NYDA® express is a scientifically proven lice treatment that
does not contain any neurotoxic pesticides.
NYDA® express is designed to kill head lice and their eggs using a physical mode of action rather than chemical insecticide (knock down). NYDA® express contains two dimethicones (silicone oils), which seep into the breathing holes of lice and eggs, blocks their oxygen supply which rapidly suffocates and kills them. This physical mode of action means that even head lice and eggs which have built up a resistance to chemical treatments (knockdown resistance) are still eliminated.
Using silicone oils means NYDA® express does not have the harsh, unpleasant chemical odours of some insecticide-based head lice treatments. NYDA® express has been shown to be well tolerated by all ages including pregnant women and infants.
How does NYDA® express work?
Dual action oil
NYDA® express uses a combination of two specifically developed dimethicones - silicon oils. Dimethicones are commonly found in many cosmetic products and they can be volatile (rapidly vapourise) or viscous (thick in consistency). When these two dimethicones are combined in NYDA® express they create a liquid with low surface tension that spreads easily over the hair and scalp. It works to penetrate the breathing holes of head lice and eggs, rapidly replacing the air in their respiratory tracts. The volatile dimethicone evaporates and the remaining viscous oil thickens and effectively closes the airways of the parasites. Without air (oxygen) lice, their larvae and eggs will die. They can then be combed out of the hair. The remaining dimethicone may then be simply washed out of the hair with shampoo, no burning, no stinging, no fuss.
Watch the short video below of NYDA® express in action.
Laboratory experiment of the parasitological research group, Zoological Institute of Kiel University, 24118 Kiel, Germany, A/Prof. Wolfgang Böckeler, PhD, Ira Richling, PhD
How to apply NYDA® express – 4 easy steps
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Apply to dry hair. Spray thoroughly over all of the hair and scalp beginning at the roots.
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Massage in well until the hair is completely saturated with the solution and allow it to sit in the hair and work for 10 minutes
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Comb hair carefully afterwards using the comb provided to remove the suffocated lice and eggs
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Wash out with your normal shampoo
Consumer Information Pamphlet
Click the link to download the NYDA® express pamphlet including helpful hints on avoiding those nasty nits!
FAQs / Frequently Asked Questions
NYDA® is free of neurotoxic insecticides, i.e., it does not contain any neurotoxins. The 2-step NYDA® dimethicone penetrates deep into the respiratory openings and suffocates lice, larvae and nits. This way, the process of diffusion of the parasites is effectively interrupted.
NYDA® combats head lice by penetrating into and occluding their respiratory openings. The head lice ultimately suffocate. Since water has a higher surface tension than NYDA®, it is not able to penetrate the respiratory system of the head lice. If NYDA® is applied to wet hair, the product dilutes and its effect can no longer unfold. This prevents successful treatment.
NYDA® is suitable for all ages including infants.
There is a possibility that the colour of coloured hair may change or that the durability of the colour may be shortened. However, since the introduction of the product in 2006, no problems have been reported in connection with coloured hair. To be safe, you should wait up to 2 days after treatment if you want to colour your hair again. The main components NYDA® should be washed out by then.
The dimethicone contained in NYDA® with low viscosity is
potentially flammable, similar to hairspray or perfume. However, dimethicones only ignite when
they come into contact with an external ignition source (e.g., open flame). The flammability of
different dimethicones varies.
To prevent possible accidents, the flammability of NYDA® as
well as the correct handling of the product on the package and in the instructions for use are
described as follows: "Because some ingredients are flammable, NYDA®
may not be used in the presence of an open flame or incandescent objects! Keep NYDA®
away from heat and ignition sources and do not smoke during treatment."
Dimethicone are a group of linear polydimethylsiloxanes, which are normally colourless, odourless and water repellent liquids. Polydimethylsiloxanes have a low surface tension and are therefore
capable of wetting most surfaces. This is crucial for the physical action against head lice.
Dimethicones are neither absorbed by the skin, nor by the mucous membrane. In medicines and cosmetics, they are used as ingredients for skin protection ointments, hair styling products, perfume and toothpaste.
Traditional insecticides contain substances with a neurotoxic active principle, i.e., they damage
the nervous system of head lice. NYDA® has a physical mode
of action and, unlike other pediculicide, contains no toxins.
A major weakness of neurotoxic preparations is their mode of action. The nervous system of
unhatched head lice is developed after only 4 days. This means that neurotoxic products in most
cases have almost no effect on eggs at this stage. Resistance to neurotoxic drugs has also been
demonstrated in several countries.
In contrast to NYDA®, neurotoxic preparations are often not
well tolerated. An improper application with regard to the dosage and the application time can
produce side effects. Children are particularly sensitive to these effects because their immune
system as well as their metabolism and the skin's protective layer are not yet fully
developed.
It is a common misconception that head lice infestations occur in dirty hair, head lice have no preferences for clean or dirty hair.
No, many people do not develop an itchy head with head lice, therefore the best way to monitor your child is regular hair checks for the presence of lice particularly when you are aware that head lice may be present at their school.
There are some easy ways to help to reduce your families risk of getting head lice.
- Tie back or plait long hair especially for school. Head lice cannot fly or jump and are transferred by swinging from loose hair strands and crawling onto to the heads of others.
- Do not share brushes, combs, hair accessories, hats or pillows with others. Although spreading head lice via these items is uncommon, it is possible.
- Keep hair short if possible during outbreaks as this will make detection and treatment easier.
- Keep your child at home if you discover they have head lice until they have been treated and notify the school. This limits the potential for further spreading and will alert other families to check their children.
We recommend checking hair again 8-10 days after treatment. If the treatment solution does not completely cover all hair, some eggs may not be killed and may hatch up to 7-8 days later. If any live head lice are detected, repeat treatment and check hair again in a further 8-10 days.
No, head lice attach their eggs to the base of the hair follicle with a particularly powerful “glue” which does not dissolve with head lice treatments even though the embryo inside is dead. Combing the hair thoroughly with the NYDA lice comb provided according to the instructions will help remove the dead eggs from the hair.