A Real Breakthrough in Head Louse Prevention
Head louse infestation can be treated quickly and easily with the new silicone based solutions. A clinical trial showed that lotion containing 4% dimeticone was 97% effective at removing lice in a test group of 36 children in 2008.
Parents finally have a real choice when it comes to treatment. A choice that is much more preferable to hours spent poring over the hair with a nit comb, or worries about increased resistance to pesticide treatments. We finally have an effective weapon in the war against head lice.
Sources
http://www.hedrin.co.uk/about_hedrin.html
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/lice.htm
Louise Jones - I have always enjoyed writing as a hobby, but started writing reviews online in February 2010 for Dooyoo, and later Ciao. In the beginning ...
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