In recent years in the U.S., head lice have been developing resistance to the insecticides in over-the-counter treatments such as Nix and RID. Medical studies in the United Kingdom show that bugs there have developed a resistance to the insecticide malathion, an active ingredient in Ovide. Many people are searching for new ways to kill these pests -- which affect six million to 12 million people each year in the U.S., occurring in all areas of the country and across socioeconomic strata. Resistant and susceptible lice are indistinguishable to the eye. But even in areas where resistant lice have been found, many experts say that over-the-counter treatments should be checked to see if they contain harmful chemicals. LICENDERS products are effective when used as directed -- including combing out the hair between two applications of the shampoo. Licenders offers a nit-picking service, where someone manually combs out the lice and their eggs, are another alternative that has been growing in popularity. This service can be provided in the convenience of your home or in our salon. It is difficult to say how widespread resistant lice have become, say public-health experts, but reports began appearing in medical journals in the late 1990s. Bugs that are resistant to permethrin and pyrethrins -- the agents in over-the-counter treatments -- have been found in many places, including parts of Florida, Massachusetts, Texas and California, according to John Clark, a professor of environmental toxicology and chemistry at the department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The development isn't surprising, since all insects exposed to pesticides will develop resistance over time. For example, mosquitoes developed a resistance to the pesticide DDT after years of sprayings. Richard Pollack, a research associate at the department of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvard University's School of Public Health, says that some lice have a natural ability to eliminate toxins from their bodies, which they pass on to a new generation. Besides finding success with the LICENDERS all natural shampoo to kill the lice, you can purchase our special lice-and-egg-removal comb and try combing out the pests at home. But experts advise that any combing treatment can entail several hours of daily combing for about two weeks, says Craig Burkhart, a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Toledo's College of Medicine, in Ohio. A physician could also prescribe the insecticide Lindane, though it remains controversial. Lindane shampoo and lotion, distributed by Alliant Pharmaceuticals, isn't available in California and carries a so-called black-box warning on its label regarding possible links to rare seizures and deaths. There are also herbal remedies on the market with ingredients like tea tree oil, rosemary and lavender. But "there's a real absence of data showing that they work," says William Brogdon, a research entomologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And "If they are not effective, you are wasting your money." *LICENDERS, not to be confused with lice enders or lice centers DANGEROUS CHEMICALS AND HEADLICE TREATMENT: When Licenders started providing head lice treatment, we used the lice shampoo products that were available in the regular national chain drug stores. However, we found that those head lice products were not sufficiently getting rid of headlice. After following the directions, we still found live lice in the hair. This led us to research what was going on. Thats when we came across the concept of chemical resistance. But we also became more informed about the chemicals, and how they could affect our clients. We found out some pretty frightening information: Pesticide based lice shampoo contains ingredients which are known or suspected to cause cancer, affect the nervous system, and have other harmful effects. They can trigger asthma or allergic responses. Children, especially children with asthma and allergies, are more vulnerable than adults to these chemicals. Your home is supposed to be a safe place for your children. Home remedies for head lice shouldn't be dangerous. Nix, Elimite, Acticin, and Lyclear are hair lice treatments that contain permethrin. Permethrin is a synthetic version of an extract from the chrysanthemum. Such chemicals are called pyrethroids. Exposure to pyrethroids can cause skin irritation or sneezing, nasal stuffiness, or breathing difficulties. Children with a history of allergies or asthma are particularly sensitive. It may also produce numbing, tingling, and burning sensations. The EPA has permethrin classified as a possible cancer-causing agent. And its being used in order to treat headlice! Rid, Pronto, and R&C, more remedies for head lice, contain pyrethrum and piperony butoxide. Pyrethrum is a natural insecticide made from chrysanthemums. Pyrethrum can trigger allergic responses like skin rashes, hives and asthma. There have been cases where this chemical insecticide caused a human fatal asthma attack. It has been directly linked to neurological problems, causing paralysis and general muscle weakness. To add insult to injury, piperonyl butoxide is a synthetic chemical that increases the potency of pyrethrum. Kids are being exposed to such risks! Why? To get rid of hair lice and nits. Its hard to believe, but its true.