HEAD LICE! LETS TAKE A CRAWL EH?!
- House Of Quirk
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Let’s face it – head lice have a bad reputation, and there’s a lot of confusion out there about what they are, how they spread, and what to do when they show up.
As a salon that cares deeply about our hair community's wellbeing and comfort, we at HQ are passionate about providing not just good hair, but also sound advice when it comes to scalp health and hygiene.
This blog is your go-to guide to busting head lice myths, spotting signs early, understanding treatments, and knowing what to expect when you visit us if they are detected.
What Are Head Lice, Really?
Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live on the scalp and feed on small amounts of our blood. Though they’re harmless in terms of health, they’re certainly unpleasant and can cause significant scalp discomfort – mainly itching and irritation.
Contrary to popular belief:
They don’t care if your hair is clean or dirty. Although the eggs cannot attach to the hair if there is scalp grease build up.
They cannot be caught from pets. Head lice are a species-specific and only live on humans.
They do not fly, jump, or swim! They simply crawl from one head to another through close contact.
Lice are especially common among school-aged children (but not limited to) due to the closeness of heads in class rooms and during play, which is why outbreaks in schools are fairly routine. This in turn affects adults in families due to the nature of living as a family! Whilst they can be a nuisance, they’re entirely treatable.
How to Spot Head Lice
Head lice range from whitish to grey-brown in colour and can vary in size depending on their life stage – from the size of a pinhead (nymph/baby louse) to a sesame seed (adult louse).
Nits (lice eggs) are tiny slightly transparent white or yellowish ovals attached close to the hair shaft.
The most reliable way to confirm head lice at home is through detection combing – a systematic way of combing the hair with a fine-toothed comb to check for live lice.
Detection Combing – Dry Method
Dry detection is best for spotting lice, but does not involve shampooing beforehand. Here’s the correct method:
-Dry and detangle hair thoroughly using a wide-toothed comb.
-Once the hair is free of tangles, switch to a fine-toothed detection comb.
-Section the hair and comb from the scalp to the ends, wiping the comb onto kitchen tissue after each stroke.
-Pay close attention to warm areas like behind the ears, the nape of the neck, and just under the crown.
-Comb through all areas of the head, repeating each section at least twice.
Detection & Treatment – Wet Combing Method
This method is both diagnostic and therapeutic. It’s often the most accessible, affordable way to treat lice without the use of chemicals.
-Wash hair with regular shampoo + towel dry.
-Apply plenty of conditioner – do not rinse it out.
-Detangle hair with a wide comb.
-Using a lice detection comb, work in small sections from root to tip.
-Check the comb after each pass and remove any lice with kitchen tissue.
-Continue section by section until the entire head is done. Repeat each section at least twice.
To treat an infestation, repeat wet combing on days 5, 9, 13, and 17. This interrupts the lifecycle and ensures newly hatched lice are also removed.
Effective Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
Only treat when you find a live louse – treatments are not preventative and should not be used unless necessary.
✔️ Recommended Options:
-Wet Combing: Safe, more thorough + effective on very early detection.
-Pharmacy Treatments: Products like dimeticone lotions (suffocates lice) or malathion solutions (chemical insecticide) can be used.
Always follow instructions carefully.
Lice Combs: Invest in a high-quality metal-toothed comb designed for best detection and removal!
Cost Guide: Pharmacy treatments range from £5–£15.
Wet combing requires only conditioner and a good lice comb – often the most budget-friendly route, but not great for when there is a lot of adult lice and eggs.
Can You Prevent Head Lice?
Unfortunately, no treatment offers 100% prevention – but you can certainly reduce the chances of an infestation:
-Perform weekly detection combing at home.
-Avoid head-to-head contact, especially in group settings.
-Don’t share hats, scarves, brushes, or pillows - Lice live 12-24hrs once detached from the hair.
-Use a natural lice-repelling spray regularly.
Here’s a tried and tested DIY prevention spray we love to recommend you to make here at HQ:
HQ’s Natural Lice-Repellent Spray Recipe (for adults and children over 5years old):
30ml witch hazel (or vodka!)
10 drops tea tree oil
10 drops lavender oil
5 drops peppermint oil
5 drops rosemary oil
120ml water
Method: Add all of the oils above, followed by the water into a clean 150ml spray bottle (or whatever size you have) and shake to combine!
How To Use: Make sure to shake before every use as oil and water separate naturally. Lightly mist throughout loose sections of dry or slightly damp (not wet) hair each morning before school or outings to group settings.
Tip: This spray can also be used on hats, brushes, and bedding too!
Important: This is not a treatment – it’s a mild + natural preventative measure to deter lice, and does not kill them.
For children between 2yrs-5yrs, follow this recipe:
This version uses half the essential oil concentration of the recipe above, which is generally a 0.5% dilution, which is safe for most children over 2 years old.
20ml witch hazel (or vodka!)
4drops of Tea tree oil
4drops of Lavender Oil
80mls water
For children under 2 years old, extra care is needed. Their skin and respiratory systems are especially delicate, and most essential oils should be avoided or used in extremely diluted forms. We dont recommending exposing little ones under 2years old to essential oils.
The HQ Salon Policy on Head Lice
At House of Quirk, we pride ourselves on being a safe, hygienic and respectful salon environment. Head lice are a common and natural issue – there absolutely is no judgment here.
However, as professionals responsible for the wellbeing of our clients and team, we do have a clear salon policy regarding lice to prevent cross-contamination + infestation due to head lice being very contagious.
Here’s How We Handle It – Gently and Professionally:
If head lice are detected before your appointment begins:
We will kindly reschedule your service for a minimum of two weeks later. You’ll be offered discreet and supportive advice, with no cancellation fee. We would then take a deposit of 50% of the appointment cost to book your rescheduled appointment. This is fully refundable if you follow the rescheduled appointment policy mentioned below, which is the same as our normal cancellation policy.
If lice are discovered mid-service:
The service will be paused immediately to avoid any spread. If you're having a hair cut, we’ll do our best to quickly even out the base-line shape so that your hair is still presentable, though not dried, styled or finished to our full HQ standards.
We will not be able to dry or style hair that has been wet if lice are found - We do try our best to spot lice during your consultation prior to washing your hair, but head lice can be shy and can hide more easily in dry hair.
All equipment, sinks, gowns, and towels will be thoroughly sterilised before being used again + you will only be charged for the portion of the service completed.
We understand that discovering lice during a salon visit can feel stressful or embarrassing – please rest assured that our team will always treat the situation with sensitivity, discreetness and professionalism. Its very common for us and we dont bat an eyelash!
Rescheduled Appointment Policy
If head lice are still present at your follow-up appointment, we will unfortunately have to apply a 50% cancellation fee as we cannot carry out the service for a second time.
To avoid this, we kindly ask that treatments at home are followed thoroughly, done a second time a week later, and that you check hair again a few days before your visit when your confirmation text/email arrives to give you/us time for any rescheduling necessary.
Final Thoughts!
Head lice are common, manageable, and nothing to be ashamed of or worried about. We believe education is key to reducing their spread, and we’re always here to offer advice, reassurance, and support!
If in doubt before your appointment, a quick detection combing session at home can save the day! + If you’re ever unsure, just give us a call, or pop in for a chat – we’re always happy to help.
Together, let’s keep heads happy, healthy, and lice-free.
With care,
The HQ Team x 🖤
Did you notice anything unique about the photo below?!
Louse Actress: Our Bobbi! Didnt she do a good job?!
