New Head Lice Removal Businesses For Families

Who would know that 2009 would become the Year of the Louse? This was supposed to be the Year of the Ox by the Japanese Zodiac, but upstart nit picker companies may be a new sign. While many businesses have downsized or closed up shop this year, lice removal specialists seem to be on the rise. Some nit pickers offer salon services and some offer in-home services.

On the west coast, for instance, Hair Spies is about to celebrate their first month anniversary. Hair Spies is the only delousing salon in San Mateo County in Burlingame, California. The new business, described in a recent press release through Market Wire, was formed by three sisters — an artist, a doctor and a preschool director — who have “the perfect combination of knowledge and experience for fighting head lice.”

Amanda Riccetti, co founder of Hair Spies, said, “We were all concerned about the fact that parents had very little help to fight head lice in a safe and non invasive way. We wanted to take the fear and stigma away from head lice removal, but most importantly, we want to be a solution to the problem.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 6 million to 12 million infestations of head lice occur each year in the United States among children 3 to 11 years of age. Actual data on how many people get head lice each year in the U.S. is not available. It is most common among preschool- and elementary school-age children and their household members and caretakers. Getting head lice is not related to the cleanliness of the person or their environment.

Lice Happens arrived on the scene for Baltimoreans in March 2009. Described as a mobile professional head lice removal service, Lice Happens serves Maryland, DC, Virginia and Southern New Jersey. Lice Happens, co founded by a registered nurse, M.J. Eckert, explains on their web site that the average visit for head lice removal is 11/2 -2 hours per head depending on the length and thickness of hair and degree of infestation. Lice Happens is also available for group screenings and treatment for schools, camps and daycare centers. They also provide seminars and educational presentations.

These head lice removal businesses use natural products. Hair Spies claims to offer safe, natural, non-toxic solutions that quickly eradicate head lice, 100 percent guaranteed.

While it’s hard to imagine buying a gift certificate for head lice removal, kudos for professional nit pickers and their services for families.