Tar soap for lice and nits

Composition, features and properties of tar soap

Tar soap got its name due to the fact that one bar contains from 8 to 10% tar, a substance obtained by distilling wood. Birch and pine tar are often added to natural healing ointments. This component gives the product the ability to disinfect and heal wounds.

Tar soap also contains sodium salts based on fatty acids (they form foam), alkalis, water and palm oil. It has a specific odor, which forces some manufacturers to add flavorings to the product. The bar has a dark color, resembling laundry soap in appearance, and the section shows the heterogeneity of the structure.

Tar soap is available in solid and liquid form. They do not differ in their effectiveness, and the choice between a bottle and a bar depends only on personal preference. You should carefully read the composition written on the packaging: some brands add not pure tar to their products, but its extract . In this case, the soap will be useless against lice.

Numerous beneficial properties of tar soap have been confirmed by doctors. It destroys parasites that live on the hair of people and animals. Other positive effects are also observed:

• skin oiliness decreases;
• hair shines more intensely;
• the manifestation of seborrhea, acne and psoriasis decreases;
• the fungus disappears.

At the same time, tar soap has features that do not always bring a positive effect. It dries the skin and requires the parallel use of moisturizers, and in allergy sufferers it provokes skin irritations and rashes.

Could it be an allergy?

Given the high activity of the active ingredients of soap, it is necessary to adhere to some precautions:

• it should not get into the mouth and eyes, as it can cause severe irritation when it comes into contact with the mucous membrane;
• When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the concentration of tar. This information is indicated on the packaging. The proportion of tar in the product should not exceed 10%. If the indicator is too high, then this product cannot be used for allergy sufferers, children and people with sensitive skin;
• It is advisable to purchase soap from popular brands. Conscientious manufacturers always monitor the quality of their products;
• Before the procedure, it is advisable to read the reviews of acquaintances and friends who have already treated pediculosis with tar soap. If there are none, it is advisable to consult a specialist;
• Long-term use of this product can cause dry skin and deterioration of hair structure. Therefore, after treatment, it is advisable to rinse your hair with restorative lotions and balms, and make nourishing masks;
• pain and pain in the eyes, lacrimation during use of the product indicates that its use will have to be abandoned;
• the composition of this product has no serious contraindications, but can cause allergies. Therefore, a little testing is necessary before use. Apply a little soap solution to the inside of the elbow or both hands and wait 30 minutes. If redness, itching or other negative reactions do not occur, you can safely begin treatment and apply it to the scalp.

Soap should be used with caution in children prone to allergies. If a child’s scalp is too dry, the alkalis in the product will dry it out more. Therefore, it is advisable to use another, less aggressive treatment method.

Is tar soap effective against lice?

Of all the folk methods for treating head lice, tar soap is considered the most famous and time-tested remedy. Antiparasitic properties are given to it by various alkalis added during production. Tar itself does not have a pronounced ability to kill insects.

Supporters of tar soap are attracted by its low price and the natural origin of the main active ingredient. However, it still does not help get rid of lice as quickly as other pharmaceutical drugs. It is necessary to keep the product on the head for at least half an hour so that a significant part of the parasites die. It often takes several regular applications before the hair is completely free of pests.

Tar soap cannot get rid of nits . Often several regular applications are required: the first time the lice die, the next time the insects that hatched from the nits die. If you do not follow this rule, then tar soap will not bring the desired result.

Doctors agree that tar soap will not be superfluous in the fight against lice. But it should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment along with pharmaceutical shampoo, as well as a special comb for combing out parasites.

However, it has benefits that potent drugs do not. Tar soap heals wounds left after lice bites.
Often, infection multiplies in them, which leads to itching and hair loss. Regeneration is accelerated due to blood flow into the deep layers of the skin. Tar disinfects damage and prevents secondary pediculosis.

3 more tips

Conclusion: you can get rid of lice with tar soap. And they enhance its effect in three more ways.

1. Keep the product on your head longer. Of course, you shouldn’t go to extremes and leave the foam on overnight; extend the procedure to an hour and a half.
2. Be patient. Combing your hair with a comb requires concentration and time. This way you can get rid of more parasites.
3. Dissolve the glue. Nits are attached to the hair using their own glue. It can be dissolved with acid. After washing off the foam, rinse your hair with something acidic, for example, a solution of vinegar and water. This way, when combing, you will get rid of nits.

To get rid of unpleasant insects that have settled in your hair at home, you don’t have to use advertised expensive products. Tar soap has proven itself well in the treatment of head lice. And reviews of tar soap for lice confirm this.

How to use tar soap against lice and nits

Tar soap can be used as a stand-alone product or supplemented with auxiliary products for the treatment of head lice.

The first method is suitable for those who put naturalness first and are willing to spend their time for a positive result. Repeat the procedure once a day for a week . The sequence of actions will be as follows:

1. Clean the surface of your head from sebum using tar soap or any usual shampoo. Lather thoroughly and then rinse with running water.
2. Wring out your hair (but don't dry it!) and lather it again. Whip up as much foam as possible and distribute it over the entire surface of your head.
3. Without rinsing off the soap, put a shower cap or plastic bag on your hair. Wrap a towel around your head to keep warm.
4. After an hour, remove the bag and rinse your hair with water at a comfortable temperature.
5. Dry your hair with a towel and go through it with a special fine-tooth lice comb.

If you use tar shampoo instead of soap, you can add substances that enhance its natural properties. For example, unrefined oil will make combing easier and moisturize the scalp. And essential oils will improve the distribution of foam and give your hair a pleasant aroma.

The second option involves combining tar soap and an anti-pediculosis drug. This is an ideal solution for people who need instant results without harm to their hair. The sequence of actions will be slightly different from the previous method:

1. Apply any anti-lice product from the pharmacy to your hair.
2. After the time indicated on the package has passed, rinse the composition with water and wring out your hair.
3. Apply tar soap or shampoo to your head, spreading the foam over its entire surface.
4. Place a plastic bag over your head and wrap a towel around the top.
5. After half an hour, rinse off the foam with warm water.
6. Lightly dry your hair and comb through with a fine-tooth comb.

If you are unable to remove the lice the first time, repeat the procedure the next day.

Regardless of the chosen method, certain rules must be followed. Do not allow tar soap to come into contact with the mucous membrane of the eyes and mouth. This can lead to severe pain and burns. Store the soap in a place that is difficult for children to reach: a child who decides to taste such a product risks ending up in the hospital.

Before lathering your hair completely, you need to test the product on a small area near the back of your head and monitor your sensations. If itching or severe burning occurs, immediately wash off the composition with water.

For those with dry scalp, it is recommended to apply a moisturizing mask or balm after washing to prevent dandruff and irritation. When you wash off the foam, add a little vinegar to the water. It will add shine to your hair and dissolve the glue that attaches nits to your hair.

Ingredients that enhance the effect

Tar soap is also produced in liquid form. This shampoo is more convenient to use, especially in combination with “helpers”. You can use tar soap against lice with the following additives.

• With essential oils. To enhance the repellent effect and add a pleasant smell, add two to three drops of essential oils of clove, ylang-ylang, lavender or mint to the bottle of soap.
• With vegetable oil. Add vegetable oil, always unrefined, to liquid soap. This will make combing easier and create an additional film that blocks the lice from breathing. This option is suitable for people with dry scalp.
• With hellebore water. When you wash the soap from your hair, you can apply hellebore water to it. An alcoholic extract of hellebore roots is sold in pharmacies. Use a cotton pad to blot your hair along the entire length, put on a cap and wait half an hour. Then wash your hair with regular shampoo and comb out with a comb.

Where to buy and how much does it cost?

Tar soap is sold in any pharmacy. The price depends on the size of the bar, which ranges from 30 to 200 rubles . You do not need a doctor's prescription to purchase it. It can also be found on store shelves in departments with household chemicals and cosmetics. A 250 ml bottle of liquid soap or shampoo will cost 100-150 rubles . The advantage of purchasing is that the soap is manufactured according to established GOST standards and has a proven composition.

Also in recent years, home-made soap with the addition of tar has been gaining popularity. The craftswoman can give it an unusual shape or decorate its surface. Its cost is somewhat more expensive, and the price for a small piece weighing 90 grams starts from 100 rubles.

Handmade bars often already contain essential oils, so after using them, the hair smells less like tar. They can be ordered online directly from home. On the other hand, home production is not controlled by anyone, and improperly made soap can lead to skin irritation and other unpleasant consequences.

Are there any contraindications?

Like any medicine, tar soap has limitations in use. You should refuse to purchase it if the following factors exist:

• Dry hair;
• Kidney diseases;
• Intolerance to the smell of tar;
• Cases of allergic reaction to cosmetics or medications;
• Hair dyed in a dark shade (the color will wash out unevenly);
• Age up to 3 years.

Tar soap is allowed to be used during pregnancy, but only after discussing this issue with your doctor.