How much time does lice treatment take? - briefly
The first application generally takes 10–15 minutes, and a follow‑up treatment is advised 7–10 days later.
How much time does lice treatment take? - in detail
The length of a lice eradication protocol depends on the product type, the infestation severity, and the follow‑up steps prescribed.
A single application of a prescription‑strength neurotoxic shampoo (e.g., 1% permethrin or 0.5% malathion) typically requires 10 minutes of contact time, after which the hair is rinsed. Most clinicians advise a repeat treatment 7–10 days later to eliminate newly hatched nymphs that survived the first dose. This second round adds another 10 minutes of exposure plus the time needed for washing and drying.
Over‑the‑counter silicone‑based lotions (e.g., dimethicone) often recommend a longer soak, usually 15 minutes, followed by a thorough combing session. The combing phase can last 30 minutes to an hour, depending on hair length and density. A second application is generally scheduled 7 days after the initial treatment, repeating the same procedure.
Non‑chemical options, such as heated air devices, involve a single session of about 20 minutes, but most manufacturers suggest a repeat session after one week to ensure complete clearance.
In practice, the overall timeline for a successful eradication program is:
- Initial treatment – 10–20 minutes of product contact plus drying/combing (15–60 minutes total).
- Observation period – 7–10 days to monitor for any surviving lice.
- Second treatment – same duration as the first.
- Post‑treatment checks – daily combing for 2–3 days to remove residual nits.
Consequently, the full process spans roughly two weeks, with active treatment time ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours across both applications. Rapid methods may reduce contact time but still require the 7–10‑day interval to address the life cycle of the parasite.