All About Head Lice Treatment Services
Head lice infestation is a widespread problem for families, causing significant stress and anxiety among parents and childcare workers. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that six to twelve million people are infected every year. While it is most common among children ages three to ten, it occurs more frequently in females than males for reasons that aren’t entirely understood.
With the rise of treatment-resistant lice, commonly known as “super lice,” more parents and child services are hiring professional services like Lice Charmers treatment centers. This shift is happening because typical drugstore and prescription options are no longer as effective as they were fifteen or more years ago.
New Services for an Old Problem
Recently, many lice salons and clinics offering professional lice treatment services have emerged across the country. The most significant advantage of these services is the peace of mind they provide—it is almost assured that you’ll be lice-free by the end of the treatment.
While the cost is a consideration, professional treatment is often more cost-effective than repeated failed DIY attempts. Rates vary by region, but the average price for this service is approximately $100 per hour. In severe cases involving long-term infestations or thick, curly hair, treatment may cost between $214 and $275 per child. Typically, a family of four can expect to spend between $250 and $400 to be fully cleared.
Head lice removal specialists use a proven combination of products and techniques—such as specialized shampoos, creams, fine-toothed combs, and meticulous nitpicking—to defeat an infestation in a single two to three-hour session.
Head Lice Treatment Used to Be Simple
Before the 1990s, washing your hair and scalp once or twice with a lice-killing shampoo containing pyrethrin was generally enough to stop an infestation. However, due to the extensive use of these pesticides, lice have developed a biological resistance. If an infestation recurs within one month of a traditional treatment, it is a clear sign that a different, more professional approach is needed.
4 Common Reasons for Treatment Failure
When DIY treatments fail, it is usually due to one of these four factors:
- Inadequate application: Not using enough product or missing sections of the scalp.
- Pediculicide resistance: The lice have evolved to survive common chemical pesticides.
- Failure to re-treat: Missing the window to kill newly hatched nits.
- Re-infection: Coming into contact with another infested individual shortly after treatment.