The most effective way to remove nits is the conditioner-and-comb method — working conditioner through dry, brushed hair, then combing through the hair in small sections with a fine-tooth metal lice comb, checking every section until nothing more is found. It's slower than a chemical treatment, but far more thorough, since it physically removes lice and eggs rather than relying on chemistry. Whether you're planning to tackle this yourself tonight or just want to understand what a proper treatment actually involves, here's the exact process, step by step.

What you'll need

A fine-tooth metal lice comb (avoid plastic — the teeth aren't close enough together to catch eggs), a cheap, white hair conditioner (white makes lice and eggs easier to spot against the comb), paper towel or tissues, hair clips or something to section the hair, and good, bright lighting.

Step 1: Start with dry, brushed hair

Brush the hair through thoroughly before you begin — not damp, not freshly washed. Dry, detangled hair makes it much easier to see what you're finding and gives the comb a clean run through each section.

Step 2: Apply conditioner generously

Work conditioner through the entire head of hair, making sure every section is covered. Conditioner doesn't kill lice, but it stuns them temporarily and makes both lice and eggs far easier to comb out and spot.

Step 3: Section the hair and work systematically

Start at the neckline and work upward in small rows, roughly 1cm at a time. Clip the rest of the hair out of the way so you're only working through one small section at a time. Skipping around the head rather than working systematically is the single biggest reason lice and eggs get missed.

Step 4: Comb each section three ways

For each 1cm row, comb through three times: once straight down, once horizontally, then a firmer “scratch” motion close to the scalp to dislodge any lice feeding there, followed by another horizontal pass. Lice grip tightly while feeding, so a single gentle pass often isn't enough to remove them.

Step 5: Check the comb after every pass

Wipe the comb onto a paper towel or tissue after each stroke and check what's there before moving on. This is how you tell the difference between:

Live lice — small, fast-moving insects.

Eggs (nits) — tiny, oval, firmly attached to the hair shaft close to the scalp.

Empty egg casings — the same shape as an egg, but lighter in colour, left behind after a louse has already hatched.

Dandruff or debris — moves freely when touched, unlike an egg which stays fixed to the hair.

Don't move on to the next row until a section comes back clean on consecutive passes.

Step 6: Repeat across the entire head

Continue row by row, moving from the neckline up and around the whole head, section by section, until every part of the scalp has been checked and combed.

Step 7: Check everyone in the household

Head lice spread through direct head-to-head contact, so it's worth checking every family member — not just the person who was originally found to have them.

Step 8: Clean your equipment properly

Once you're done, clean the comb thoroughly — rinse it under hot water and run a fingernail along the base of the teeth to release any trapped eggs or debris, or place it in the freezer for 24 hours. Never put a metal lice comb in the dishwasher, and handle the teeth gently so you don't bend or damage them.

Step 9: Do it again in 5–7 days

This step is the one people most often skip — and it's the one that actually breaks the cycle. Even a careful, thorough comb can occasionally miss a single egg, especially in thick or long hair. A follow-up comb 5–7 days later catches any egg that's since hatched, before the newly hatched louse is old enough to lay eggs of its own.

Frequently asked questions

Is the conditioner-and-comb method better than chemical treatments?

It's generally more reliable. Chemical treatments can kill live lice but are often far less effective against eggs, and lice resistance to some chemical formulas is becoming more common. Physical combing doesn't rely on chemistry, so it isn't affected by resistance.

How long does it take to comb through a full head of hair?

It depends on hair length and thickness, but a thorough job typically takes 45 minutes to over an hour per person. Rushing is the most common reason lice or eggs get missed.

Do I need to do this more than once?

Yes. A follow-up comb 5–7 days after the first is an essential part of the process, not an optional extra.

What if I can't find a lice comb with fine enough teeth? Look specifically for a metal comb designed for head lice, not a general-purpose detangling comb. The tooth spacing matters — it needs to be tight enough to catch both lice and eggs.

Don't want to do the process yourself?

It's thorough, but it's also time-consuming and easy to rush when you're tired or a child is squirming. If you'd rather leave it to someone trained to do it properly, that's exactly what we're here for. Make a booking and let the experts do the job.

To see our full process, you can see the training videos HERE.