Top 6 Hairstyles to Prevent and Avoid Lice

Families that have been affected by a case of head lice have many concerns – not to be overlooked is the need to ensure steps are taken to prevent future head lice infestations. Since head lice are transmitted by direct head to head contact, there are practical hairstyles to prevent head lice that can be used. When selecting a hairstyle for lice prevention, keep in mind that the best styles are those that keep the hair consolidated and close to the head – minimizing the contact area and the opportunity for a rogue louse from someone else’s head to make it onto your head. Before you get head lice, or if you never want to experience head lice again, review our top six hairstyles that prevent lice.

These styles are not the only styles that help prevent lice; get creative! Remember, the best hairstyle to avoid lice is any that keeps the hair from brushing up against other people.

Does Wearing Your Hair Up Prevent Lice?

Lice tend to affect girls more than boys. Why? After all, any human with head hair is at risk. Very short hairstyles are trendier for boys, and less likely to brush against others while playing.  

But children who love their long hair don’t need to cut it to avoid lice. You just need to understand the best hairstyles to keep head lice away, and infinite variations are within reach.

Here are some basic long hairstyles to prevent head lice. Can lice live in braided hair? Of course. These hairstyles don’t treat a case of lice, but they do reduce the chances of catching lice.

Basic Pony Tail

Do ponytails prevent lice? They’re better than loose hair by far! This is the easiest of all hairstyles. Gather all of the hair together on the back or top of the head. To make the ponytail look less sloppy, take the time to smooth out any lumps or bumps with your hairbrush, then secure it with a ponytail holder. To make this one of the best hairstyles for lice prevention, you can braid loose hair. When it comes to the styles that protect from lice ponytail is good, braid is better, but the bun is best.

Basic Bun

Does keeping hair in a bun help prevent lice eggs? A basic bun is the best hairstyle to avoid lice. It is also the easiest for those of us who lack the coordination to create more extravagant hairstyles. Simply secure all of the hair on the top of the head, twist the hair into a “bun” shape, and secure it. This hairstyle keeps all of the hair contained in one area on the head while providing the least amount of contact area head lice need to transport from head to head. This is why it is one of the best hairstyles to prevent lice.

French Braid

Do braids help prevent lice? Another one of the best hairstyles to keep head lice away is a French braid. Many girls like this style as it is simple, but can be dressy as well. To complete this look, take three pieces of hair from the top of the head. With the far-right piece of hair, cross it over the middle section of hair and combine it with the section of hair on the left. Now you have two sections of hair. To the left of the combined section of hair, get another section of hair to make three total sections again. Take that section and combine it with the far right section of hair, then get another section of hair on the right side. Continue this process until you have integrated all of the hair into this braid and have only three sections remaining.

Can head lice live in braided hair? Even with the significantly reduced exposure risk of wearing braids all the time, if the hair does come into contact with another head with lice, it’s still at-risk. The braids only prevent inadvertent contact, they cannot thwart lice once contact occurs. When parents ask us, can you get lice with braids? They are usually thinking that tight, durable braids like cornrows are lice-proof. Unfortunately, we often find head lice in braids of all sorts, and the only way to treat them successfully is to take the braids out.

Pig Tails

Styling your hair in pigtails is another one of the common hairstyles to keep lice away. This is a nice style for those who maybe have shorter hair, younger individuals, or individuals looking for a unique, sassy style. Simply section the hair dividing the hair so as to create two equal sections of hair on either side of the head and secure them with a ponytail holder. For a more stylish look, you can braid the pigtails.

French Braided Pig Tails

Combining the French braid and the pigtails will provide another one of the most effective hairstyles to avoid lice. Start by sectioning the hair on either side of the head as you did with the pigtails. Instead of securing the hair as you did with a ponytail fashion, create two smaller French braids out of each of the sections on either side of the head.

Plait Tails

A plait tail is a french braid that begins at the base of the head. Individual sections are thinner and wrap around the bulk of the hair all the way down. Also called a fishtail braid or fishtail plait, this is an advanced look your teenage daughter can wear when she starts feeling too mature for standard braids. Again, these may help to prevent lice but only if the hair is pulled up or back.

Tips for Making Styles Last in Summer Heat

Summer heat, humidity, and outdoor activities can quickly undo even the neatest braids or buns. Sweat, swimming, and constant movement mean styles that look perfect in the morning may not hold up through a full day of camp, sports, or travel. The good news? With a few smart tricks, you can keep your child’s hair looking tidy, secure, and protected against lice all day long.

1. Use Soft, Snag-Free Elastics or Scrunchies

Not all hair ties are created equal. Thin rubber bands may grip tightly, but they can also break hair and lose elasticity in humid conditions. Instead:

• Choose fabric-covered elastics or spiral ties that are gentle on strands but still provide a strong hold.
• For buns, consider scrunchies that add extra grip and volume.
• Avoid reusing stretched-out elastics—they won’t hold up through swimming or sports.

2. Add a Touch of Leave-In Conditioner or Lice-Repellent Spray Before Styling

Prepping hair before styling can make a big difference in both manageability and protection.

• A light layer of leave-in conditioner helps reduce frizz and tangles, keeping braids sleek and easier to maintain.
• Lice-repellent sprays made with natural oils like tea tree, peppermint, or rosemary not only condition the hair but also add a protective barrier against lice during high-risk activities like camp or sleepovers.
• Spray especially around the hairline, behind the ears, and at the nape of the neck, since these are lice’s favorite spots.

3. Secure with Lightweight Hairspray or a Dab of Styling Gel

Summer play is active—running, swimming, climbing, and sweating all put stress on hairstyles. A little extra reinforcement helps styles last longer.

• Use a lightweight hairspray to keep flyaways down without leaving hair stiff or sticky.
• For braids and buns, apply a small amount of styling gel or mousse to the roots before braiding. This keeps hair smooth and prevents strands from slipping out.
• Choose kid-friendly, alcohol-free products to avoid scalp irritation.

4. Refresh Styles Daily

Even with the best prep, summer activities take their toll. Refreshing styles daily helps maintain both neatness and scalp health.

• Take out braids and buns at night to let hair and scalp rest. Sleeping in the same style every night can cause tension and breakage.
• Wash or disinfect hair ties, scrunchies, and combs regularly to prevent product buildup and reduce lice risk. A quick soak in hot, soapy water is often enough.
• In the morning, re-style with fresh elastics or scrunchies. This small step keeps hair healthier and ensures a tighter, cleaner look.

Parent Tip: Combine these styling tricks with weekly head checks during summer months. Protective styles like braids and buns reduce lice risk, but regular inspections are the best way to catch any problems early.

Extra Prevention Steps to Pair with Hairstyles

While braids and buns are excellent tools for keeping hair neat and reducing lice risk, they work best when paired with a few additional prevention habits. By combining protective hairstyles with these simple steps, parents can build a stronger defense against lice during the busy summer season.

1. Pair Styles with Daily Lice-Repellent Spray

Protective hairstyles reduce contact, but lice can still attempt to crawl onto hair during close play. Adding a lice-repellent spray gives an extra layer of security.

• Look for sprays made with natural essential oils like tea tree, peppermint, rosemary, citronella, or lavender—all scents that lice dislike.
• Apply before high-risk activities such as summer camp, pool parties, sports, or sleepovers.
• Focus on the hairline, behind the ears, and the nape of the neck, since these are common lice “entry points.”
• Bonus: Many sprays double as a light conditioner, keeping hair smoother for easier braiding.

2. Teach Kids Not to Share Hair Accessories, Hats, or Brushes

Even the neatest hairstyle won’t protect against lice if kids swap accessories. Sharing is second nature to children, so this step often requires gentle reminders.

• Explain in simple terms: “Lice can crawl from one head to another if we share hats or brushes.”
• Label your child’s hair ties, combs, and hats with their name to make them easily identifiable at camp or parties.
• Encourage kids to keep their own hair supplies in a small bag and avoid mixing them with friends’ items.

3. Rotate Hairstyles to Keep Hair Healthy

Braids and buns are protective, but wearing the same tight style every day can strain the scalp and hair. Healthy hair is easier to manage and less prone to breakage, which makes lice checks simpler.

• Alternate between braids, buns, and ponytails throughout the week.
• Avoid styles that pull too tightly on the same section of hair day after day.
• Let hair down at night to rest before re-styling the next morning.

Rotating hairstyles ensures both scalp comfort and long-term hair health, while still maintaining lice prevention benefits.

4. Do Weekly Head Checks During High-Risk Months

Even with protective hairstyles and preventive sprays, lice can still find a way in—especially during summer, when kids spend more time in close contact at camps, pools, and family gatherings. Regular head checks are your safety net.

• Set aside 10–15 minutes once a week to comb through your child’s hair under bright light.
• Focus on lice “hotspots”: behind the ears, at the nape of the neck, and the crown of the head.
• Use a fine-toothed lice comb and a dab of conditioner to make detection easier.
• Early detection means infestations are smaller and far easier to treat.

Parent Tip: Think of prevention as layering protections. Braids or buns reduce the chance of contact, sprays repel lice, personal item rules prevent sharing, and weekly checks catch anything that slips through. Together, these steps dramatically lower the likelihood of a full infestation.

Conclusion

No matter what hairstyle you choose, be sure to add something to keep the hair artificially dirty, like our mint lice repellent spray for an added layer of protection. If your efforts fail, call LiceDoctors at 800-224-2537 or book an appointment online for in-home head lice treatment that works for your entire family!