There’s an amazing story about a biologist who created a FDA-approved custom-built heating device to kill lice. According to his company’s regional manager, he spent years in the passionate pursuit of understanding how birds are affected by parasites, such as lice, mites, fleas and/or mosquitoes.

So when his children came down with lice, he drew on what he knew — and created this device. It kills the lice (and the eggs) using heat to dehydrate them.   

That’s it. He’s selling just hot air, really.
My friend and I were exploring the idea of starting a lice treatment clinic using this FDA-approved heating device (with “a 99.2% success rate,” according to the company’s regional manager). Here is what was the smart folks at the American Academy of Pediatrics had to say about this device.

“…the most successful method, which used a custom-built machine called the LouseBuster, resulted in nearly 100% mortality of eggs and 80% mortality of hatched lice. The LouseBuster was effective in killing lice and their eggs when operated at a comfortable temperature, slightly cooler than a standard blow-dryer. Virtually all subjects were cured of head lice when examined 1 week after treatment with the LouseBuster. There were no adverse effects of treatment. Our findings demonstrate that one 30-minute application of hot air has the potential to eradicate head lice infestations. In summary, hot air is an effective, safe treatment and one to which lice are unlikely to evolve resistance.”

Someone else has exclusive rights to lease it in our territory, so we’re out of the game. But here’s the thing: If the device is “slightly cooler than a standard blow dryer,” why not distribute it more widely? Why distribute only through an exclusive rights leasing process?

Make it a lice removal blow dryer. Add a comb. And sell it as a unit through a pharmacy for individuals to use at their own homes. Make it as ubiquitous as the common toaster.