Historically, when a child came home from school with head lice, their parents took them to the store to buy an over-the-counter treatment. The product typically worked, and the child went back to school. However, this is not how things are done today. These pesticide shampoos have lost their effectiveness, and families are looking for safer options. 

Let’s cover three reasons why over-the-counter head lice treatments should be avoided.

As we’ve seen with antibiotic resistance, head lice are becoming naturally resistant to the ingredients in over-the-counter head lice shampoos. When these products are used improperly, the bugs become more resilient. 

Either way, ‘super lice’ do not respond to store-bought head lice treatments. One study in 2009 found that chemical products are only 26 percent effective, or as effective as a placebo. 

Sadly, many over-the-counter head lice products contain harsh ingredients like insecticides and pesticides. For example, permethrin is a common ingredient found in these products, and it works by shutting down the nervous system in lice.

However, permethrin can be a moderately toxic pesticide with side effects like breathing problems and irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. Always read the ingredients and warnings on these products. A safer alternative is dimethicone lice oil. Dimethicone is safe and FDA-approved. It works by suffocating head lice and nits.

3. Nits are hard to kill with over-the-counter products. 

Another limitation of store-bought lice removal products is that they often don’t work on nits. Nits are a bit harder to get rid of because they essentially glue themselves onto the hair shaft. If they’re missed during the treatment, they can go onto hatch and create a new infestation.

My Hair Helpers recommends using My Foam Mousse which is made from strained yeast enzymes. It’s proven to dissolve nit glue, destroying both lice and their eggs. It’s safe, and can be used on babies and pregnant women, too!