When treating a head lice infestation, many wonder if using conditioner after treatment is beneficial or detrimental. Conditioner plays an important role in managing head lice by aiding thorough removal and maintaining hair health. This guide explains how conditioner assists in the post-treatment phase and outlines practices for a lice-free environment.
Understanding Conditioner’s Role
Conditioner does not contain ingredients that kill head lice or their eggs (nits). Its primary benefit is physically aiding their removal. When applied generously, conditioner lubricates hair strands, making them slippery and easier to comb. This lubrication reduces friction, allowing a fine-toothed comb to glide smoothly.
Conditioner also temporarily immobilizes live lice. Coating them slows their movement, preventing them from scurrying away and making them easier to trap within a lice comb. This effect lasts for about 20 minutes, providing a window for effective physical removal. Furthermore, conditioner helps loosen the glue-like substance that nits use to attach themselves to hair shafts. The conditioner facilitates the mechanical removal of both live lice and remaining nits during the combing process.
How to Use Conditioner After Treatment
After completing an initial lice treatment, conditioner becomes a valuable tool for physically removing any remaining dead lice or nits. Begin by thoroughly rinsing out the chemical lice treatment from the hair according to its instructions. Next, apply a generous amount of standard hair conditioner to the damp hair, ensuring it saturates from the scalp down to the ends. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle the hair, distributing the conditioner evenly.
Once the hair is detangled, divide it into small, manageable sections. Take a fine-toothed lice comb and place it flat against the scalp, drawing it slowly and firmly through each section from the roots to the ends. After each pass, wipe the comb on a paper towel or tissue to check for lice and nits. Continue this systematic combing process for every section of the head, repeating each section multiple times, until no more lice or nits appear on the comb or tissue.
Sustaining a Lice-Free Environment
Ongoing vigilance is important to ensure a sustained lice-free status after treatment. Regularly check the hair of all household members with a fine-toothed comb, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, as these are common areas for lice. This regular checking helps identify any re-infestations early, allowing for prompt action.
Beyond hair care, cleaning practices for items that have come into direct contact with an infested person’s head are important. Wash bedding, clothing, and any recently used hats or scarves in hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit / 54.4 degrees Celsius), then dry them on high heat. Non-washable items like stuffed animals can be sealed in plastic bags for two weeks, or placed in a dryer on high heat for 30 minutes to ensure any remaining lice or nits perish. Regularly cleaning combs and brushes by soaking them in hot, soapy water for 5 to 10 minutes, or boiling them, also helps prevent re-infestation.