A walkthrough of a typical visit, from arrival to leaving the chair
Families calling Lice Charmers Lice Clinic for the first time often ask what an actual appointment looks like. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of what to expect, whether the visit happens at one of the three clinics or as a mobile in-home appointment.
Each appointment starts with a screening to confirm an active infestation and to assess how widespread it is. The technician examines the scalp under a bright light, looking for live lice as well as nits attached to the hair shaft. This step also gives the family a chance to ask the questions that drugstore packaging never answers — how the lice were probably picked up, whether the rest of the household needs to be checked, and what (if anything) really needs to be cleaned at home.
Once an infestation is confirmed, the technician begins the AirAllé treatment. The AirAllé is an FDA-cleared medical device that applies precisely controlled heated air to the scalp. Over roughly 30 minutes of focused work, the heat dehydrates both the adult lice and their eggs. No pesticides, no shampoos, and no chemicals are involved at any point. Most children find the experience comfortable enough to read a book, watch a show on a phone, or chat with the technician throughout.
After the heated-air phase, the technician carefully combs through the hair to remove dead lice and any remaining nit casings. This is where the bulk of the remaining appointment time is spent. The total visit usually runs about 90 minutes per person from arrival to departure, though longer or thicker hair can extend that somewhat.
Before the family leaves, the technician walks through what to monitor for in the following days and answers any remaining questions. Lice Charmers technicians make a point of explaining that most aggressive household cleaning routines — bagging stuffed animals for weeks, washing every fabric in the house at high temperatures — are not actually necessary. A practical, evidence-based explanation of what does and does not transmit lice replaces the panic-driven advice many parents have already been given by well-meaning relatives or internet forums.
The Lice Charmers clinics in Portland (SE Gladstone), Beaverton, and Renton all keep the same hours — 7am to 8pm, every day of the year. Mobile in-home appointments are available across the Portland and Seattle metro areas, with the same single-visit treatment delivered in the family's own home.
Treatment pricing ranges from roughly $189 to $260 per person depending on hair length. Itemized receipts are provided for FSA, HSA, and most health insurance reimbursement claims. Lice Charmers was founded in June 2017 by Alexis Charriere and Conor Duggan and has earned more than 367 five-star reviews across the Portland and Seattle regions.