Hedrin Once Spray Gel - feedback thread NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the MNers who have recently experienced head lice in the family and have tried Hedrin Once Spray Gel to blast those little critters!

Here's what Hedrin have to say about their product, "head lice remedies have traditionally required a second application to kill lice that have hatched since the original treatment - where they were protected in the egg. Hedrin Once Spray Gel has been shown, in a clinical trial, to eradicate the infestation of live lice and the un-hatched eggs with a single application. This removes the need for repeat treatments and laborious combing, making the process of managing head lice easier than ever before.

"Hedrin Once Spray Gel is a silicone-based, skin-friendly non-pesticide formula that is pleasant for children and easy for parents to use. The active ingredient, dimeticone, kills lice by blocking the opening to their air tubes and disrupting their ability to manage water. Its physical method of killing head lice prevents them developing a resistance – a common problem with traditional pesticide treatments. Available in Boots and pharmacies nationwide, Hedrin Once is available in a liquid or spray gel format priced from £7.14 for 60ml".

So if you're a tester we'd like you to add feedback to this thread and complete the survey which we emailed to you.

Please note your comments may be used by Hedrin in marketing material, on their website and possibly elsewhere.

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age
2. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?
3. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?
4. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?
5. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought
6. How effective has this product been?
7. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

All selected testers who add their feedback on this thread and complete the survey form will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck (with everything )

MNHQ

Mnhq - I've checked through my emails and have not received a survey from you, just two emails confirming that the Hedrin was being sent to me.

I'm sure it has been said before but the only thing I wanted to say was it was so damn difficult to wash out, I used a full bottle of shampoo and it still left mine and me kids hair looking like an oil slick the next day for work/school. Took about three days of washing several times a day before it got better.
Also needed two bottles for my thick long hair and two for my daughter (same type of hair), which got expensive.

I didn't put it in my first post but yes, it's a pain to wash out. Hopefully this is a small price to pay for effectiveness though.

Its the Dimiticone which is a silicone which won't wash out. Google removing Dimiticone and you will find some tips about removing it.

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

Girl aged 8, me aged

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

Nope - she's had it on and off for about 4 months

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

Very easy and straightforward, we left it in overnight. Took about 10 mins max.

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

So far so brilliant, the nits seem to have been eradicated :)

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

She didn't mind it at all, no problems, easy to comb in and washed outthe next morning.

1. How effective has this product been?

One week later - 100% effective. Thrilled!

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

Absolutely. Thanks!

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

Girl age 9 Boy age 6 Girl age 4 Girl age 3

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

No have all had it twice before

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

Was an easy process applying the spray didn't take long, a few minutes per child.

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

Hedrin was much better than the full marks treatment we had used before, the kids hated that one the gel was thicker so it didn't run as much down their shoulders and face.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

My eldest has requested that this is what we buy next time should need arise. Her words were that's much better it didn't take you ages to put on me and cover all my hair and its not going into my eyes.

1. How effective has this product been?

They seem nit free so has been successful. Didn't have a problem washing out hair looked nice and shiny as normal.

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

Definitely.

Thanks for the opportunity to be a product tester again!

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

My daughter age 9! Gorgeous long thick hair and despite always putting it in a pony tail the nits situation is a regular thing.

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

No, I comb through her hair 3 times a week with a nitty gritty comb. Sometimes we can go for months with nothing and then others it appears she constantly has big nits regardless of treatment or not!

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

Preferred this product. Have used a foam before which was hard to get on scalp through thick hair but the hedrin was easy, not messy, no eye watering smell and appeared to be a lot less hassle. I did have to use both bottles to get good coverage but I expected that anyway

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

Used a product called vermousse which was horrid and also lyclear which was too chemically for me.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

She actually asked if I was sure I'd got all her head as it hadn't taken very long and she couldn't smell anything!

1. How effective has this product been?

We are now day 4 after using the product and I'm still combing daily but we have had no nits or eggs for past 2 days so hoping she is clear (just in time to go back to school on Monday )

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice? Definitely although the amount I need I may use it if I can't keep on top of them with wet combing.

This arrived so quickly, I was really impressed. Dd aged 8 was the tester, she has shoulder length thick curly hair.

1. Makes combing a nightmare

normally but we do so weekly. She had a huge infestation this time.

1. Thought was brilliant, saturated the hair eAsily, combed through after the 15 mins application time, just to make sure! Comb went through no problem.
2. We've used shampoos etc that need to stay on overnight or 2 applications . Thought this was fantastic, quick, effective and really only needed doing the once!!
3. Dd said the gel was ok, didn't smell too bad.
4. We are nit free, would definitely recommend it and have done so!!
5. Yes, will use again!!

6.

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age,

Autistic DGD, aged 12, (I know, but her choice of friends leave something to be desired!)

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

No, she had caught them occasionally in primary school.

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

I found it really easy to apply, it took about 10 minutes to spray and ensure all her very long hair was covered, I used 1.5 bottles to fully coat her hair.

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

It was very easy and didn't smell horrible like the old ones used to. The one negative was that her hair dripped and the bathroom floor became like an ice rink.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

She commented on it not smelling horrible, she didn't like how greasy it felt when being applied

1. How effective has this product been?

After shampooing twice I made her get in the shower to ensure all the grease was out of her hair. I nit combed her immediately after this and managed to get 2 out but they were very dead, there were quite a few dead came out in the water. I continued to comb her every day and so far have found nothing. I think it can be classed as being very effective as it certainly seems to have killed both the lice and the eggs.

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

Yes definitely, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. I like that you don't have to repeat the treatment as you do with some of the others.

Thank you for letting me test it.

. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

Male aged 8 and male aged 4. I checked DD aged 2 but she didn't need it.

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

No, DS1 has had them lots of times and DS2 has had them a couple of times.

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

Very easy, quicker to apply than to wet comb them so they preferred that. It took a couple of minutes to apply to each child.

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

We usually use the nitty gritty comb and conditioner but they don't enjoy it and there was less whinging with hedrin. I did subject them to the comb a few days later though to check effectiveness.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

See question 4.

1. How effective has this product been?

No headlice found when they were combed with the nitty gritty comb a few days after treatment. I will check them again a week later.

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had Headlice? Yes, for a persistent or bad infestation.

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

Me-Female-34 DS2 - male - 4

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

No, we have a reoccurring problem with lice from school.

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

The spray was very easy to apply... It took just a couple of minutes to apply to DS, but 3-4 to apply to my longer hair.

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

Much easier to use!

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

DS2 was ambivalent, he liked that it didn't need to be left in overnight.

1. How effective has this product been?

so far so good!

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

Yes, definitely.

In fact, I wish everyone else at school would use it too!

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

Myself (36) and ds (9)

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

This is the second time since September.

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

It's easy enough to apply, but I would recommend standing on a large towel to do it, as the floor was like an ice rink and we were sliding everywhere! Took about 5 minutes to apply to ds and 10-15 minutes on me, as I have long thick hair.

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

Really easy to use and doesn't smell awful like a lot do. Nice and quick treatment time too, which is a bonus.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

Ds liked that he didn't have to leave it on for too long, but complained about how long it took to rinse out, as he hates the shower.

1. How effective has this product been?

Very, as far as I can see. Not found any signs of lice since treating.

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

Yes definitely.

1. daughter aged 2. Me (aged 37)
2. second time she's had headlice.
3. application was really easy compared to my usual conditioner and comb out method (which takes ages and is really uncomfortable). It took about 10 mins to apply and rub in.
4. I have only used regular conditioner before so this is the first time of using a dedicated product. I found it really effective and easy to use.
5. my daughter didn't enjoy the process at all (but she doesn't like having her hair washed).
6. the product was very effective. The lice seem to have all gone (I have given several combs since)
7. I would use the product again as it was much quicker than conditioner.

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

Me - 50 Dad - 57 Daughter: 10 Son: 7

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

This is the 4th time we have had headlice - though one infestation might have been a continuation of one that was not eliminated.

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

It was easy to apply the gel. I used a comb - a fine toothed one first to smooth out the hair and to pull out any lice that I could nab., The gel went on my thick hair within 7-8 minutes. My Dh and DCs have much finer hair and it only took 4 or 5 minutes for each.

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

It was effective. It worked quickly without much fuss. Still use the comb to be double sure and to get out debris - but I was confident the lice were dead. It was greasy and it did take a while to wash it out again. The hair felt somewhat lank until the next wash 2 days later. But that is a small price to pay to get rid of the critters. Other products have never really got all the eggs and I used one once which I really could not wash out for days. I have used lice-averse shampoo, but have never been sure if that has any affect at all.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

Child thought it was fine - not smelly, not stingy, just OK. Toook longer to wash out and they found it funny to put shampoo straght onto the hair before water - but got into it ok. I did not want them to be in bathwater when washing it out - is that too cautious - so it was a bit uncountable leaning over the bath edge. They moaned about that a little.

1. How effective has this product been?

It has been a week now and all seems to be quiet on the hair front. Will check again in a few days.

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

I would definitely use t again.

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

My son who is three years old.

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

First time.

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

The application was very easy compared to other treatments I've used on my other children. Initially it took him a while to sit there whilst I applied but he was soon used to it. Around 15 mins.

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

Ease of use was brilliant. I usually use an overnight treatment which the children always hated.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

He was apprehensive to begin with but relented and he was ok with it after a while

1. How effective has this product been?

Incredibly effective which surprised me. I usually prefer an overnight method to completely destroy the critters. But this was very satisfactory

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

Absolutely. Very impressed.

Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age
Ds1 6
Ds2 2

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

Yes. Ds2 has long hair so I think he must have picked it up from nursery. Ds1 has been in school for 3 years and never had a problem.

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

The process was very easy and spread thoroughly. I think it took less than 10 mins

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

it was very easy to spray and I really liked the texture - it wasnt rough on the hair. Easily coated the hair and scalp.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought.

they didn't notice anything different to regular shampooing

1. How effective has this product been?

No scratching since the application.

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

It's the best product I've used to treat headlice so far. It is expensive but I would use it alternatively with wet combing.

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

Boy of 6, girl of 4

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

First time for both

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

Both kids have short hair and are used to being combed so there were no problems at all. Took ten minutes

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

Never used another treatment

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

They were both indifferent which is a great thing. There was no smell and really easy to get to the scalp. It came off easily as well. Hair looked a tiny bit lank the next day but absolutely fine after the next wash

1. How effective has this product been?

I applied it a week ago and there has been no return

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

Absolutely. It was nothing like I remember nit treatments being!

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

DD aged 6 and DS 4,

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

No had it twice before since September,

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel?

For DS it was fairly simple, but for DD it took forever, she has really long and curly hair so it took time to make sure it was applied correctly.

How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel? About 10 minutes, but the spray gel was much easier to apply,

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past? It seemed fairly simple to use, not completely effective as the others, needed a few applications though for my DD, maybe it's just that she has long hair. For my DS it was fine, after 2 washes he was clear.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

They were fine, it didn't irritate them as much as others we have tried. For 15 minutes was easy to keep them occupied.

1. How effective has this product been? I did need a few treatments but it was effective after 3 attempts. But not convinced the eggs have all gone.

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice? Yes definitely, so much easier to use

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

DD age 5

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

First time.

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

Much quicker and easier than I imagined it would be. A far pleasanter experience than treatments I remember from when I was little!!

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

No smell, easy to use.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

She proudly told her class all about it... Her teacher thought it was really funny!

1. How effective has this product been?

It seems to have worked well.

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

Definitely

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

dc1 male age 7 dc2 male 6 dc3 female age 4

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

Too many times to count unfortunately!

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

It was fairly easy, took a while to apply!

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

No smell which was great and easy to apply.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

They didn't like the gel but were glad it got rid of the headlice

1. How effective has this product been?

Very effective, the lice have gone.

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice?

Definitely! Will keep a bottle in the cupboard just in case ??

1. I treated my son (aged 2) and myself (aged 29) with the Hedrin Once Gel.
2. My son has had headlice once before (the joys of nursery!), and I get it now and again because I am an Early Years teacher.
3. The spray gel was easy enough to apply, took less than five minutes for my son and a little longer for me.
4. It was very easy to apply and rub in, but more difficult than other products I have used to get out afterwards.
5. My son didn't enjoy the experience - he tolerated the rubbing in but did not enjoy removing it, he screamed and cried pretty much the whole time. He has sensitive skin and his scalp became slightly reddened after using the product.
6. Very effective - no itching, no lice!
7. I would definitely use it on myself and perhaps my DS when he is old enough to understand what it is we are doing.

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

Myself (32) and 3 DD's aged 6, 4 and 2.

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

On going problem since September

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

Very quick and easy and the 2 bottles did all 4 of us.

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

Much quicker and easier then nit combing, and more effective then other treatments. Difficult to wash out, but no worse then any other treatments of this sort.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

They didn't mind it, they prefered it to others and said it didn't smell as bad

1. How effective has this product been?

Very effective, 2 yr old still has some eggs in her hair (very difficult to comb her hair) however I did the treatment at the beginning of the easter holidays and we're still nit free so they obviously haven't hatched out.

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had head lice?

Yes definately because it is so easy and effective, however it is expensive so I will try to keep on top of it with the nit combing before resorting to this, but if I needed to use a treatment, I would probably go for this one as although its not cheap it definately works and I think it is actually slightly cheaper then comparable products and only slightly more expensive then others that aren't as effective and require a second application, so work out more expensive in the end!

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age

Myself (42, female), DS1 (9) and DS2 (7).

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice?

Third time for me, second time for DS1 and lost count of how many times DS2 has had them.

1. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel?

A little awkward on myself but very easy to apply to the boys. Didn't take long at all.

1. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past?

Quicker than combing and other methods I've tried.

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought

They weren't bothered by it at all, far less hassle than getting them to sit still for combing and far fewer complaints.

1. How effective has this product been?

Seems to have been very effective. Did a comb through with conditioner four days after the treatment and didn't find anything.

1. Would you use this product again if you or your child had head lice?

Definitely, very easy and no complaints from the boys!

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age: DD1, 10 years old and a girl
2. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice? Too many times to count!
3. How did you find the application process for the Hedrin Once Spray Gel? How long did it take to apply and use the spray gel? It was reasonably quick however dd1 has very long hair and it was a bit tiring after a while to keep pumping the spray bottle. It took roughly 15 minutes all in all.
4. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past? It was good to apply to dry hair rather than wet
5. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought. She thought it was ok but didn't like having the shampoo applied on the dry hair.
6. How effective has this product been? No sign of headlice but her hair is very greasy looking.
7. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice? Maybe