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Hair Follicle Testing Procedures

Hair follicle testing is a way to detect drug use. Drugs circulate through your bloodstream, nourishing your hair while it grows. Hair follicles trap a drug as it deposits into a follicle.

  1. Hair Sampling

    • Many hair follicle tests operate by requiring a sample of hair. About 1.5 inches of hair is necessary to confirm the presence of drug use, as indicated by the Drug Testing Network.

    How it Works

    • Hair follicle tests can provide results for various drugs.

      A lab analyzes a sample of up to 100 strands of hair taken to from the scalp to test for drugs. Testing can search for drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and opiates.

    Confirmation

    • Bleaching, washing or dyeing your hair will not get rid of the presence of drugs in your follicles. Being in a room with someone who is using drugs will not affect your test results. A positive result means that you tested positive for a specific drug.

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