Hair Dye and Head Lice: Everything You Should Know

There is a common myth circulating around society that people who dye their hair can’t get head lice. We will begin this discussion by simply stating that this is not true. Head lice are just as attracted to dyed hair as they are to untreated hair. Head lice only use a person’s hair as a means of climbing down to your scalp in order to get to the blood. The color or quality of your hair will not pose much of an obstacle to them in this effort. But what effects can hair dye have when it comes to head lice? Can hair dye kill lice once a person’s hair becomes infested, and is it a good idea to try? In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the relationship between lice and hair dye, and what we recommend. 

Will Hair Dye Kill Lice?

There are a variety of different hair dye products available with several active ingredients that are put to use with each treatment. What we have discovered is that if a person with head lice decides to use a permanent hair dye containing the ingredients ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, these harsh chemicals can have the potential to kill some lice but not in any way get rid of the lice. The same is true for hair bleach, the chemical treatment used to remove the color from your hair. A thorough application can do some significant damage to some species of lice, but not all of them. Temporary hair dyes or gentle, organic versions of the product without these two chemicals will have little to no effect on the bugs at all. However, the one thing that each of these approaches has in common is they will not have any effect on the lice eggs (or nits). Lice eggs have a tough exterior shell that hair dye chemicals are not strong enough to penetrate. So if you decide to pay good money to eradicate your lice bugs at a hair salon, understand that it may work temporarily, but they will be back once those eggs hatch. Hair dye will not be a permanent solution to this problem. 

Will Proper Lice Removal Ruin Hair Color?

Head lice will not prevent you from dying your hair, and the proper lice removal procedure will not damage your hair color. There are some things to consider before doing either. If you were planning to go to dye your hair after you check yourself for lice, you may want to pause and reconsider this course of action. Head lice shampoo employs the use of other harsh chemicals in order to kill the bugs. These shampoos are not known to have any effect on your hair color, but combining such treatment with a hair dye application, before or after, could wreak havoc on your scalp, resulting in further itching, allergic reactions, or a rash. One other thing to consider is that head lice can often leave small sores on the scalp, and the itching that comes with their active presence in your hair can leave multiple scratches on the skin. If you’re thinking that this hair dye treatment will work like killing two birds with one stone, you may be partially right, but it might not be the best idea. Remember, the ingredients needed to kill most head lice are ammonia and peroxide. Applying these harsh chemicals to sores and scratched skin on the surface of your scalp will most likely cause a very uncomfortable experience. Professional, chemical-free lice removal should be your top priority. 

Lice Clinics of America in Anderson, SC

Here at Lice Clinics of America, we offer a chemical-free head lice treatment that guarantees a lice-free scalp in just one hour. Head lice are a horrible intrusion on your quality of life, and our team of professionals is dedicated to providing the best professional lice removal available. If you are in need of lice treatment near you in Anderson, SC, or in Greenville, SC, please visit our website and schedule an appointment at one of our clinics, today.