Study of tocopheryl acetate for lice elimination

A derivative of vitamin E has been investigated for anti-lice properties.

The study, by Burgess et al., published in BMC Pharmacology & Toxicology in September 2013, investigated the efficacy of a 20% solution of tocopheryl acetate via a randomised controlled trial.

The study comprised 45 participants, who underwent two treatments with either tocopheryl acetate spray or permethrin creme. Analysis showed that the tocopheryl acetate was more effective than permethrin at eliminating lice (74% vs 23%).

The product was also found to be well tolerated and more cosmetically acceptable than the creme rinse.