9 Quick and Effective Tips on How to Get Rid of Lice Naturally in One Day - from a Holistic Hairstylist

9 Quick and Effective Ways to Get Rid of Lice Naturally in One Day – Tips from a Holistic Hairstylist

It’s back to school season! Which means, parents, you want to be prepared just in case…

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How to Get Rid of Lice Naturally in One Day

Getting rid of lice naturally in one day is challenging and stressful, but not impossible!

The process involves using potent natural remedies known for their lice-killing properties, such as tea tree and neem oils. The key to success is thorough application and follow-up to ensure that both lice and their eggs (nits) are completely eliminated from your scalp (or your child’s) and your home so that it doesn’t spread and you have to treat them again.

Can You Get Rid of Lice Naturally in One Day?

Yes, it’s possible to get rid of lice naturally in one day, but it’s important to understand that complete eradication might require a follow-up.

Natural remedies can effectively kill adult lice, but nits are often more resistant, hatching a few days after treatment.

But to ensure complete removal, a follow-up method—such as using heat—is recommended to kill any surviving nits.

9 Fast Ways to Get Rid of Lice Naturally in One Day and How They Work

1. White Vinegar and Water Rinse

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Saturate the hair and scalp, leave on for 30 minutes, then comb out the nits. Vinegar helps loosen the glue that makes lice and nits stick to the hair shafts.

2. Essential Oil Treatment

Essential oils like tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint have insecticidal properties. Mix 15-20 drops of your chosen oil with two tablespoons of carrier oil (such as coconut or olive oil). Apply to the scalp, cover with a shower cap, and leave it on for at least two hours before washing out.

Pura D’or Organic Essential oil 10 pack for $24.99

This pack includes tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and rosemary! Several of the top fragrances to treat lice with!

3. Garlic Paste

Crush 10-15 garlic cloves into a paste and mix with lime juice. Apply to the scalp and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and use a lice comb to remove remaining lice and nits. The strong smell suffocates the lice.

4. Mayonnaise Mask

Coat the scalp and hair with full-fat mayonnaise, ensuring every strand is covered. Cover with a shower cap and leave on overnight. It’ll suffocate the parasite.

Rinse thoroughly in the morning, shampoo, and use a lice comb to remove dead lice and nits.

5. Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly)

Apply a thick layer of Vaseline to the scalp, cover with a shower cap, and leave on overnight.

Wash the hair with dish soap in the morning to remove the jelly, and use a lice comb to remove lice and nits.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water, apply thoroughly to the scalp and hair, and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse with water and use a lice comb to remove nits and dead lice.

Apple Cider Vinegar Mask Rinse Recipe

7. Coconut Oil

Apply warmed coconut oil to the scalp and hair, cover with a shower cap, and leave for several hours. Coconut oil can smother and kill lice.

8. Heat – Blow Dryer or Flat Iron

Heat is on of the most effective methods for killing lice and their eggs.

You can do this by using a blow dryer on high heat, concentrating on the roots where lice and nits are often found. Be careful not to burn the scalp!

Heat will dehydrate and kill the nits, reducing the risk of re-infestation. This method should be done after any of the other treatments to ensure all lice are killed.

9 – Chemical Treatments

There are specialized shampoo treatments you can do at home, such as Fairytales Shampoo which is specific for killing lice and is safe for kids, and tested to be hypoallergenic.

Fairytales Shampoo & Conditioner 8oz for $22.75

How to Apply the Different Lice Treatments

Applying natural lice treatments effectively is crucial for their success. Here’s how to do it:

Essential Oils – Mix with a carrier oil (such as olive oil, or coconut oil) apply evenly to the scalp, and leave on for the recommended time.
Garlic Paste, Mayonnaise, and Vaseline – Apply directly to the scalp and hair, ensuring full coverage. Cover with a shower cap and leave on for the recommended time above.
Vinegar Rinses – Whichever vinegar you choose to use, apply after washing hair, leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse and comb through with a lice comb.
Chemical Treatments – Follow directions on the bottle for exact time to leave the treatment on for. Be sure that all of the hair is evenly saturated.

How to Use a Lice Comb

Parting the hair into quarters (two sections in the front, two in the back), and working in only one section at a time, part and comb the hair using a lice comb in 1/4″ sections, working from the bottom to the top of the section.

Have a wet paper towel to wipe the comb off on, and when you are finished with the whole head you can put all of the clips and tools (even the comb) in boiling hot water to make sure that the pest is all gone and you don’t have to throw away the tools you used.

Pack of 8 Lice/Flea Combs with Metal Teeth for $5.99

How Long Does It Take to Treat Lice?

Treating lice can vary in time depending on the method used, but it can be done in a day, but it will take a few hours to make sure everyone in the home is treated and all necessary household items are cleaned as well (such as pillowcases, hats, hairbrushes, scarves, towels, shower-caps, combs, blankets, etc.).

However, to ensure full elimination, a follow-up treatment 7 days later should be done just in case.

Natural treatments may require longer application times, sometimes needing to be left on overnight. Manual removal of nits with a comb is also necessary if you truly want to make sure all of the eggs (nits) are gone, which will take additional time.

Are There Any Side Effects Caused by Treating Lice Naturally?

Most natural lice treatments are safe, but some people may experience mild side effects such as scalp irritation, redness, or an allergic reaction, especially with essential oils, because they are so concentrated and strong.

Always perform a patch test before applying any new substance to your scalp. But treatments like vinegar or garlic also have a strong odor that can be unpleasant but is generally harmless, even, beneficial for the hair and scalp health.

How to Prevent Lice Infestation Naturally

Preventing lice infestation can be achieved by maintaining good personal hygiene, using natural repellents, such as rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, or apple cider vinegar rinses, or even regular hair masks will help keep the hair guarded from the parasite.

Being mindful of sharing items like hats, hairbrushes, and headphones, is also imperative to lice prevention.

Essential oils can be added to shampoos or diluted in water and misted on hair regularly to repel lice.

Regularly washing bedding and clothing in hot water can also help prevent an infestation if you don’t actually have lice but have been near someone that needs treatment.

You can use Original Sprout, which is a lice-prevention shampoo and conditioner. I love this product, and have been using it for years!

Original Sprout Shampoo and Conditioner Review – Hairstylist Reviewed

Risks of Using Chemical Lice Treatments

Chemical lice treatments, while effective, come with risks, especially for those with sensitive skin, allergies, or small children.

These products often contain harsh pesticides like permethrin, which can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and in some cases, resistance in lice, making them harder to kill.

Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can also have negative health effects, especially in children.

Toxic Ingredient List for Haircare Products

A Caution about Dimethicone Treatments

Dimethicone is a silicone-based compound commonly used in some lice treatments to suffocate and eliminate lice by coating them. Although it’s generally considered a safer option compared to traditional pesticides, it can still cause scalp irritation or allergic reactions in certain individuals.

One downside of Dimethicone is that it may not be fully effective against nits (lice eggs), often requiring multiple applications to achieve complete eradication. Following the product instructions carefully and performing a patch test before full application is important to minimize potential side effects.

Also, some concerns exist about its potential impact on the endocrine system, as it’s considered a potentially toxic ingredient in certain hair products.

For those seeking alternatives, there are natural remedies available that may offer effective results with fewer risks.

8 Things NOT to Do to Get Rid of Lice

Don’t Overuse Chemical Treatments – Applying chemical treatments more frequently than recommended can lead to skin irritation and potentially cause lice to develop resistance.
Don’t Skip the Lice Comb – Even with effective treatments, it’s crucial to manually remove nits and dead lice using a fine-tooth comb. Skipping this step can lead to re-infestation.
Don’t Share Personal Items – Sharing combs, hats, or pillows can spread lice to others or re-infest your own hair.
Don’t Use Harsh Home Remedies – Some DIY treatments like kerosene or insecticide sprays are dangerous and can cause serious harm.
Don’t Ignore Family Members – If one person in the household has lice, check everyone. Lice spread quickly, and treating only one person may not eliminate the problem.
Don’t Forget to Clean the Environment – Lice can survive on bedding, clothes, and furniture for a few days. Failing to clean these items can lead to re-infestation.
Don’t Rush the Treatment Process – Take the time needed to treat lice effectively, leaving treatments on for the recommended period and following up with thorough combing.
Don’t Rely Solely on Heat – While heat is effective at killing lice and nits, it should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, not as the only method.

When to See a Medical Professional

While many cases of lice can be treated at home, there are times when it’s necessary to seek medical advice. Lice can bite, and some people can go untreated long enough that they are bit and it becomes infected.

If over-the-counter or natural treatments aren’t working after several attempts (sadly, some over-the-counter treatments can make the parasite stronger and harder to kill), or if the scalp shows signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or pus, consult a healthcare provider.

How to Get Rid of Lice Overnight – 5 Natural Fast Remedies

Mayonnaise Treatment
Vaseline Method
Coconut Oil
Garlic Paste
Tea Tree (or alternatives Neem & Rosemary) Oil

FAQs to How to Get Rid of Lice Naturally in One Day

Do You Have to Use a Lice Comb or Does a Regular Fine-Tooth Comb Work?

Using a lice comb is highly recommended over a regular fine-tooth comb. Lice combs are designed with teeth that are closer together, making them more effective at removing both lice and nits. A regular comb may not capture the tiny eggs as effectively.

How to and What is Wet-Combing? Is it Effective?

Wet-combing involves applying conditioner to wet hair, which helps immobilize lice and makes them easier to remove with a lice comb. This method is highly effective when done meticulously, as it allows for the removal of lice and nits without using chemicals.

Can You Get Rid of Lice Without Treatment?

While lice can sometimes be managed with consistent combing and environmental cleaning, using a treatment is usually necessary to kill lice effectively. Untreated lice can lead to prolonged infestation and discomfort.

Do You Have to Get Rid of or Treat Bedding, Clothes, and Carpet Too?

Yes, it’s essential to clean bedding, clothes, and carpets to prevent re-infestation. Wash bedding and clothing in hot water (at least 130°F) and dry on high heat. Vacuum carpets, furniture, and car seats. Items that cannot be washed can be sealed in a plastic bag for at least 48 hours to kill any remaining lice.

What Kills 100% of Lice?

No single treatment is guaranteed to kill 100% of lice in one application, but a combination of thorough lice treatment, combing, and environmental cleaning can effectively eliminate them. Heat treatment, when applied correctly, is one of the most reliable methods for ensuring both lice and nits are killed, followed up by combing them out with a lice comb.

What Kills Lice and Eggs (Nits) Instantly?

There is no instant cure, but certain treatments like high heat from a blow dryer or flat iron and specific essential oils like tea tree oil can kill lice and nits effectively when used correctly. However, manual removal with a lice comb is still necessary to ensure all nits are removed.

Can You Get Rid of Lice Without a Comb?

While some treatments can kill lice, a comb is essential for removing nits (eggs). Without combing, nits can hatch and lead to re-infestation.

9 Quick and Effective Tips on How to Get Rid of Lice Naturally in One Day – from a Holistic Hairstylist