HEAD LICE

The bane of many parents, the head louse is a tiny, wingless parasitic insect that lives among human hairs and feeds on extremely small amounts of blood drawn from the scalp. Although they may sound gross, lice (the plural of louse) are a very
common problem, especially for kids ages 3 years to 12 years (girls more often than boys).

Lice aren’t dangerous and they don’t spread disease, but they are contagious and can just be downright annoying. Their bites may cause a child’s scalp to become itchy and inflamed, and persistent scratching may lead to skin irritation and even infection. It’s wise to treat head lice quickly once the diagnosis is made because they can spread easily from person to person.

Signs of Head Lice

Though very small, lice can be seen by the naked eye. What you or your doctor might see by thoroughly examining your child’s head:

Lice eggs (called nits). These look like tiny yellow, tan, or brown dots before they hatch. Lice lay nits on hair shafts close to the scalp, where the temperature is perfect for keeping warm until they hatch. Nits look sort of like dandruff, only they can’t be removed by brushing or shaking them off. Unless the infestation is heavy, it’s more common to see nits in a child’s hair than
it is to see live lice crawling on the scalp. Lice eggs hatch within 1 to 2 weeks after they’re laid. After hatching, the remaining shell looks white or clear and continues to be firmly attached to the hair shaft. This is the stage when it’s easiest to spot them, as the hair is growing longer and the egg shell is moving further away from the scalp.

Adult lice and nymphs (baby lice). The adult louse is no bigger than a sesame seed and is grayish-white or tan. Nymphs
are smaller and become adult lice about 1 to 2 weeks after they hatch. Most lice feed on blood several times a day, but they can survive up to 2 days off the scalp.

Scratching. With lice bites come itching and scratching. This is actually due to a reaction to the saliva of lice. However, the itching may not always start right away — that depends on how sensitive your child’s skin is to the lice. It can sometimes take weeks for kids with lice to start scratching. They may complain, though, of things moving around on or tickling their heads.

Small, red bumps or sores from scratching. For some kids, the irritation is mild; for others, a more bothersome rash may develop. Excessive scratching can lead to a bacterial infection (the skin would become red and tender and may have crusting and oozing along with swollen lymph glands). If your doctor thinks this is the case, he or she may treat the infection with an oral antibiotic.

You may be able to see the lice or nits by parting your child’s hair into small sections and checking for lice and nits with a fine-tooth comb on the scalp, behind the ears, and around the nape of the neck (it’s rare for them to be found on eyelashes or  eyebrows). A magnifying glass and bright light may help. But it can be tough to find a nymph or adult louse — often, there aren’t many of them and they’re able to move fast.

Call your doctor if your child is constantly scratching his or her head or complains of an itchy scalp that won’t go away. The doctor should be able to tell you if your child is infested with lice and needs to be treated. Not all kids have the classic symptoms of head lice and may be totally symptom-free.

Also be sure to check with your child’s school nurse or childcare center director to see if other kids have recently been treated for lice. If you discover that your child does, indeed, have lice or nits, contact the staff at the school and childcare center to let them know.  Find out what their return policy is. Most usually allow kids to return after one topical treatment has been completed.

Are Lice Contagious? Lice are highly contagious and can spread quickly from person to person, especially in
group settings (schools, childcare centers, slumber parties, sports activities, and camps). Though they can’t fly or jump, these tiny parasites have specially adapted claws that allow them to crawl and cling firmly to hair. They spread mainly through
head-to-head contact, but sharing clothing, bed linens, combs, brushes, and hats can also help pass them along. Kids are most prone to catching lice because they tend to have close physical contact with each other and often share personal items. And you
may wonder if Fido or Fluffy may be catching the pests and passing them on to your family. But rest assured that pets can’t catch head lice and pass them on to people or the other way around.

Treatment Your doctor can recommend a medicated shampoo, cream rinse, or lotion to kill the lice. These may be over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications, depending on what treatments have already been tried. Medicated lice treatments usually kill the lice and nits, but it may take a few days for the itching to stop. For very resistant lice, an oral medication might be prescribed. It’s important to follow the directions exactly because these products are insecticides. Applying too much medication — or using it too frequently — can increase the risk of causing harm. Follow the directions on the product label to ensure that the treatment works properly. Treatment may be unsuccessful if the medication is not used correctly or if the lice are resistant to it. After treatment, your doctor may suggest combing out the nits with a fine-tooth comb and also may recommend repeating treatment in 7 to 10 days to kill any newly hatched nits.

Removing By Hand

If your child is 2 years old or younger, you should not use medicated lice treatments. You’ll need to remove the nits and lice by hand. To remove lice and nits by hand, use a fine-tooth comb on your child’s wet, conditioned hair every 3 to 4 days for 2 weeks after the last live louse was seen. Wetting the hair beforehand is recommended because it temporarily immobilizes the lice
and the conditioner makes it easier to get a comb through the hair. Wet combing is also an alternative to pesticide treatments in older kids. Though petroleum jelly, mayonnaise, or olive oil are sometimes used in an attempt to suffocate head lice, these treatments have not been proven to be effective. Keep in mind that head lice don’t survive long once they fall off a person. So it’s
unnecessary to spend a great deal of time and money trying to rid the house of lice.

Preventing Reinfestation

Here are some simple ways to get rid of the lice and their eggs, and help prevent a lice reinfestation:
Wash all bed linens and clothing that’s been recently worn by anyone in your home who’s infested in very hot water (130° F [54.4° C]), then put them in the hot cycle of the dryer for at least 20 minutes.
Have bed linens, clothing, and stuffed animals and plush toys that can’t be washed dry-cleaned. Or, put them in airtight bags for 2 weeks.
Vacuum carpets and any upholstered furniture (in your home or car).
Soak hair-care items like combs, barrettes, hair ties or bands, headbands, and brushes in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for 1 hour. You can also wash them in hot water or just throw them away.

Because lice are easily passed from person to person in the same house, bedmates and infested family members will also need treatment to prevent the lice from coming back.

Dont’s

In your efforts to get rid of the bugs, there are some things you shouldn’t do. Some don’ts of head lice treatment include:
Don’t use a hair dryer on your child’s hair after applying any of the currently available scalp treatments because some contain flammable ingredients.
Don’t use a cream rinse or shampoo/conditioner combination before applying lice medication.
Don’t wash your child’s hair for 1 to 2 days after using a medicated treatment.
Don’t use sprays or hire a pest control company to try to get rid of the lice, as they can be harmful.
Don’t use the same medication more than three times on one person. If it doesn’t seem to be working, your doctor may recommend another medication.
Don’t use more than one head lice medication at a time.

Preventing Lice

Having head lice is not a sign of uncleanliness or poor hygiene. The pesky little bugs can be a problem for
kids of all ages and socioeconomic levels, no matter how often they do — or don’t — clean their hair or bathe. However,
you can help to prevent kids from getting lice — or from becoming reinfested with lice — by taking the following precautions:
Tell kids to try to avoid head-to-head contact at school (in gym, on the playground, or during sports) and while playing at home with other children.
Tell kids not to share combs, brushes, hats, scarves, bandanas, ribbons, barrettes, hair ties or bands, towels, helmets, or other personal care items with anyone else, whether they may have lice or not.
Tell kids not to lie on bedding, pillows, and carpets that have recently been used by someone with lice.
Every 3 or 4 days, examine members of your household who have had close contact with a person who has lice. Then, treat those who are found to have lice or nits close to the scalp.

Will They Ever Be Gone?

As many parents know firsthand, lice infestation can be a persistent nuisance, especially in group settings. If your child still has lice and you’ve followed every recommendation, it could be because: some nits were left behind; your child is still being exposed to someone with lice; the treatment you’re using isn’t effective.  There’s no doubt that they can be hard bugs to get rid of. If your child still has lice 2 weeks after you started treatment or if your child’s scalp looks infected, call your doctor.

No matter how long the problem lasts, be sure to emphasize to your child that although having lice can certainly be very embarrassing, anyone can get them. It’s important for kids to understand that they haven’t done anything wrong and that
having lice doesn’t make them dirty. And reassure them that as aggravating as getting rid of the annoying insects can be, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Be patient and follow the treatments and prevention tips as directed by your
doctor for keeping the bugs at bay, and you’ll be well on your way to keeping your family lice-free.

Reviewed
by: Yamini Durani, MD

Date reviewed: May 2011

Source:  KidsHealth®

To create the Heart Braid, you need:

• A Wide-Toothed Comb
• A Fine-Toothed Comb
• A Hair Clip
• Ponytail Holders

Step 1: Starting with towel-dried hair, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle the hair (try Cow Licks Perfectly Peach Detangler for amazing results). Next, use the fine tooth comb to part her hair down the middle of her head and clip one side up over the ear.

Step 2: On the other side of the part, use the fine comb to gather a thin section of hair from the crown. This section should measure about 2 inches from the hairline to the top of the head.

Step 3: Divide this section into three, and begin a French braid starting at the crown and curving toward the temple, then toward the back of the head, like the top lobe of a heart. You will be lifting hair into the braid only from this side of the part. Do not leave loose hair in front of the ear.

Step 4: When you reach the center part at the back of the head, secure the braid with a ponytail holder. If the hair is very long, end the braid about mid ear; the ends will hang down the back.

Step 5: Clip up the hair on the other side of the part and repeat the process. Secure with a ponytail holder.

Step 6: Join the two ends of the braids together in the back with a ponytail holder to form the bottom point of the heart.

THAT’S IT!!  A PICTURE PERFECT SWEETHEART BRAID!

HAPPY BRAIDING!

There really aren’t any hard and fast rules for when a child is ready for their first haircut. It is really up to the parents – if you can’t stand the look anymore or if it seems the kid is uncomfortable with their hair in their eyes.

That being said, the idea of bringing your child in for his first ‘do can be traumatic for both parent and child. It can be emotional (“my baby isn’t a ‘baby’ anymore!”) or anxiety ridden (“why is that stranger coming at me with scissors?!”), and thus postponed despite how long the bangs seem to be growing.

Here are some tips to help bite the bullet and avoid a mini-Bret Michaels:

• The younger the child is for their first cut, the faster they get over any fears and anxieties.
• Talk with your little one about getting a haircut beforehand to familiarize them with the process.
• Have your tot watch you get a cut first (Cow Licks gives fab adult cuts!) or at the same time.
• Schedule the haircut during a quieter time in the day when there are no intimidating crowds.
• Remember to relax! If you are nervous or overly emotional, a child will pick up on it right away.

Cow Licks Hair Salon also has awesome interactive cars and planes for the kids to ride/fly during their haircut and a huge assortment of DVDs to select from to take their mind off the “chop.” Of course lollipops and balloons help a lot too! To make the most of the occasion, be sure to book Cow Licks commemorative First Haircut package that includes the locks of hair, before and after photos and personalized certificate.

Parabens

Why all the hype? Well, parabens are a potentially hazardous ingredient. It disrupts the endocrine function by mimicking the estrogen hormone in the body. Hormonal imbalance can play havoc in the body. It is also known to invoke allergic response in some people. The most dangerous potential effect of parabens comes in the form of cancer. Parabens are known to have been found in the tissues of breast tumor and is suspected to be associated with breast cancer.

Needless to say, consumers are now opting to find products for their family that are Paraben-free. That’s where we come in!  Using the same quality you have come to expect from us, Cow Licks Kids Salon has manufactured their very own line of children’s hair and body care products that are not only tear free, but paraben and sulfate free as well.  We have created an exceptional line that cleans and moisturizes fantastically while removing all of the worry; and amazing scents that will have the kids begging for bath time.

Stop in and learn more about our products:

Giggly Grape 2-in-1 Shampoo

Bubblegum Pop! 2-in-1 Shampoo

Strawberry Smoothie Conditioner

Orange Creamsicle Leave-in Conditioner

Perfectly Peach Detangler

Citrus Zinger Bubble Bath & Body Wash

Runners up, you did a divine, bovine job as well with Buzz Cuttigan, Clippers and Moonique. But Mooie Louie is the winner and you can visit him anytime you come in the salon.

And as for you, Sydney and Andrew, you will be enjoying your ice cream treats with your new friend very soon!

Worried about a bird’s nest on your head? Don’t be.

Though this mega-trend can easily be overdone, a well-edited cluster that’s tucked behind one ear and just sort of pops out makes a perfect statement. Head down to Cow Licks Salon and have owner Peri Ginsberg show you just how to clip them in to the roots of your hair. Once there, they can stay for weeks – through showers, and even withstanding the curling iron.

These Pocahontas-like hair extensions are flying out the door with their popularity. But don’t worry, a new shipment is delivered each week!

Colors range from the neutral spectrum (best for 30-somethings and older) to wild neon colors like green, hot pink, turquoise. Get one for $10, two for $18 or three for $24. Join the flocks and get feathered!

.

Beat the Shampoo Blues:

Babies:

Toddlers:

Preschoolers and up: As your child’s hair gets longer, wash it every other day (less often for very curly, dry, or African-American hair; in these cases, you can use conditioner once a week, too)

Detangling the Tresses

• DO use a wide-tooth comb, or a boar-bristle or paddle brush, on dry hair. Avoid using your vent brush, which has tiny teeth that can snag 
• DON’T start at the top — you’ll just make tangles worse. Instead, begin at the ends and slowly work your way up the hair shaft, gently pulling apart knots with your fingers
• DO the hair at the nape of the neck first, which tends to get most tangled
• DON’T wet bad snarls. They’ll only get more matted. Work in some regular hair conditioner or spray detangler, and hold the hair at the scalp while you gently comb out

Cowlicks Be Gone!

To tame a tuft with a mind of its own you can:

• Blow-dry hair smooth from the roots down to the ends using a closely bristled brush
• Let hair grow longer so it will be weighed down
• Use styling gel or cream to slick it down — or play it up with a kid-friendly hair gel! Spikey is in!

I’m black and white all over, but I don’t have a name!

Cow-a-bunga! The Barnyard Blog’s narrator and Cow Licks most adored mascot, is looking for an identity. Please help and submit your favorite name to Cow Licks’ “Name that Cow” contest. Win and you could receive an ice cream party for up to eight in Boca’s most popular salon and a FREE kids hair cut! Moms and Dads, don’t be shy - you can enter too and win!

All entries should be in by July 31st. Send your submission, along with your name, age and phone number, to
info@cowlickssalon.com with the subject line: Naming the Cow. Winner will be contacted by August 5th via phone or email.

Best of luck to all of you…and as for me, next time I’ll have a name when I moo!

Keep your sheen and beat the chlorine this summer while at the pool. Your little fish can enjoy endless hours in the pool while keeping their luscious locks looking luxurious by following these three steps:

1. Start with our organic Fairytales™ CoCo Cabana Leave-in Sun Spray before embarking on your day in the sun. The delicious scent leaves you dreaming of a tropical get-away while the coconut oil, banana extracts and jojoba create a conditioning barrier around the hair preventing sun damage.

2. Follow up your outdoor adventures with our Fairytales™ Lifeguard Clarifying Shampoo. This extra strength, organic formula removes chlorine and gently lifts out dirt, dust, pollution, salt water and other surface build-up, while moisturizing and untangling the hair with fruit enzymes and citrus extracts. Gentle enough to use on your hair every day!

3. Lastly, protect those marvelous manes with our Fairytales™ Lemonade Conditioner, infused with extracts of lemon, grapefruit and pineapple to help remove any leftover harsh minerals- and creamy aloe vera, jojoba and vitamins A, D and E to condition and moisturize. Perfect after a day in the pool or at the beach!

So swim on over to get your trio of protection and you’ll be set for summer!

Photo Credit: swim underwater image by Julia Britvich from Fotolia.com

Cow Licks is hosting a Women, Wine & Jewelry fundraising event to support Boca Helping Hands.

On Tuesday, June 14th from 7-9pm, head to Cow Licks Salon and try on Stella & Dot’s moo-velous summer jewelry collection.  Inspired by Brazil, Morocco, and Palm Beach, these to-die-for pieces (half the line is under $50 and that’s no bull!) have already been sighted in InStyle, People Style Watch, and GMA. There’s even a Little Girls line! And everyone will love the cute gift box packaging.

Best of all, Cow Licks Kids Salon will be matching a percentage of the proceeds to donate to Boca Helping Hands. So come on out and saddle up for a fun night for a great cause!