Does Hair Dye Kill Head Lice?

The answer to the question, “Does hair dye kill head lice?” is a resounding no. Hair dye is not a suitable treatment for head lice and can actually make the problem worse. Furthermore, toxic hair dyes should never be used on children. Instead, you should use stronger methods that kill lice as they hatch.

Although hair dye kills adult lice, it does not kill nits (the unhatched lice eggs). Lice eggs have a hard shell which prevents them from being affected by chemicals or toxins. Also, hair dye does not prevent the nits from hatching, so there is no guarantee that it will prevent head lice from developing.

Lice have a difficult life cycle. In a 24-hour period, the adult lice lay eggs (known as nits). The eggs need to be removed in order to be killed. However, using a hair dye to kill head lice may not work for nits that are three to four days old.

If you use permanent hair dye, make sure to use protective gloves and cover all open areas. Also, keep your eyes and mouth covered when using hair dye. Also, avoid using hair dye on children’s hair. Their hair is more delicate and can be easily damaged. Additionally, hair dyes may cause allergic reactions.