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

1. who used the product ? Myself female aged 35 and son 8
2. we have both had headline twice before 3)easy to apply , took 10 mins for son and 15 for me, all straightforward instructions and easy to use
3. compares as good as cheaper alternatives , it worked
4. son doesn't like hair being touched or messed with so wasn't keen but this is down to my son and not the product. 6)yes it worked
5. would use again but the price is so expensive.

Used on DD (4) it was her 3/4 th time of head lice (grrrrr)
Application took about 10 minutes as she has long hair. Very easy to apply.
Compared well with other products- I really like the spray as it made application much easy to evenly across the hair.
She wasn't fussed,but commented that she didn't like the smell. She also didn't like the 4 shampoos that I had to do to get it out, but that's partly due to her disliking hair washing at all.
It was very effective- I could see the little buggers being washed out of her hair very easily, and there have been no more since.
I would definitely use it again, and recommended it to a friend this morning as her DD has lice.

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

4 daughters aged 16,14,10 and 7 and myself

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

We have all had head lice occasionally since they started 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?

Took about 15 minutes each and was easy to use. Only did the 2 youngest as there wasn't enough for everyone

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

Was easier than wet combing and didn't smell as bad as something we used before but I cannot remember the name. It took a couple of washes to get out though.

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

My children quite liked the gel and we're happy it didn't have to stay on too long.

1. How effective has this product been?

It appears to have done the job

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

I would if I could afford it or get it on prescription

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

Ds 8 dd 6

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

Dd 2nd time, ds has had them several 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 straightforward. Took about 5mins for ds (short cropped hair) and 15 for dd.

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

Only ever wet combed previously. This was easier initially but a pain to get it all washed out after.

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

Both had no opinion other than being inconvenienced by it all!

1. How effective has this product been?

Appears to have worked.

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

Yes I have enough left to use again and would do so.

Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age. Daughter, 3

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice? About 5 times
2. 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? Seemed pretty quick and easy. Actually left my daughter to do it.
3. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past? Seemed more effective, as long as they dont come back - still to be checked but so far so good.
4. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought. They found it easy to use, no problems.
5. How effective has this product been? So far it has been, but it's not a week yet so we will see, but does seem more effective than other treatments of at.
6. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice? Yes

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

Female adult

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

Yes

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?

Easy. About 10 minutes

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

Much easier!

1. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought
2. How effective has this product been?

As far as I can tell fairly effective

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

Yes

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

Daughter, 5

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

No, sadly not. Either lots, or we never got on top of it last year

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?

Good - it's a bit of a hassle, but compared to the other options it's not bad. Apply and use - well, application didn't take too long, but getting it out took ages

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

comparisons: Nitty gritty: don't really rate this. Only the grandpas come out Bug buster kit: for my money way better than nitty gritty, but oh it's SOOO time consuming Hedrin liquid: easy to use, but didn't work...

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

DD likes being fussed over, so happy with it

1. How effective has this product been?

Seems to have worked!

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

Possibly. Cost is the biggest issue - we get cheaper headlice products free from the pharmacy under a minor ailments scheme, and I'd have to feel desperate/really pushed for time to go for this.

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

Daughter - 6

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

no, several 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?

Application was ok, took a while (sorry - forgot to time it!!)

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

Went on ok, easy to spread through the hair although I was concerned I wouldn't spread it everywhere

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

She quite likes the whole bath and play thing we have with a comb through - but preferred not getting scratched with the comb

1. How effective has this product been?

I seem to have been thorough, it has been the holidays and scratch free....she may have been re-infected today!

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

Yes - but I'm not sure I'd use it over the leave in overnight

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

8 year old daughter

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

Second 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?

It was very easy to use. I took about 20 minutes as I wanted to make sure it was applied on all her hair

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

This is quicker than other treatments. I find this one to wash out better than other treatments

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

no complaints

1. How effective has this product been?

Initially it was effective the scratching stopped the next day. However, I have found new eggs so will have to re apply

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

my daughter never had lice until these two episodes and I have found them difficult to get rid of. I even asked the gp for something stronger before using Hedrin but they keep coming back ??

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

Me , DP, DD1 10 and DD2 6

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

DD2 has them most of the 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?

Very easy and quick to apply, 4 heads done very quickly

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

Better!

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

Not as smelly, less drippy and quicker!

1. How effective has this product been?

Great, seems to have got them all!

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

Definitely

1. I Had to treat my eldest boy age 5 and my girly age 3.
2. This is the first time anyone in our house has had head lice.
3. The application process was very simple, my kids have quite thin hair so it did not take too much spraying to get good coverage. The kids did not mind the spraying and as there was no smell there were no complaints.
4. We have not had to use treatments before but i really did not want to have to use a nit comb as my kids hair falls out very easily and my daughter has a painful scalp at the best of times. It was a bit of an effort to get the gel off the hair but this is by far the better option to the comb etc.
5. i cannot say that my kids 'enjoyed' the experience but to them it was just an extended hair wash!
6. The product has been been extremely effective and so far there has been no evidence of a return on either child
7. I would certainly use this product again, who doesn't want a pain free way to remove those pesky little crawlers!

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice?

Daugther 10 years, daugther 3 years and myself

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

My 10yr old has head lice at least once a year. First time for little one.

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 to use. Only took 5 mins to spray and comb though. Washed out easy as well.

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

Loads better, we all have long thick hair, I normally use loads of lotion and takes ages to do. We were all done and wash within 1 hour.

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

My 10 year old is very happy with the gel spray, as normally takes up to an hour with wet comb.

1. How effective has this product been?

I aways checked their hair for 10 days after treatment and not seen anything in the pass 9 days (with only one treatment brilliant)

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

Yes will be using again :)

1 dd and myself
Both had them numerous times since September ( I work in a school, which doesn't help)
Quick & easy, 5/10 minutes each.
Bottles seemed small but a little went a long way. So better value for money.
Gel spray much quicker, my dd really hates this chore!
Applied over a week ago and have wet combed with conditioner since, nit free!
Definitely use again, hopefully later rather than sooner.

1. Who in your family is being treated for head lice? Please include gender and age. Female 9, female 8
2. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice? No - several times
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? Less than 5 minutes to apply. Left it on for approx. 20 mins
4. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past? It worked and did the job which is the main thing. However, I needed to use more or less a full bottle of shampoo to get the stuff out of their hair afterwards. I think this should be reflected in the price.
5. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought. No issues
6. How effective has this product been? Very effective, completely clearing them.
7. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice? Yes

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

DS1 age 15 DS2 age 13 DD2 age 9 DD3 age 7 DD4 age 5

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

Unfortunately I've lost count of how many times they have had nits :-( They are absolutely rife at the kids primary school and since 2012 I have had to do all the children every few weeks because they keep coming home with 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?

I found it very quick and easy, the spray bottle covered the hair well and got the gel in all the right places very efficiently, much better than pouring it on from a bottle like some other treatments.

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

It worked really well. It was very easy to comb through the hair with a nit comb when the gel was on and remove all the eggs and shells and dead lice. In the past we have had to do 2 treatments to complete clear the lice as some eggs we missed hatched, however this time round we didn't have to do a repeat treatment as there wasn't a further outbreak from missed eggs.

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

My kids hate nits and everything to do with them(!) so they weren't too happy to be treated and they really hated the combing through but it doesn't smell funny and it didn't get in their eyes or cause their eyes to sting as some other treatments have done. It was very quick to apply so we kept the fuss to a minimum. They did complain a lot less than they usually do!

1. How effective has this product been?

Very effective, no second treatment needed, no funny smells and it washed out pretty easily. We do 2 shampoos and one conditioner after using and it all came out really well - much better than a lot of other products that we have used where the kids hair was still horribly greasy-looking after washing. I'm very pleased that we seem to be rid of nits for now. I just wish the whole school could have been testing it! I've plaited the girls hair to try to reduce the risk of the kids catching them yet again!

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

Yes I would definitely use the product again as it was very effective and good. I do think it's very slightly on the expensive side though and I would prefer to have a much larger bottle supplied as I have a larger than average sized family (9 children) With many treatments I've used, I've had to buy more than one bottle and it does start to get very expensive. Since 2012 I've spent more than £200 on nit treatments & prevention sprays and unfortunately the kids are still catching them :-( I would like to see a family sized bottle of 6-8 treatments as it doesn't hurt to have some left over for when the children bring them home again!

I also think that it would be nice to come with a good plastic comb to help remove the dead lice, eggs and shells. I do have a good quality metal comb myself due to having to constantly treat the children, but sometimes it gets misplaced and also I find it helpful if there is one supplied especially if I can get my husband or one of the older children to help me as it can take quite some time to get through the girls long hair.
Over all I am very impressed and would definitely use it again.

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

me (23) my son (5)

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

haha no, i've lost count, it was that bad in his last school he had them every week and he was there for a year and a half, been in new school now for 4months and this is the first time here.

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?

for my son it literally took 2 mins, mine however took the best part of half an hour because my hair is so long (it took 3 & 1/2 bottles!)

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

worked really well , but to be fair for me using the gel just takes up way too much time (including washing out, which took two time but did it a third just to make sure)

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

he was fine with it, he knew what it was for and just let me get on with it, washing out was just as easy.

1. How effective has this product been?

very effective - all little biters gone

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

probably not as all together we have 5 kids and if you include having to buy it for me and my partner too if we all got them it would cost a bomb as i've already stated my hair took 3 & 1/2 bolltes and my sons hair about half a bottle, so there's 4 bottles so far (£28.56), and between my partner, twin boys and 2 girls there's another 6 bottles!! (£42.84) (£71.40 in total!!)
sadly I just wouldn't be able to afford to..

I treated dd4 dd3 and myself.

They had both had one round of lice before this one that we found very difficult to get rid of, it took several treatments.

It took about 30 mins to apply to all three of us, very straightforward.

Dd4 didn't mind having the treatment applied, dd3 was more challenging, however she doesn't even like having her hair brushed at the moment.

It had worked! I used it over a week ago and it seems to have got rid completely!

Yes, I would use again and would recommend. It is more expensive than other treatments I have tried but I would pay more for the peace of mind that it will work.

Thanks for sending the Hedrin. We used it about 10 days ago.

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

Just my daughter aged 8

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

She has had headlice a few times over the years, but the most recent infestation has been here for MONTHS. Just cannnot get rid of 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?

Application was fine. Great that it didn't smell. Easy to do and more fun that nit combing. We did it in the bath and my daughter just watched a program on the tablet.

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

We have never used a liquid treatement before - always use Nitty Gritty comb. This was definitely easier than the Nitty Gritty.

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

Yes, she liked it better than not combing. Only problem was that her hair was very oily still the next day even though I thought I had applied tons of shampoo before water. Came out the next day after another wash though.

1. How effective has this product been?

We waited a week and then used the nit comb to check for them. She had loads of tiny things in her hair . They were very small (all exactly the same size) and they didn't seem to have legs - in fact just seemed to have one leg almost like a tail! I think I only saw one that looked like a louse with legs. I really don't know now whether these little things I combed out were very young lice (all the same age, hatched from eggs that Hedrin didn't kill last Saturday), or perhaps they were dead lice? I almost can't bear to nit comb again next week, because I absolutely despair of ever getting rid of them :(

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

LEt's wait and see how things look in a week or so - if she still has lice then def not. If nothing further .... YES!

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

Daughter 6 years old, son 14 years old

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

No, they've had lice more times than I can remember!

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 quick and easy

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

I like the convenience and the fact it worked so well on the first go. I combined the treatment with a nit comb too. I just didn't like the amount of shampoo required to get the grease from their hair. I shampooed before wetting and it still needed lots of shampoo.

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

Both of my children thought it was better smelling than some other nit treatments and they liked the fact that the application time wasn't too long.

1. How effective has this product been?

Very effective, but I used alongside a nit comb.

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

The price is a little off putting. I needed two bottles for my children which would cost around £14.

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

dd 6 DD 3 Me f 35

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

Yes

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 simple dd hates having head touched so relieved that it was a quick process and the reason why wet combing won't work for us

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

Never used any other

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

they complained a bit but can't imaging them being happy about anything hair wash related.

1. How effective has this product been?

very. Nits are gone

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.

My son (5) and daughter (7)

1. Is this the first time they've had head lice? If no, how many times have they had head lice? My son had had lice for the first time earlier in the month; this was my daughter's first time.
2. 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 the nozzle made it easier to apply the product. It took about 10 minutes per child.
3. How did Hedrin Once Spray Gel compare to other treatments you've used in the past? I prefer the nozzle spray of Hedrin which makes it easier to apply.
4. (if you used it on your child) Did your child like the gel? Please say what they thought. They were just happy to be deloused and enjoyed the novewlty of standing in the garden swathed in towels whilst the product was applied. They didn't express any opinion of the product itself.
5. How effective has this product been? It has deloused them both so totally effective.
6. Would you use this product again if you or your child had headlice? Yes, I just hope that I dont have the need to!

I used the Hedrin on my 6 year old daughter who had caught lice for the first time. She has a lot of hair, long and thick, so it did take 3-4 minutes to apply the gel. However the spray function did make it that bit easier and enabled me to get it exactly where I wanted it. My daughter liked the gel as it didn't dribble down her face, which she was worried about and thankfully that didn't happen. Washing out the Hedrin was a bit tricky, and did take a couple of washes at the time. Once her hair was dry it looked limp and a bit greasy, so it required another couple of shampoos. May I suggest maybe enclose a shampoo sachet that washes the residue off? As all this washing is quite time consuming and boring for the child. I must say it did mange to get rid of all the lice and eggs in one application which I am very impressed with. I will use Hedrin again as found the application so easy and its effectiveness excellent.

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

DD1 DD2 Myself

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

DD1 - Quite a few times before and the last one before this was in September. But the strange thing about this outbreak is, I found the lice to be very strong and too hard to get rid of. They were having it since Feb even after another familiar lice product, wet combing etc etc. If I am ignoring the lice for two weeks, It was sure that I was in war a little war again!

DD2 - First time ever ! :(

Myself - I am always the first victim after DD1 gets it!!!!

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?

Quite easy and highly noticeable to see if any areas have been missed because of the Texture of the gel. I wasn't in a hurry to finish the killing task! so was applying the Gel taking my own time but it was not to time consuming.

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

Quite good! Two weeks since I have last seen a Head lice! DD2 seems to have a clean hair but I can spot some dead eggs on DD1. So, might give her another treatment over this weekend. Mine is all clear (Hopefully)!

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

Sorry, They never like any of such products! But I had to do it! The one best thing about Hedrin is the way I applied it to their hair and it is lot more relaxing and easier than combing off the lice quite often.

1. How effective has this product been?

As mentioned, Seems to have worked good for me and DD2. DD1 did have loads unfortunately so she needs another treatment may be!

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

Yes. I hate Head lice and wish they don't get it again though but I understand, it is too hard ! :)

Tested on myself Mum 50
Daughter1 14
Daughter2 14
Easy to use and no smell; worked quickly. Hair was left lank in all 3 of us but no nits!!! Sadly 2 days later they were back so applied again and touchwood no sign of them. Have to say that initially our hair was lank after shampooing with our normal shampoo etc hair actually feels in better condition than prior to treatment so maybe the trick is to do an extra shampoo.

Was completely effective on my family's super curly hair. Delighted and will definitely use again.