Nothing makes your skin crawl more than the idea of tiny, blood-sucking insects making themselves at home in your hair—crawling busily around, mating, laying eggs and carefully gluing them to your hair shafts, in order to multiply into large, thriving colonies right there on your scalp. And when your child comes home from school with a note saying that nits were found in her hair, not only are you horrified at the idea of bugs in your child’s hair, but your scalp immediately starts to itch and crawl, making you wonder if it’s all in your head—or all ON your head. Ugh. Chances are, you are going to want to begin treating the condition as quickly as you can.

Whether you are a lice-treatment rookie and this is your first experience with dealing with an infestation of head lice, or you’ve been down this itchy, tedious road before, finding out that you or a loved one in your home has lice always makes your stomach drop, knowing that you are in for a fight. But don’t just pick the first lice treatment you see, or automatically reach for the popular name brands that have been around for years. There are many newer choices in lice treatments that offer so much more than the treatments of the past—and so much less! Less toxic pesticides, that is.

Thankfully, today’s best lice treatments can even treat “super lice,” which have evolved to be impervious to many of the often-used pesticides.

Instead of choosing a random lice treatment off the shelves, instead, take a few minutes to read over the many options in today’s best lice treatments.

Ladibugs Lice Elimination Kit is one of the best lice treatment products for removing super lice—those lice that have developed built-in resistance to commonly used pesticide shampoos and sprays. Ladibugs has been proven highly effective in eliminating all live lice through a combination of smothering with dimethicone and killing them with essential oils such as peppermint and grapeseed oil.

Ladibugs Lice Elimination Kit is a 3 step system to remove lice and protect against reinfestation. Ladibugs treatment begins with a mint serum that is pesticide-free and suffocates live lice. This serum is refreshingly scented with natural peppermint essential oil—loved by humans and despised by lice. After 15 minutes, the lice should be dead and hair can be washed. Then the Ladibugs Mousse is applied throughout hair to prevent a possible reinfestation. The mousse helps to remove nits and eggs. Leave the mousse in place for 5 minutes to loosen lice eggs and then use the specially designed included comb to effectively remove eggs, nits, and any remaining dead lice.

The specially designed lice-removing comb has grooved tines to aid in egg removal. A special handle aids grip control during combing, even with slippery hands.

Ladibugs Lice Elimination Kit is effective on super lice with tolerance for pesticide-formula lice treatments, and kills any type of head lice. It is free of pesticides, and is vegan, sulfate, and paraben free, as well as free of phthalates.

For safe and effective non-pesticide lice elimination, Ladibugs Lice Elimination Kit may be one of the best lice treatments available today.

Key Features
  • 3-step lice elimination product
  • Mint serum lice-killer, mousse formula to loosen nits, and nit comb
  • Essential oil based- no pesticide formula
  • Kills super lice
Specifications
  • Format: Serum and Mousse
  • Package Size: 4 fl oz serum, 4 oz mousse
  • Includes Comb?: Yes
  • Effectiveness Time: 15 minutes
  • Brand: Ladibugs
Pros
  • All-natural essential oil based products
  • Pesticide-free and free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalate
  • Vegan formula
  • Grooved comb for optimal nit removal
Cons
  • Two kits may be needed for long hair
  • Leaves a greasy residue on hair

One of the best lice treatments comes from a name people have long trusted for lice elimination, Nix Ultra 2-in-1 Lice Elimination System. This Nix lice treatment is designed to kill “super lice” and their eggs. Super lice are a strain of pesticide-resistant lice that are now found in 48 states. Nix Ultra uses a suffocation method to kill live lice. The conditioning cream treatment also kills and loosens lice eggs and nits. (empty egg casings) The conditioner is dimethicone based and is odorless. This deep conditioning agent not only smothers lice, but it deeply conditions hair and makes it easier to comb through to remove dead lice, eggs, and nits with the included special lice eliminating comb.

Nix Ultra is formulated to eliminate super lice, but works for all lice types and their eggs. The conditioning treatment protects hair from reinfestation for up to 14 days.

Nix Ultra 2-in-1 Lice Elimination System is easy to apply. Simply spread it through dry hair, massaging into the scalp and thoroughly through the hair, being careful to work it carefully behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. Leave the solution in the hair for 15 minutes and then wash out with ordinary shampoo. Don’t use conditioner, as Nix Ultra is super-conditioning. Towel dry and then comb through hair with the included Nit comb, wiping the tines clean with a tissue after each pass through hair. Check hair after seven days and retreat if needed.

Nix Ultra 2-in-1 is free of pesticides, non-irritating to sensitive scalps, and is hypoallergenic. The moisture-locking dimethicone formula also soothes itchy, irritated scalps and leaves hair in better condition than before you treated, making this one of the best lice treatments available today.

Key Features
  • Designed to destroy super lice through suffocation
  • Safely kills all lice and their eggs
  • Number 1 recommended brand
  • Conditioning formula
Specifications
  • Format: Conditioner
  • Package Size: 3.4 fl oz
  • Includes Comb?: Yes
  • Effectiveness Time: 15 minutes
  • Brand: Nix
Pros
  • Leaves hair soft, shiny, and conditioned
  • Free of pesticides, hypoallergenic, and gentle on the scalp
  • No harsh odor
Cons
  • Leaves a greasy film on hair
  • Small amount included- those with long hair may require two kits

If you are looking for the best lice treatment for repelling lice and preventing reinfestation, then Honeydew Tea Tree Rosemary Lice Prevention Shampoo may be the one for you. This treatment is unique in format. It is a shampoo that works over time to repel lice, creating an herbal environment that is inhospitable to lice. It works over a period of several days of use to rid hair of lice and then may be used daily to prevent reinfestation or for daily protection against head lice.

Honeydew Tea Tree Rosemary Lice Prevention Shampoo is a blend of herbal remedies such as tea tree oil, rosemary and lavender—strong herbal extracts that lice cannot tolerate. It also contains jojoba oil to moisturize the scalp to relieve itch and irritation. This shampoo can be used for more than lice treatment; it also is recommended for use to repair dry or damaged hair and to encourage new hair growth with a boost of argan oil.

Honeydew Tea Tree Rosemary Lice Prevention Shampoo is infused with a botanical keratin to eliminate frizz and nourish brittle hair.

Honeydew Tea Tree Rosemary Shampoo can be used daily, not only as a lice repellent, but also to promote a healthy head of hair and reduce flaking, dry scalp, and dandruff. The antioxidant-rich formula contains provitamin B5 and stimulates hair follicles to encourage growth and promote blood flow to decrease hair shedding.

Honeydew Tea Tree Rosemary Shampoo smells wonderful, and is free of pesticides, chemicals and sulfates, making this one of the best lice treatment shampoos that is multi-functional and can be used as a daily shampoo for beautiful hair.

Key Features
  • Tea tree oil shampoo to prevent and eradicate head lice
  • Includes rosemary essential oil to repel lice and soothe scalp
  • Jojoba oil is added to hydrate dry, irritated scalp
  • Includes lavender to keep lice away
Specifications
  • Format: Shampoo
  • Package Size: 8 oz
  • Includes Comb?: No
  • Effectiveness Time: Immediate results
  • Brand: Maple Holistics
Pros
  • May be used every day as a preventative treatment
  • Multipurpose shampoo may also be used to relieve dandruff and itchy scalp
  • Argan oil not only repels lice, but also encourages hair growth and shine
  • Pesticide, paraben and sulfate-free
Cons
  • Does not always work on first try, but is formatted to be used for several days
  • Strong herbal scent that is pleasant but may be too strong some

One of the best lice treatment options comes from a name that’s long been trusted for removing unwanted house guests from your hair. RID contains the two most effective chemical ingredients for killing live lice. Piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrum extract have been recommended for years for effectively killing lice and have been proven effective. These active ingredients are blended in a shampoo formula that is easy to apply. Simply apply to dry hair, concentrating on the areas around the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Saturate completely and thoroughly massage into scalp. Wait ten minutes and then add warm water to lather and rinse thoroughly.

After treating, use the included special comb to remove any remaining nits. Stubborn nits can be removed with a gloved hand. Treatment must be repeated in seven to ten days to kill any newly hatched lice. It is also recommended that family members are checked and possibly treated as well. Use a room spray on the infected person’s room, and wash all bedding in hot water. Sealing stuffed animals into plastic bags for 24 hours can protect against reinfestation.

RID is one of the easiest lice treatment products to use, and is effective when used correctly. It includes castor oil to moisturize the scalp and for its natural antibacterial properties to help heal and prevent infection, as well as to loosen eggs for easier removal.

RID is formulated to have a more pleasant fragrance than most other lice treatment shampoo.

RID can be used on anyone age two and up and is also effectively treats pubic and body lice.

Key Features
  • Lice killing shampoo and conditioner
  • Active ingredients include piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrum extract
  • Repeat in 7 to 10 days
  • Simple instructions
  • Comb included
Specifications
  • Format: Shampoo
  • Package Size: 8 oz
  • Includes Comb?: Yes
  • Effectiveness Time: 10 minutes
  • Brand: RID
Pros
  • Simple to use
  • Combines two powerful ingredients
  • Comb is included is proven 100 % effective
  • 8 oz to treat even long hair
Cons
  • May be drying to the scalp
  • Some lice may be resistant to the main ingredients due to overuse

The best lice treatment for those who want to be completely armed with everything they need to battle lice in one kit is undoubtedly the Lice.org Complete Lice Kit. This kit comes with 31 pieces and contains everything you need for the lice-ridding process in one great kit.

The Lice.org Kit includes 2 cans of lice immobilizer spray—one for initial treatment and one for retreatment in 8 days, lice management conditioner, hair caps, hair clips, large quarantine bags, shoulder capes, gloves, aprons, lavender-infused hair ties, stainless steel lice comb, hair bun accessory, and lice comb wipes.

The spray treatment is formulated with essential oils and is non-toxic. It kills even “super-lice,” that are resistant to the often-used chemical lice treatments. The essential oil formula is fast-acting and won’t irritate the scalp. The scent is fresh and kid-friendly.

The Lice.org Complete Lice Kit contains the second treatment, recommended to apply in 8 days to kill any newly-hatched lice.

The Lice.org Complete Lice Kit allows you to get everything you need in one kit to eradicate lice from your life. First, use extra large bags to quarantine bedding and stuffed animals, then spray in the lice immobilizer spray thoroughly through hair and twist thehair up using the included professional clips and lavender-infused hair ties. Lice management conditioner helps prevent reinfestation between treatments, and the included hair bun maker helps to keep long hair tied up at school during outbreaks to prevent reinfestation.

For a single kit that has absolutely everything you need from start to finish in your battle against lice, Lice.org is the best lice treatment you can find.

Key Features
  • 31 piece all-in-one kit
  • Non-toxic essential oil ingredients
  • Professional grade kit
  • Two treatments, conditioner, comb, gloves, hair clips, shower cap, bedding bag and more,
Specifications
  • Format: Spray treatment, and conditioner
  • Package Size: Two 20 ml treatments
  • Includes Comb?: Yes
  • Effectiveness Time: 4 hours
  • Brand: Lice.org
Pros
  • Kills even super-lice, or resistant lice
  • Everything needed for treatment and re-treatment and maintenance
  • Non-toxic
  • Child-friendly fragrance
Cons
  • Long hair may require two kits

One of the best lice treatment kits is 100 percent natural Lice Combat Treatment Kit. This is a unique treatment kit because a generous amount of product is included. There is enough lice shampoo for ten treatments in a generous 16oz bottle. The kit also includes a 16oz bottle of leave-in treatment to protect hair against further infestation from lice. This means the entire family can be safely treated and retreated in ten days, and the leave-in cream can protect against recurrence.

Lice Combat Treatment Kit is safe, non-toxic and pesticide free. Made from tea tree oil and other essential oils, including lemongrass, it has a pleasant fragrance that makes it a much more kid-friendly product to use than many lice treatments made with harsh chemicals.

Lice Combat Shampoo kills living lice, and the leave-in cream functions both to smother any hatching lice and to guard against re-infestation when a child returns to school.

Included is two unique nit removing combs made of stainless steel with metal spiral micro-groove teeth to aid in sliding attached lice eggs from the hair shaft. Wipe the comb with a tissue after each swipe through hair before moving to the next section for best results. Two combs are included: one formatted to work with short hair and one with long. Unique hammer head edge is designed to easily crush any lice that are removed.

Lice Combat Treatment Kit is easy to use. Simply apply shampoo, wait ten minutes, and rinse. This formula is easy-rinsing. Then apply leave-in cream and begin the combing process to remove lice eggs. Retreating in ten days is recommended to remove any missed eggs that may have hatched.

This treatment not only works, it has a fresh, lemony scent and you can use it without fear of toxicity, making it one of the best lice treatments for both adults and children.

Key Features
  • Kit includes treatment shampoo, leave in cream and two combs
  • Tea tree oil and lemongrass formula
  • Tools for four step process to rid hair of lice and eggs
  • Non-toxic formula
Specifications
  • Format: Shampoo and leave-in cream
  • Package Size: 16 oz each
  • Includes Comb?: Yes
  • Effectiveness Time: Works immediately
  • Brand: NatulabUSA
Pros
  • Pesticide-free
  • Easy, four step process
  • Essential oil formula
  • Large bottles for up to 10 treatments
  • Includes two combs for long or short hair lengths
Cons
  • Leaves hair greasy
  • Pump tops need upgrading

One of the best lice treatments that offer two in one protection is the Lice Ladies Evict and Prevent 2-pack treatment. This formula was created and marketed bythe Lice Ladies’ chain of professional head lice removal salons—the experts in lice removal and prevention. This product 2-pack contains a mousse-style treatment foam to rid or “evict” the lice, and then a preventative spray that prevents further infestation and may be used daily when children or adults are in an environment where lice infestations are common, such as schools or daycare centers.

Both products are homeopathic, safe, and non-toxic. They are free of sulfates, parabens, and permethrins, and are lab tested to be safe and effective.

Lice Ladies Evict and Prevent is an easy three step program. Simply treat with the mousse, wait ten minutes and rinse. Then spray hair daily with preventative spray. Comb out nits and eggs. (comb is sold separately) The mousse will loosen the nits for easier removal.

Lice Ladies Evict and Prevent combines peppermint essential oil with coconut oil and dimethicone to safely and effectively kill lice and loosen eggs, while the refreshing natural peppermint scent makes lice removal a much more pleasant experience for both children and adults alike.

Repeat treatment in ten days to remove any newly hatched lice from missed eggs. The preventative spray can be used daily to prevent reinfestation if any live lice remain in the home or school environment, making Lice Ladies Evict and Prevent 2-pack treatment one of the best lice treatments available today.

Key Features
  • Lice treatment and preventative spray 2-pack
  • Mousse style treatment
  • Non-Toxic enzyme and peppermint oil formula
  • Effective on "Super-lice" that are pesticide resistent
Specifications
  • Format: Mousse treatment and spray preventative
  • Package Size: 4 oz treatment 8 oz preventative spray
  • Includes Comb?: No
  • Effectiveness Time: 10 minutes
  • Brand: Lice Ladies
Pros
  • Refreshing peppermint scent
  • Homeopathic, pesticide-free formula
  • Free of parabens, sulfates, permethrins
Cons
  • Comb must be purchased seperately

One of the best lice treatments that is non-toxic and pesticide-free is Licefreee Spray Head Lice Treatment for kids and adults. Licefreee was developed by a mom who was horrified by the toxic nature of the pesticide treatment she used to kill her daughter’s head lice. This formula is safe, non-toxic and 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed. It can be used on adults, children and even infants as young as 6 months. The mineral formula spray can kill even “super lice,” the strains of lice that have evolved to be resistant to the common pesticide treatments.

Licefreee kills live lice on contact and also kills eggs.

After spraying Licefreee Spray Head Lice Treatment, leave it on the hair until dry. Then comb through hair with the included metal nit-comb, wiping the comb clean with a tissue after each section. This should remove most dead lice, eggs, and nits—empty egg casings. The eggs should already be dead from this effective spray but should still be removed so children can pass head checks at school.

This treatment should work on the first try, but because it is non-toxic, many users choose to retreat hair again in ten days to remove any newly hatched lice from eggs that may have been missed and survived, thus decreasing the possibility of a recurrence..

Licefreee has been the choice of school nurses since it was first marketed in 1999, and because it isn’t a pesticide, lice cannot become resistant, making this one of the best lice treatment choices for those who want their treatment to be one and done.

Key Features
  • Mineral formula to safely kill lice on contact
  • Effective on "Super lice" pesticide resistant lice
  • Original non-toxic lice treatment
Specifications
  • Format: Spray
  • Package Size: 12 fl oz
  • Includes Comb?: Yes
  • Effectiveness Time: 20 minutes
  • Brand: Licefreee by Tec Labs
Pros
  • Safe and nontoxic
  • Mineral formula works on all hair types
  • Also kills eggs
  • safe for children as young as 6 months old
Cons
  • Strong licorice-like scent
  • Comb needs upgrading
  • States that eggs are killed on contact and no re-treating is needed, but uses had better results with a second treatment in ten days

The Quit Nits Lice Treatment Combo Pack is one of the best lice treatment choices for those who prefer natural, non-toxic ingredients rather than chemical pesticides. Quit Nits is made by Hylands Natural Products, a company that has been producing homeopathic remedies for years and is trusted by moms.

Quit Nits uses natural ingredients including quassia amara, a natural wood product that kills lice and their eggs. It also contains staphysagria, derived from the seeds of delphinium plants and known to be toxic to lice. Staphysagria is an ancient lice remedy. The third active ingredient in Quit Nits is sabadilla, another plant long known to kill lice and worms. Quit Nits combines these three natural ingredients for safe and effective treatment.

Quit Nits Lice Treatment Combo Pack includes a 4 oz bottle of cream to apply to dry hair, working through carefully. A shower cap is included. Quit Nits cream should remain on the hair for four hours, and then can be shampooed out.

Though Quit Nits contains an egg killing ingredient and combing isn’t necessary, it’s still recommended that you check you hair for remaining nits and remove if necessary. Repeat in 7 to ten days.

Quit Nit contains natural ingredients proven to be effective on lice that have become resistant to popular chemical insecticides used in many brands of lice treatments. All ingredients are low allergen and can be safely used on both children and adults, and the cream has a pleasant scent.

Included in the Quit Nit Kit is also a natural spray lice repellent that can protect you child from re-infestation when returning to school or other environments where lice are common. Ingredients include eucalyptus to repel lice.

Quit Nits may be the best lice treatment you can buy that's all-natural and non-toxic.

Key Features
  • Includes lice cream treatment and repellent spray
  • Free of chemical pesticides
  • Scientifically proven homeopathic remedy
  • Kills lice and their eggs
Specifications
  • Format: Leave in cream and spray repellent
  • Package Size: 4 fl oz
  • Includes Comb?: No-shower cap included
  • Effectiveness Time: 4 hours
  • Brand: Hylands Products
Pros
  • Pesticide-free and fights pesticide-resistant lice
  • Natural ingredients
  • Non-toxic and low allergen
  • Homeopathic treatment
  • Pleasant, chocolate-scent
Cons
  • Has to remain on hair for four hours
  • Despite claims, you may need to comb out nits for best results

One of the best lice treatments for those who prefer pesticide-free lice killing products is Head Hunters WipeOut Natural Head Lice Treatment. This is a conditioner-based lice treatment rather than a shampoo, so lice eggs are loosened and easier to remove. The natural ingredients included are sweet-smelling herbal extracts which smell great to humans, but are hated by lice.

Head Hunters WipeOut Lice Treatment is easily massaged into the scalp and through the hair and then must be left on for 20 minutes. Lice are killed by the natural plant extracts and the smothering effect of the added natural oils and dimethicone ensure that lice are killed, while it also loosens eggs for easier removal.

Head Hunters WipeOut Lice Treatment also includes a professionally designed stainless steel comb with anti-slip bands and special grooved teeth to ensure complete egg and nit removal, as well as the removal of dead lice.

Head Hunters WipeOut Lice Treatment is free of pesticides and can kill even “super lice” that are resistant to common pesticides.

Lice in all life stages are killed by this sweet smelling herbal conditioner. It includes scalp-soothing ingredients to relieve itching, and leaves hair shiny and healthy. It is gentle enough to be used as often as needed if reinfestation occurs and can be used weekly as a deep conditioning treatment, as well as to guard against lice for those who work or go to school where infestations commonly spread. It is also safe to use on those who have experienced failed chemical treatments, making this the best lice treatment to keep around the house to have when needed.

Key Features
  • Conditioner-based head lice treatment and comb
  • Kills lice in all life stages
  • Can be used after failed chemical treatment
  • Homeopathic treatment also relieves itching
Specifications
  • Format: Cream conditioner
  • Package Size: 12 fl oz
  • Includes Comb?: Yes
  • Effectiveness Time: 20 minutes
  • Brand: Head Hunters Natural Lice Products
Pros
  • Fast and easy treatment
  • Can be used as often as needed
  • Reaction is physical rather than chemical so no tolerance can be built
  • Light sweet scent
Cons
  • Instructions direct to leave the product on for 20 minutes, but better results were experienced when left on longer
  • Scent is too sweet for some users

Today’s best lice treatments have come a long way from the lice treatments of the past. In 48 US states, lice have been found to have developed a resistance to the common pesticides found in chemical lice treatments. Therefore, lice treatments have also had to evolve past the toxic chemicals and into other methods of eliminating lice and protecting against re-infestation.

The Best Lice Treatments That are Non-Toxic

Without the use of toxic chemicals, lice can still effectively be destroyed and prevented from recurring. New treatments include shampoos with herbal remedies such as tea tree oil, natural peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, rosemary and other herbs that are human-friendly but intolerable to lice. Some treatments include natural enzymes and mineral elements to destroy head lice and their eggs.

Other lice treatments use a smothering method to suffocate live lice with ingredients such as natural oils like jojoba, argan, and coconut oil, often infused with lice repelling herbs and ingredients to soften the natural adhesive that “glues” lice eggs to the hair shaft for easier removal.

Dimethicone is another lice-destroying ingredient that is now offered in many of the best lice treatments available that are safe and non-toxic. Dimethicone is a safe silicone product that is used in many skin creams and conditioners because of its ability to form a strong moisture barrier. Used in conditioner-type lice treatments, dimethicone can both suffocate live lice and loosen eggs and nits (nits are empty egg sacs.) for easier removal.

Removing Lice Eggs and Nit-Picking

Most of the best lice treatment kits contain special lice combs with dense tines to help capture lice eggs and nits and effectively slide them off of the hair shaft. While some product instructions state that eggs are killed by the ingredients in their treatment, it’s still advisable to remove all eggs from the hair to protect against the possibility of recurrence. Also, in many cases, children won’t be allowed to return to school, daycare, or camp until their hair is free of all nits and eggs.

While some products also claim to be “one and done” lice treatments with no retreatment necessary, most products recommend retreatment in 10 days. This is to target any new lice that have hatched from missed eggs before they mature enough to reproduce—effectively ending the lice infestation.

Even if the product you choose claims to kill all live lice and their eggs in one treatment, the infected person’s head should be regularly checked for two weeks or more to determine if another treatment is necessary. With pesticide-free lice treatments, you can treat as often as necessary. These can also be used after a pesticide-treatment without harm if the pesticide treatment wasn’t able to end the infestation.

Lice-Prevention Products

You can prevent becoming infested with head lice in several ways. Wearing long hair in braids, or up in buns can help lower the odds of a louse latching on to a hair shaft and making itself at home.

Some of the best lice treatment products also offer follow-up preventative care in products such as sprays, mousses, or shampoos to protect against head lice in places where they are commonly found, such as schools and daycare centers.

Whichever lice treatment you choose, it’s best to also check family members for lice as well, and treat all bedding.

And remember, lice is something you catch, just like a virus. It is not a sign of bad hygiene. Lice infestations can and do occur to people of all walks of life and all societies. When a child gets head lice, it’s important to first reassure them that this is nothing to be ashamed of. Then choose the best lice treatment for your needs, treat your child, and put on a great movie while you sit and comb carefully through the hair to remove nits—making lice a thing of the past.

Resources— HopkinsMed.org, HealthyChildren.org, PesticideResearchInstitute

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