Using a Flat Iron with Lice

There are many questions around using a flat iron while having lice. In this article, we dive into the benefits, the how to’s, and warnings. Head lice can be very tricky, embarrassing (it should not be, but we understand), and a very unfamiliar situation. We have done some research to help you while dealing with a very common situation.

I have head lice can I use a Flat Iron/Curler?

The short answer is yes you can. There are a lot of different things you will need to consider before using a flat iron on your hair. There is a lot of different information on the web, and it is vital to sort the myths from the actual truths.

Does Using a flat iron help kill lice?

The Head Lice Center explains that adult lice will die if they experience anything over 104 Fahrenheit or 40 Celsius the full article is here. A flat iron will obviously be much hotter than that, so the quick answer to the question is yes a flat iron will kill lice. The longer answer is a bit more complicated. A flat iron will only kill adult lice in your hair which means any eggs will still hatch and start the cycle over again. You also have to think about how you use a flat iron. You do not have the hot iron part close to your scalp, so obviously, it will not kill any lice or eggs near your scalp either. While a flat iron might play a small part in killing lice, it is an entirely ineffective form of treatment for lice. Stick to your lice combs and doctor prescribed shampoo to eradicate the infection completely.

Are there any drawbacks to using a flat iron while having lice?

There is a lot of information on the internet about flat irons sealing in eggs (also known as nits) to the hair making it impossible to treat the eggs until they hatch. Three different studies show that this is only a myth. Nits are killed by extreme temperatures just like adult larva. The problem? Lice almost always their eggs at the base of hair on your scalp. Getting that area of your head hot enough to kill nits would be extremely painful and is unnecessary.

Does sharing a flat iron lead to contaminating another person’s hair?

The short answer is probably not, but it’s not worth risking. Lice have short stubby legs that end in claws so flat surfaces are not kind to them. Not to mention they do not like extreme heat and the only time you should have your iron in your hair it should be hot enough to kill any lice. To learn more about lice and their tendencies an excellent article is here. It would be very unlikely that lice would stay on a flat iron long enough for another person to use it and the lice to get in the hair but even as tiny of a chance as it might be why risk it?


The long and short of using a flat iron while having lice in your hair is simple. It will not treat the infection properly, but if you still want great looking hair using a the best flat iron there are no real setbacks. Just be smart and listen to what the doctor says and within 24-72 hours your hair should be insect free.

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