Description

In Australia, this blend of our Nerolina and Tea Tree Essential Oils is advertised as “the solution to common children’s hair problems.” These “hair problems” are seemingly more and more common; I know both of my local grandchildren’s schools are infested, and parents end up fighting a near-constant battle with the itchy little demons.

“Nip It” to the rescue! We blogged about this blend several months ago, and several of our local friends tested it out. The response was unanimous—they liked the aroma and it seemed effective in ridding wee scalps of “unwanted hitchhikers!”

We recommended using a 2.5% dilution in shampoo, (2.5 mls blended into 97.5 mls of unscented shampoo, or just under 3 1/3 fl oz of shampoo). We also advised them on creating an after-shampoo spray using a diluent such as alcohol, Polysorbate 20, or Solubol and adding to distilled water. (2.5% percent is the dilution proven effective at killing both the adult “critters” and their immature offspring.)

The mothers who tried this out were delighted. Within a week, two active infestations were gone! My grandchildren have stayed free from “unwanted guests” for the entire school year. There was one major drawback, however…. NO busy mother looked forward to measuring and blending her own products. We were asked if we could supply a ready-to-use product.

The 5 ml bottle of undiluted synergy is enough for 100 mls (a tad less than 3.5 oz) of shampoo and after spray, if you choose to blend your own.

Based on the research cited in the blog article and in our experience, the proportions listed above will over the course of time both evict “unwanted guests” and prevent young ones from hatching and settling in. If you currently have no “unwanted guests” and would prefer to keep the “no vacancy” sign up, then we think a lower dilution would be effective, perhaps 1%. This equals one ml of Nip It synergy to 100 ml (about 3 1/3 fl oz) of rinse or shampoo.

NIpIt! Leave-in Conditioning Spray

SHAKE WELL BEFORE USING. This leave-in conditioner (and detangler) *will* separate upon standing. ALWAYS shake before spraying.

After shampooing, apply our Nip It Leave-In Spray to damp hair. Comb through the hair well, starting at the bottom of tangles and reapplying as necessary. Leave in, and allow to dry.

Directions: Wash hair, towel dry and spray on hair, comb through.

To Detangle: when hair is damp, spray on small sections at a time and let sit for a few seconds. Comb the hair beginning at the lowest point of the tangled area and proceed one section of hair at a time. Reapply as needed. Avoid eye contact.

It is our experience, and that of the families who have tested it for us, that this Detangler Rinse (used following our Nip It Shampoo,) should keep up a “No Vacancy” sign against any “unwanted visitors.”

However, if “invading armies” have already moved in and taken possession, it might be necessary to use a stronger dilution to evict those “unwanted guests.” In this case, we would suggest adding some of our Nip It Synergy to the bottle of Conditioning Spray.

To the full four-ounce bottle of detangler spray, I would add 1 and ¾ mls of the Nip It synergy (approximately 35 drops, but please use a disposable pipette to measure). SHAKE VERY WELL to dissolve the essential oil blend into the rinse. Use as directed, avoiding the eye areas. Repeat daily for up to 7 days as needed.

INGREDIENTS: Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Vitamin E, Sunflower Seed Oil, Organic Neem Seed Oil, Organic Rosemary Leaf Extract, Organic Sunflower Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Provitamin B5, Glycerin, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Organic White Willow Bark Extract, Organic Alcohol, Nerolina Essential Oil, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate.

NipIt! Shampoo

My grandchildrens’ schools seem infested with “common children’s hair problems” and I was bound and determined to protect every hair on their collective heads! Enter “Nip It”, a blend of essential oils proven to not only kill itchy hitchhikers, but over a period of time their immature offspring as well. We tested the blend on our grands and their friends. SUCCESS! (My grands have not had a SINGLE “visitor” this school year! Unheard of in their classrooms.)

Finally, after much searching, we have located a gentle, sulfate free, phthalate-free, paraben-free, even vegan shampoo base and added our blended essential oils.

Usage: To keep the “no vacancy” sign up, wet hair, apply a dime to quarter sized “dab” of shampoo. Work thoroughly through hair, making sure to coat every strand. If possible, I’d leave the shampoo on for five to ten minutes before rinsing, but that may be a challenge with some young’uns. Rinse well. Follow with Nature’s Gift Nip It Leave-In Conditioning Spray.

Please note: Our original formula described in our blog used a 2.5% dilution of the blend, since that is what the research study used and proved effective. However, the manufacturer of our shampoo base recommends no more than a 1% dilution of any essential oils added to their product. Dilemma! What to do? What to do? We have decided, and so far our test children back us up, that the 1% dilution is probably effective if there is no active infestation. If the “unwanted guests” have not moved in, the dilution in this bottle, used with the detangler spray, should keep you “guest free.”

However, if the “common children’s hair problems” have moved in and taken up residence, stronger steps are called for. It’s time to serve an eviction notice!

Under these circumstances, if I were dealing with the presence of “unwanted guests,” I would add some of our Nip It Synergy to the shampoo.

To 30 mls (one fluid ounce, 2 measuring tablespoons full) of shampoo I would add another ½ ml (or 10 drops) of Nip It Synergy and stir very well.

To the full four ounce bottle, I would add 1 and ¾ mls (approximately 35 drops, but please use a disposable pipette to measure.) Stir *very* well to dissolve the essential oil blend into the shampoo.

You will probably find that adding extra essential oils will thin the shampoo; which is why the producer does not want you to use too much essential oil (and they also do not want to upset the balance of preservative which is necessary in every water-based product, including shampoo).

PLEASE do not add more than the stated amounts. More may be better with cake, but it is NOT better with essential oils!

In either case, using the formula described above, try to keep the shampoo out of your child’s eyes. This is not a “no tears” formula, but it is gentle, safe, and effective. After shampooing and rinsing, towel dry briefly and apply Nature’s Gift Nip It Leave-in Conditioning Spray to damp hair.

Ingredients: Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Nerolina Essential Oil, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate.

****Paraben free, Phthalate free, Vegan****

Also available in a 1 oz sampler pack of the shampoo and detangler.