Will Hair Colour Kill Head Lice?
We often get asked whether hair colour will kill head lice. In this article, we will debunk the common misconception.
Feb 21, 2026 · 4 min read
TL;DR
Hair dye does not reliably kill head lice. The chemicals in hair colour are not designed to target lice, and many lice survive the process. For effective treatment, use silicone- or oil-based products or wet combing instead.
Do head lice survive hair colouring?
Head lice live close to the scalp and feed on blood. Hair dye contains ammonia, peroxide, and other chemicals that can irritate the scalp, but they do not consistently kill lice or their eggs. Some lice may die from exposure, but many survive — and the eggs (nits) are especially resilient.
Relying on hair colour as a lice treatment is a common misconception. If you have lice, use a proven method: a silicone-based lotion, wet combing with a fine-toothed comb, or a visit to a professional clinic.
What actually works for head lice?
Effective treatments work by suffocating lice (silicone or oil-based products) or physically removing them (wet combing). These methods don't depend on chemicals that lice might resist.
If you're unsure whether you have lice, use our free head lice checker for an indicative result before treating.