In our house, we take a “prevention is better than cure” approach to lice and nits. That means bringing out our go-to hairstyles that help keep them from settling in, rather than waiting to deal with an outbreak after the fact.
If your child is at school, lice and nits are pretty much inevitable at some point. Classrooms and playgrounds are perfect conditions for them — lots of little heads bent close together, giving lice easy opportunities to jump from one head to the next.
There’s no shortage of advice online about treating lice once they’ve arrived, but one of the simplest and most effective preventative steps is keeping hair tied back. Loose, flowing hair gives lice more surface area to grab onto and more chances to transfer between children. Try these easy hairstyles to help keep hair secure and reduce the risk.
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Our Favourite Hairstyles to Prevent Lice and Nits
The rule in our home is simple: hair is always tied up in some shape or form. The less loose hair there is, the harder it is for lice and nits to find a foothold.
The best hairstyles for lice prevention are the ones that hold hair tightest, leaving as little loose or flyaway hair as possible. It’s not always easy to keep it looking neat all day — by home time, it rarely looks the way it did at the school gate — but a secure style still does its job.
Here are a few hairstyles that are quick enough to manage during the morning school rush, and effective at keeping hair contained.
Ballet Bun
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The classic ballet bun is easier than ever now, thanks to hair doughnuts available in pharmacies and high street shops.
- Tie the hair back into a single ponytail.
- Slide the doughnut over the ponytail so it sits against the head.
- Spread the hair out to cover the doughnut.
- Wrap the remaining hair around the base to hide the doughnut completely.
- Secure with bobby pins.
- For extra hold, smooth a little hairspray over the finished bun, working from the front of the head down to the base.
Tip: Hairspray also coats the hair strands, making it a little harder for lice to grip on.
French Braid
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If you’re not the most confident with a French braid, don’t let the time it takes put you off. One of the best things about braids is that you can do them the night before rather than in the morning rush.
Braiding is also easier — and gives a neater, tighter finish — when the hair is damp rather than freshly washed and dry. Doing it the evening before means one less job to squeeze in before school too.
Tip: If French braids feel tricky, build up your confidence with a regular three-strand braid first.
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Double Dutch
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A Dutch braid works on the same principle as a French braid, adding in new strands of hair as you go. The difference is in the technique — instead of crossing strands over the top, you cross them underneath.
This gives the braid a raised look, as though it’s sitting on top of the hair rather than woven into it.
Tip: If you have older children in the house, get them involved in braiding younger siblings’ hair in the morning — it’s a great way to speed up the routine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do hairstyles really help prevent lice and nits?
Keeping hair tied back and secure won’t guarantee your child avoids lice, but it does reduce the amount of loose hair available for lice to grab onto and cuts down the chances of hair-to-hair contact spreading them between children.
What’s the best hairstyle for lice prevention?
Styles that hold hair tightly and close to the head — like a ballet bun, French braid or Dutch braid — tend to work best, since they leave little loose hair for lice to latch onto.
Can I do these hairstyles the night before school?
Yes. Braided styles in particular work well done the evening before, especially on damp hair, which gives a neater, longer-lasting finish and saves time in the morning.
Does hairspray help prevent lice?
A light coating of hairspray can make it slightly harder for lice to grip the hair strands, and it also helps hold a style in place for longer during the school day.
Related Articles
- 6 Head Lice Treatment Products and Tools Parents Recommend
- Here’s What Pharmacists Advise for How to Get Rid of Head Lice
- 13 Things They Don’t Warn You About When Your Child is Starting School
Save This for Busy School Mornings
Short on time before the school run? Save this article so you’ve got these hairstyles handy whenever you need a quick, lice-smart option for busy mornings.
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