How to comb out lice after treatment?

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How to comb out lice after treatment? - briefly
After the medication has been applied and the waiting period specified by the product label has passed, use a fine‑toothed lice comb on wet hair, moving from the scalp outward and cleaning the comb after each stroke. Continue combing every 2–3 days for two weeks to eliminate any remaining nits.

How to comb out lice after treatment? - in detail
After applying a pediculicide, the primary step is to eliminate any surviving insects and nits using a specialized lice comb. Choose a metal or high‑quality plastic comb with teeth spaced 0.2 mm apart; this spacing captures both lice and their eggs.

Prepare the hair

Wash the scalp with a mild shampoo; do not use conditioner, which can make the hair slippery.
Towel‑dry until damp but not wet; damp hair allows the comb to glide smoothly and improves grip on the nits.

Apply a detangling agent

Spread a small amount of leave‑in conditioner or a water‑based detangler over the entire length. This reduces breakage and prevents the comb from snagging.

Section the hair

Divide the hair into 1‑inch (2.5 cm) sections using clips. Working on small sections ensures thorough coverage and prevents missing hidden eggs.

Comb through each section

Starting at the scalp, draw the comb down to the ends in a single, steady motion.
After each pass, wipe the comb teeth on a tissue or rinse under running water to remove captured lice and nits.
Repeat the pass 5–7 times per section before moving to the next.

Inspect the comb

After each section, examine the teeth under a bright light. Any visible nits should be removed manually with fine tweezers.

Repeat the process

Perform a full combing session every 2–3 days for two weeks. This schedule covers the life cycle of any eggs that may have survived the initial treatment.

Post‑combing care

Rinse the hair thoroughly to eliminate residual conditioner and debris.
Air‑dry or use a low‑heat setting; high heat can damage the scalp after chemical treatment.

Consistent, methodical combing combined with proper hair preparation maximizes the likelihood of eradicating all remaining parasites and prevents reinfestation.