What Happens During a Hair Follicle Drug Test?

If you’ve been called for a hair follicle drug test, you may be wondering what will happen during the test.

There’s really no need to worry because a hair follicle drug test is the most non-invasive type of drug testing. Many firms favor it over urine and blood testing as there’s no risk of contamination nor do they have to worry about bio-hazards and other such materials lying around. For the person being tested, there’s no need to be concerned about privacy or be afraid of pain from needles.

During the test, the tester will take a sample of hair from the subject. This usually requires about 80 to 120 strands of hair, with the roots intact. This is because testers require the newest growth of hair, as this will have the most recent drug use history; up to 90 days for the first 1.5 inches of hair (give or take, as the exact rate of hair growth varies per person.) Most testers will try to test for popular drugs, such as cocaine, marijuana, opiates, methamphetamines, and PCP.  However, there may be some other types of drugs that can also be tested for, like LSD or morphine. For those who may be bald, it’s also possible to get hair samples from facial hair, armpits or the pubic area for testing.

Can I beat a hair drug test?

Drug tests are meant to detect if a person has been using illegal drugs recently or habitually. Testing using hair has become a popular method of drug testing as it’s non-invasive and difficult to switch the samples. Drug testing with hair is done by clipping a few strands of hair, about 1.5 inches from the scalp and testing for traces of common drugs like opiates, marijuana, or methamphetamine. Some people may be asking, are there any ways to beat hair follicle drug test methods?

Hair Shafts

One sure way to the beat hair follicle drug test is by shaving completely. Without any sample, then there’s no way to test for the drug. However, body hair can also be tested for drugs, and this may make a subject look suspicious.

Hair Follicle

 Besides, this will give the tester to administer another type of test, like urine or blood test. It’s also possible to shave completely a few weeks before the test and abstain from drugs so as to give the testers a “fresh sample”. Another way would be to use the special shampoos.

Beat hair follicle drug test

Some shampoos mask the hair to prevent the detection of common drug traces. This may be effective in some places where they are not thorough. Unfortunately, if the sample is washed, then this may negate the effects of the shampoo.