While there are proven remedies on the market designed to treat lice, over time, over-the-counter products started popping up claiming to repel lice. Some studies have shown that certain ingredients in some of the products – which are mostly plant oils such as citronella, rosemary, tea tree, eucalyptus, and lemon grass – may actually work when it comes to repelling lice. Due to the fact that the products are labeled as “natural”, they do not require Food and Drug Administration testing and approval.
It is important ask your children to avoid any head-to-head contact, not share their belongings (such as headphones, hair accessories, hats, combs, etc.), and to generally avoid shared spaces where clothing items and hats are hung on common hooks. However, if need be, regular head lice repellent sprays might be ideal, or as an alternative: hair bands designed to repel lice. While lice repellent sprays are a convenient solution, it can be time consuming and a bit of a pain when it comes to applying them. Hair bands could be an even more convenient solution. Lice repellent shampoo can also be a solution worth looking into, but when it comes to convenience, head lice repellent hair bands are easier to carry, they can fit in small bag pockets or pouches, and are lightweight – this could also be a benefit if you have to take traveling into consideration.
They function like normal hair bands, and are based on the theory that repellent sprays have. While the clinical evidence is somewhat lacking when it comes to hair bands and the success of the product, it is an alternative that parents might want to look into. They are infused with oils designed to repel lice, and using essential oils also means that the hair bands contain natural ingredients (as mentioned earlier), which could be a child-friendly approach when it comes to the issue of lice.
The hair bands contain no artificial ingredient or pesticides, and they are simply meant to be worn on the head during the day in order to protect against lice – they should not be considered a treatment against lice. In addition, tot unlike the repellent sprays, the products are meant to have a pleasant smell. Depending on the brand, they can provide up to 2 weeks of protection, and in certain cases water will not wash away the infused essences.
Due to the fact that there haven’t been major studies around lice repellent hair bands, it is important to do proper research about the product in order to make an informed choice and a confident buy. Every parent should draw their own conclusion about the efficiency of the product, in order to ensure that the product is ideal for their children – certain products claim a high percentage when it comes to how effective they are. It is important to note once again that the hair bands should not be used as a treatment against head lice, as the products will not deal with any existing infestation, and they are simply a way to prevent it.
