Hair Follicle Testing
When individuals use drugs, traces of the drug can travel through the blood and present in the hair shaft. The collection of a small pencil-sized portion of hair will determine if drugs have been used. Oftentimes referred to as a hair follicle test, the hair strand or “shaft” test can detect drug use within a 14-90 day use of any drug. The detection window is much longer in hair drug testing because trace amounts of drug chemicals become trapped inside each hair. The drugs are then incorporated into the hair fiber from the bloodstream and remains “locked” into the hair as it grows.
How do we collect for a hair test?
A hair strand drug test is actually quite simple to conduct and requires only a small volume of hair preferably taken from the crown of the head. The hair is cut as close to the scalp as possible. After the hair strands have been acquired, the hair strands are placed into a chemical solution to rid the hair of all external contaminants. The hair is then liquefied and tested for the presence of drugs.
Benefits of getting a hair strand test:
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Hair strand testing is ideal for chronic drug use.
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Results usually returned within 3-5 business days.
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There are no proven ways to falsify a hair drug test.
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