WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — One Uptown entrepreneur wants to make your bugs her business.
Jesenia Dolmus, 28, recently launched It’s Lice Time, a professional lice-removal service that offers in-home screenings and treatments for those with the itchy infestation.
Dolmus said that growing up in Washington Heights gave her a high tolerance for a business some might find icky.
“I’m not scared of bugs or roaches,” she said. “I’m from New York… so I’m just used to it really.”
Dolmus, who has previously worked as a translator and a dance teacher, had always been interested in starting her own company. The plan finally took hold for her once she learned about professional lice-removal services.
“I always wanted to own my own business,” she said. “The only thing is that I wanted to have a business where I was helping people. I think with lice, I’m achieving that.”
She spent time training with another lice-removal company and even learned about the insects from an entomologist before launching the company.
It’s Lice Time offers $10 screenings for those who think they may have come in contact with the bugs. Lice-removal services range from $75 to $115, depending on hair length and the severity of the infestation, Dolmus said.
While many people prefer the do-it-yourself method for treating lice, Dolmus said over-the-counter treatments aren’t always affective.
“The problem with the OTC treatments is that the lice have grown resistant to those treatments,” she said. “If people would rather go with a professional like me, the advantage is that we use professional equipment.”
Those tools include the latest in lice-detecting technology, like a digital microscope that is linked to a laptop so clients can ensure they are getting an accurate screening. Dolmus said her company is the only one in the country currently using this equipment.
To help others learn about her services, Dolmus is hosting a “Pop-up Lice Salon” on August 8, in which she will be provide free lice screenings near Union Square. She hopes to eventually replicate the event Uptown.
“I’d love to hold one in Washington Heights because that’s where I’m from,” she said. “Maybe the last week of August or early September, just in time for kids heading back to school.”
To find out about the Union Square event and future pop-ups, visit the It’s Lice Time Facebook page.
