AirAllé® FAQ
How does it work?
Head lice and lice eggs have high water content and they are accustomed to living in a protected and humid environment. Rapid exposure to large amounts of dry, heated air causes them to dry out and die. The AirAllé® device delivers the right amount of heated air that does just that.
Does it really work?
Yes! Because it is an FDA-cleared device, we can’t make up efficacy claims that aren’t backed up by clinical data.
Why is an AirAllé treatment only about an hour when other lice treatments can take so long?
It only takes 30 seconds of exposure from the AirAllé device to kill lice and eggs in a given area. By following a set pattern on the head, it takes trained operators approximately 30 minutes to expose all areas of a typical head with the AirAllé device. The treatment then includes a comb-out to remove dead lice and eggs. These post-device comb-outs usually take half an hour.
Why is a 99.2-percent kill rate of lice eggs so important?
Lice eggs are harder to kill than the adult lice or nymphs using pesticides, herbal remedies, or suffocation products. If you don’t kill or remove all the lice eggs, you will continue to have an infestation when they hatch. This is why most lice-treatment options require additional applications a week or more after the initial treatment.
Can I buy a device?
No, but you can get treated at one of the professional lice-treatment businesses in our network.
Can I open a business using the AirAllé device?
Absolutely! Check out our Licensing page.
Is an AirAllé treatment the best way to kill lice and eggs?
That depends on your definition of which lice treatment is best for you. The AirAllé certainly delivers a fast, safe, highly effective way to kill head lice and eggs.
Where can I find a treatment location?
Check out our map of AirAllé service providers.
Are there any risks with an AirAllé treatment?
To date, no adverse effects have been reported; no one has been hurt by this treatment. However, as is the case with all medical devices, there are some risks which, although they have been reduced to levels that are as low as reasonably practicable, are still possible when the AirAllé device is used.
Who should get an AirAllé treatment?
The AirAllé device is intended to kill or remove head lice and their eggs in the hair of adults and children 4 years of age and older. To avoid using chemicals on children under 4, we recommend you do a traditional comb-out.
Is AirAllé a non-toxic lice treatment?
Absolutely. It uses just heated air to kill the head lice and eggs. It is a clean, dry treatment that uses no chemicals, essential oils, conditioners, etc.
Is the AirAllé treatment susceptible to lice resistance?
Although there is much documentation showing head lice are rapidly evolving resistance to many traditional pesticide-based products, it is highly unlikely they would be able to evolve a resistance to getting dried out from heat and air.
Does the length of hair impact the effectiveness of an AirAllé treatment?
No. As long as the hair can be combed or picked through with a standard comb, the type or length of hair does not impact the device’s effectiveness.
Does the AirAllé device have to be used in conjunction with another lice product?
Yes. An AirAllé treatment consists of using both the device as well as a quick comb-out with a louse comb. Most technicians also apply a final rinse of dimethicone oil at the end of the treatment to kill any remaining hatched lice that may have survived the treatment.
What does the AirAllé device look like?
It kind of looks like a vacuum cleaner with a long hose and an applicator tip at the end. But instead of sucking air, it blows heated air at a controlled flow rate and temperature.
What is the product description of the device?
The AirAllé device is a durable, portable medical device. It measures about 14 in wide x 19 in long x 12 in tall (35 cm x 48 cm x 30cm) and weighs less than 17 pounds (7.7 kg). It has wheels for good maneuverability and is designed to rest on the floor during use. A 6-1/2 ft (2m) removable hose delivers heated air from the AirAllé device to a single-use, disposable applicator tip. The device runs on electricity from any standard power outlet (120V/15A;240V/10A). A precise temperature controller and dual sensors ensure that the temperature and flow rate of air delivered by the AirAllé device are monitored and precisely controlled.
Can anyone operate it?
The AirAllé device is relatively easy to use, but there is some learned technique involved to ensure that the treatment is delivered as safely and as effectively as possible. This is why Lice Clinics of America requires that every operator of the AirAllé device receives specialized training and passes a competency exam before they can be certified to deliver AirAllé treatments.
“The AirAllé treatment was well worth the money. It saved me from weeks of worry and messy self-treatments.”– Tracy, CA