Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a lice treatment appointment take?

Most appointments take 30 to 60 minutes. Short hair finishes faster — a buzz cut might be done in about 30 minutes — while longer or thicker hair takes the full hour to make sure every nit is removed. We don’t rush the comb-out, because missing even one or two viable eggs can restart the infestation.

If you’re treating multiple family members in one visit, expect roughly the same window per person. We’ll give you an honest time estimate when you book, based on hair length and how many people need treatment.

Does heated-air lice treatment kill eggs (nits)?

Yes. The heated-air step is specifically designed to dehydrate live lice and viable nits during your appointment. After the heat phase, we follow up with a thorough section-by-section comb-out to physically remove all the dehydrated lice and eggs from your hair.

This is the part that most over-the-counter products can’t do. Most drugstore treatments kill some adult lice but leave the eggs alive, which is why so many families end up doing repeated rounds and still finding bugs a week later. Killing the eggs in the same visit is what makes our treatment a one-and-done.

What if over-the-counter lice shampoo didn’t work?

You’re not alone, and it’s not because you did anything wrong. Most over-the-counter lice shampoos rely on chemicals like permethrin or pyrethrins, and lice in much of the U.S. — including Oregon — have developed widespread genetic resistance to them. The CDC and other public health agencies have been tracking this for years.

On top of that, even when the chemicals do work on adult lice, most products don’t kill the eggs. So a few days after treatment, the surviving eggs hatch and the cycle starts over.

Our protocol is non-chemical, so resistance isn’t a factor. Heat dehydrates lice and nits regardless of which strain they are, and the comb-out removes everything in one visit.

Is lice treatment safe for kids?

Yes. We use no pesticides, no neurotoxins, and no harsh chemicals — just food-grade oil, controlled heated air, and professional combs. The American Academy of Pediatrics specifically recommends mechanical and physical methods over chemical pediculicides for children, and our protocol follows that guidance.

Treatment works for most ages and hair types. Babies, toddlers, school-age kids, teens, and adults all get the same evidence-based approach. If you have specific concerns about your child’s hair, scalp, or any medical condition, let us know when you book and we’ll talk through how we can adapt the appointment.

What are super lice and how are they treated?

“Super lice” is the informal term for lice that have developed resistance to common over-the-counter pesticides like permethrin and pyrethrins. They’re not biologically tougher, harder to comb out, or impossible to kill — they just don’t respond to the chemicals most drugstore products rely on.

Our treatment doesn’t use those chemicals at all. The heat-and-comb approach works on super lice exactly the same way it works on any other infestation, because we’re not trying to poison them — we’re dehydrating them and physically removing them. If you’ve already done multiple rounds of OTC treatment without success, super lice are very likely the reason. The good news is your appointment with us will look identical to a first-time appointment, and the outcome will be the same: lice-free in one visit.

Do you offer a guarantee on lice treatment?

Yes. Every professional treatment comes with a 60-day re-treatment guarantee. If you’re properly treated by us and lice come back within 60 days — from any source — we re-treat at no additional cost.

We’re confident enough in the protocol to put that in writing, and the guarantee is a good filter when you’re comparing lice clinics. If a provider hides their guarantee terms, requires a second paid appointment, or gives you vague aftercare instructions, that’s worth paying attention to.

Read the full guarantee terms here.

Do I need to treat everyone in the household?

Check everyone the same day, but only treat the people who actually have lice. Treating someone who isn’t infested is unnecessary and not something we’d ever recommend.

We screen every household member who comes to the appointment, using high-magnification tools to confirm whether each person has live lice or viable nits. People who screen clear don’t need treatment. People who screen positive get treated. That way you’re not paying for treatments you don’t need, and you’re not missing anyone who’d otherwise restart the cycle a week later.

Do I have to deep-clean the whole house?

No, and you’ll feel a lot better once you read this. Lice die quickly off the human scalp — usually within 24 to 48 hours, because they need a blood meal to survive. They don’t live in carpets, on furniture, or in dust the way some pests do.

Focus your cleaning on the last 48 hours of head contact:

• Hot wash pillowcases, recently worn hats, and the past few days’ shirts
• Soak combs, brushes, and hair accessories in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes
• Vacuum head-rest areas: the back of the couch, car seats, the spot on the bed where heads touch
• Bag stuffed animals or items that can’t be washed for 48 hours

Skip the pesticide sprays and foggers. They don’t work, they’re toxic, and there’s no evidence they prevent reinfestation. We’ll go over the specifics with you at your appointment so you don’t waste a single load of laundry.

How quickly will my child be lice-free after treatment?

Immediately. Treatment is complete in one appointment — your child walks out lice-free that same visit, and can return to school the same day. We provide a school clearance letter confirming the treatment was performed, which most schools accept without question.

If your school has a specific clearance policy or requires a particular form, mention it when you book and we’ll make sure you leave with what you need.

How long should I keep checking after treatment?

We recommend a single follow-up comb check at home about 7 to 10 days after treatment to confirm everything is clear. We’ll show you exactly how to do this during your appointment, and we’ll send you home with the comb if you don’t already have a good one.

After that, the most reliable way to catch a new infestation early — before it spreads through your house — is a quick weekly comb check during the school year, especially after sleepovers, camps, or when you hear lice are going around. Five minutes once a week, with the right comb and good light, beats hours of treatment later.

How is professional lice treatment different from drugstore products?

Drugstore lice products typically only kill some live lice and few or no eggs. To even have a shot at clearing the infestation, you have to apply them correctly, leave them on for the right amount of time, comb meticulously, and repeat the whole process about a week later when the surviving eggs hatch. And even then, if you’re dealing with resistant lice, the chemicals don’t work in the first place.

Our professional treatment eliminates lice and viable nits in a single 30 to 60-minute visit. There’s no second appointment, no follow-up rounds, no chemical exposure for your child, and a 60-day guarantee if anything comes back. For most families, the math comes out in our favor by the time you’ve bought your second box of failed shampoo.

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