If you dye your hair, will lice die or not?

There are many professional and gentle remedies for head lice, but traditional medicine methods that kill lice and their eggs are also in demand. For example, women are interested in whether lice live on dyed hair, because if hair dye kills lice and nits, then you can get rid of the problem and change your image.

Lice on colored hair.

Features of lice and nits

Lice are small parasites whose size does not exceed 4 mm. They cannot fly or jump; they move solely using their prehensile paws. The body of lice is covered with a dense chitinous shell on which the respiratory organs are located. They live on the human head in the hair and feed on blood. They die under the influence of chemical odors. Lice can live on the head for up to 1.5 months; without a host they die in 3 days.

Lice on a child's head.

Nits are lice eggs. No more than 1 mm long, have an oblong shape, white color, dense shell. It is denser than the shell of lice, so nits are more resistant to chemicals.

The nit does not move; the louse fixes it to the hair using a special substance. It hardens, so the nit cannot be combed out or washed out of the hair. After 7-10 days, an adult will emerge from the egg, and the cocoon will remain on the curls.

During the first week after hatching from the egg, small lice do not reproduce, but are parasitic. After 7 days, their reproductive system is fully formed, which allows individuals to lay new eggs.

Do lice live on colored hair and can they get there?

Hair dyeing is not a panacea for lice; they also land on the head. The risk of lice infection decreases only in the first 2–3 days after dyeing: the pungent odor left from treating hair with chemicals can “scare off” parasites for some time, but as it weathers, the likelihood of lice infection increases significantly. And the structure of the hair changes during the first days after coloring: nits do not attach to them, but simply fall off.

The parasites feed on blood, and the hairs are used by mature females to attach nits: they secrete a special secretion that can attach the larva to the hair. Thus, lice can appear on dyed hair, live and reproduce in the same way as on natural hair, and the dye in no way interferes with the breeding of new offspring.

Does hair dye kill lice and nits?

Pediculosis is treated with products for external use (shampoos, ointments, lotions), including those prepared independently according to traditional medicine recipes. One effective home remedy that will kill lice is hair dye.

Effect of paint on insects

Any hair dye consists of two components: a dye and an oxidizing agent. The first element does not in any way affect the viability of lice and nits, and the oxidizing agent can corrode the protective layer of the parasites’ shell, causing them to die. In addition, chemical vapors enter the respiratory tract of parasites and destroy their organs.

Hydrogen peroxide is used as an oxidizing agent.

Effect of hydrogen peroxide

Effect of hair dye on insects.
Peroxide, reacting with the dye, corrodes the chitinous layer of lice.
Nits have a stronger shell, so the substance does not always kill them. After dyeing, use a fine comb to remove dead lice and nits.

Is it possible to cure head lice with dyeing?

There is no clear answer to this question. The fact is that the active components of hair dye - ammonia and hydrogen peroxide - have a negative effect on living parasites, killing them, but even the most aggressive components are powerless against nits : their protective shell is too strong and cannot be corroded by a permanent composition.

The only thing that dye can do is destroy the sticky secretion, thanks to which the eggs are attached to the hair, as a result of which the nits simply begin to fall off the hairs. But even outside the hair, the larvae continue to wait “for their time,” because after the start of the life of a new individual, the risk that one of the household members will become a new “object of food” increases significantly.

Lice eggs must be removed only mechanically , by frequently combing the hair with a thick comb or manually, literally examining and sorting out each hair.

The effectiveness of treating head lice using hair coloring products is no more than 75%, and then only if the disease is not advanced.

The remaining 25% is a kind of risk zone that arises in the absence of measures to remove nits from hair: even if at least one living egg remains in the head, after a while a living individual will hatch from it and they will start again.

Criteria for choosing a coloring agent

When choosing a hair dye, it is important to pay attention to the oxidizing agent: it must contain ammonia or perhydrol. Ammonia is equally effective at killing both lice and nits. Peroxide is less harmful to eggs, but kills adults just as effectively as ammonia.

When choosing a paint, you should give preference to blonde shades: they contain a higher percentage of oxidizing agent, the reaction is more powerful and releases more vapors and heat.

Gentle ammonia-free paints, henna and basma are not suitable. Also, do not use paint that has expired or is of unclear composition. It is not recommended to go to a hairdresser; therapeutic coloring can only be done at home.

FAQ

Can there be lice on hair extensions?

You can use both real and synthetic hair extensions. Lice can attach to any type of hair, even hair extensions. Whether they survive or not depends on how long they are in your hair and whether you remove them. If you catch them in your hair extensions before they reach your scalp, you can avoid a lice infestation. However, if even one louse gets on your scalp, you need to take immediate action.

Are nits covered in hair coloring?

Parasites are not painted over because the components in the paint, such as ammonia or peroxide, are deadly to them. When paint gets on the shell of parasites, the insects' cover is corroded, which leads to their death.

Correct head painting

Painting your head as a way to get rid of lice.
How to dye your hair correctly to remove parasites:

wash and dry your hair without using balms, masks, sprays or other care products;
divide into strands and comb thoroughly;
mix all parts of the paint in a glass or ceramic bowl (do not violate the proportions specified in the instructions);
apply dye to the entire length of the hair, and then to the roots;
tie a bun, cover your head with polyethylene and a warm cloth, leave for 40 minutes;
wash off the paint;
rinse your hair with a vinegar solution (2 tablespoons per 1 glass of water);
comb with a fine comb;
apply shampoo and lather it thoroughly;
Rinse off all products and dry your hair.

For better distribution of paint, you can use a hairdressing brush and comb.

How to dye your hair correctly to make lice disappear

Hair dye
For the procedure to help get rid of unwanted bloodsuckers, it is worth performing it correctly. Before changing the color of the strands, you need to do the following:

Buy ammonia paint. Most often it is cheap and is found on the lower shelves of the store.
Do an allergy test. Apply a little paint to the skin, preferably on the crook of your elbow or wrist. If itching and redness do not appear after a day, then you can safely dye your curls.

The procedure should be carried out in a ventilated area. Be sure to wear gloves on your hands. Apply a thick layer of rich cream to the face, near the hairline and ears. The paint is diluted and applied according to the instructions.

On a note!
It is better to entrust the coloring to another person. It will be easier for him to process the entire head of hair.

Painting with hydrogen peroxide or ammonia cannot guarantee complete removal of insects. Parasites can live on colored hair and multiply in it quietly. Therefore, after the procedure, it is necessary to comb out the nits with a special comb. The comb will help get rid of lice completely.

If it was not possible to remove the parasitic individuals, then you need to choose another special product: shampoo, ointment or spray.

Advantages and disadvantages

With one staining, up to 80% of nits and lice will disappear. Why is this happening:

Insects can hide in hard-to-reach or unpainted places.
You can leave the dye on for a maximum of 40 minutes, otherwise there is a risk of damaging your hair. This may not be enough time to kill all the parasites.

What other disadvantages does paint have:

the risk of choosing the wrong paint color;
risk of developing allergies;
cannot be used in advanced stages of pediculosis (when there are wounds);
risk of skin burns.

Advantages of using hair dye:

ease of use and accessibility;
safer option than other chemical lice treatments;
efficiency;
speed of action;
opportunity to change your image.

For a complete cure, at least 3 coloring sessions will be needed; this can have a detrimental effect on the condition of the hair and scalp. Therefore, it is recommended to use hair dye as an auxiliary measure, and not as the main means of therapy.

Mechanical method - combing

This is a simple but very effective option for getting rid of parasites.

The method is completely harmless, therefore it is recommended for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children and anyone suffering from allergies. An anti-lice hair comb will do a good job of combing out parasites from washed, damp strands. Then, to avoid relapses, we repeat combing every 3 days for 2 weeks.

The sequence of such treatment

Wash your hair with shampoo, pat the locks dry with a towel and apply conditioner.
Now use a large comb to straighten the long curls, and then comb them repeatedly with a fine-toothed, wet comb.
The moisture and conditioner will cause all the lice to become lethargic and get stuck in the teeth of the comb.

Vinegar for hair against lice will help at this stage. We will moisten the comb with it, and then clean the hair from insect fragments with it.
Wash your hair with shampoo again.
Then dry your curls with a towel.
Use a large comb to organize the long strands and, to control them, go through them with a fine-toothed comb.

This procedure is necessary for all infected people in the family.

We do the course at three-day intervals for half a month. This way we guarantee ourselves absolute freedom from parasites, because we will eliminate young larvae in a timely manner.

Remedy No. 1

AntiV prophylactic comb will get rid of lice on long curls.

Long and frequent teeth made of medical steel will comb out even the smallest nits, because their interval is half that of the smallest nit.
Withstands boiling and exposure to anti-pediculosis medications.

The comb is eternal, harmless, effective.

Available in pharmacies and online. Price – about 1500 rubles.
Rounded teeth with a laser notch do not scratch the head, but perfectly hold live insects and destroy the shell of the larva.
AntiV does not break or pull out hairs, does not cause allergies or dandruff.
Let's run it down the strands from the roots themselves and see if there is a problem. After all, newly deposited nits are located right at the roots.

Habitats of lice in nature - where the parasite usually lives in its natural environment

There are three types of lice:

Head - lives in the hair of the human head.
Pubic - settles on hard hairs: eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic area, armpit.
Clothes - lives and reproduces on clothes, moves onto a person only to bite him.

Lice that parasitize a person cannot remain outside his body for a long time. The fact is that they feed only on blood; their oral apparatus is not adapted to any other type of food. And without food and warmth, parasites can exist for only a short time.

Of course, any louse can end up on bedding or a piece of furniture, but it definitely wants to move to a “warm place.”

Do lice live on colored hair and can they get there?

Is it possible to cure head lice with dyeing?

Lice eggs must be removed only mechanically , by frequently combing the hair with a thick comb or manually, literally examining and sorting out each hair.

The effectiveness of treating head lice using hair coloring products is no more than 75%, and then only if the disease is not advanced.

Which paint is suitable for treatment, TOP 3 brands with prices

The main criterion that a paint intended to combat head lice must meet is that it must contain ammonia and hydrogen peroxide (hydroxide) . It is these components that destroy the chitin of parasites, paralyze their respiratory system, as a result of which the insects die from asphyxia.

A larger percentage of the content of these components is contained in cosmetics for lightening and blonding, that is, when choosing a color, preference should be given to light tones of the coloring agent.

As for the brand, the brands listed below have been especially popular lately; In addition, each of them contains not only ammonia, but also other components designed to protect the hair structure as much as possible.

Estelle De Luxe . Contains guarana extract, green tea and keratin complex, which maintain water balance, making hair soft and silky. Approximate price – 275 – 340 rubles per 60 ml.
Pallet . The composition includes vegetable oils and a keratin complex, which slightly compensate for the damage caused to the hair as a result of exposure to strong chemicals. The estimated price is from 100 to 300 rubles, depending on the region or store.
Garnier . Ammonia dye, in addition to ammonia, contains vegetable oils and lanolin, which gives hair shine and smoothness. Approximate price – 90 – 150 rubles.

Gentle ammonia-free paint in the fight against lice is absolutely useless: it can only change the color of the insect and make it less mobile.

Instructions for using paint against lice, how many times should you paint:

Conduct an allergy test: apply a small amount of paint to the skin behind the ear and wait for 12 hours. If there are no undesirable reactions to the epithelium (redness, peeling, itching, rashes), then you can safely proceed to staining.
You should put a protective plastic cape over your shoulders and gloves on your hands.
Unwashed hair must be combed thoroughly, then using a brush, apply the prepared dye evenly to the hair.
You need to put a plastic cap on your dyed hair, then a towel to create conditions close to a greenhouse.
Leave the coloring composition on your head for the time specified in the instructions.
Hair must be thoroughly rinsed with plenty of running water, then washed with shampoo.
The final stage is applying the balm.

Definitely, lice will not die from staining alone. Hair treatment should be done several times: usually 2 - 3 procedures are required with an interval of 3 - 5 days. However, such intensity of coloring can cause significant harm to the hair and scalp.

Before purchasing paint for coloring, you need to pay attention to the expiration date: if it is approaching the end, then you should not buy the product, it may not be suitable for treating head lice.

Contraindications

Not everyone can perform “dye therapy”. Those who have:

There are wounds, pustules, and rashes on the surface of the skin under the hair.
The bite site transformed into a sore.
Pediculosis in advanced form (a huge number of nits and lice are observed on the hair).
Hair is too weak or has been exposed to other chemicals.
Pregnant women and children should look for other, less harmful ways to kill parasites.