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American Screening Corporation

Rapid Testing And Drug Testing

Can a Hair Follicle Drug Test Use Body Hair?

Drug testing of the hair follicles is a method for checking potential workers or applicants for illicit or prescribed drugs. It can also be used to establish whether a person was under the influence of drugs during a mishap or incident. A sample of hair from the scalp is taken for the hair follicle test, which is then sent to a facility for analysis. A variety of substances and drug metabolites can be screened for by it.


Body hair can also be gathered, but head hair is the most typical hair follicle drug test sample. These samples must be at least a half-inch long and are typically taken as close to the scalp as feasible.

Because drugs are detected in metabolites that linger in hair for weeks, months, or even years after a person uses them, a hair follicle test is more reliable than a pee test.

Employers frequently request a hair follicle drug test, particularly for positions requiring workers to engage in physical activity. It may also be applied as a program component for unbiased drug monitoring at work.

Various drugs, including illicit substances like marijuana and prescription medications, can be found using a hair follicle drug test. It is perfect for workplace drug tests because it can also identify a person's use from the previous 90 days. It is frequently used as a court-mandated exam.


The short response is that it is true that your head hair grows more quickly than your body hair. One of the reasons hair samples are taken from various locations on the human body is because the hair follicle can identify drug residue in the body. One of the body's more delicate parts is the hair follicle, so it is advisable to monitor it constantly. The main cranial nerves and endocrine glands, which are in charge of hormone production, cellular development and repair, and reproductive processes, are housed in this organ. The processes above are controlled by a network of ducts, which are tiny blood arteries.


Sweat or exposure to tobacco smoke is two ways that drug metabolites can enter hair follicles. A hair follicle drug test might be able to find these compounds if they are in your hair.

However, this technique may not be as accurate as urine testing due to the longer detection time. Furthermore, several factors can make understanding the findings of a hair follicle drug test challenging.

Hair samples are typically washed before testing to eliminate environmental contaminants that could affect the test outcome. To ascertain whether any drugs or drug metabolites are present, the material is subsequently examined using ELISA or GC-MS.


Some companies use hair follicle drug tests to determine if their staff members have used illegal drugs. They also monitor employees who might be hurt or have a drug-related mishap.

The hair follicle test looks for a drug residue produced in the body as a substance is broken down. Drug use is almost certainly the cause if a drug residue is found.

The findings might be inconclusive if a hair sample is contaminated or something goes wrong during the testing. In these circumstances, the laboratory will request an additional sample.

A hair follicle drug test has a larger detection window than urine tests, up to 90 days. After sending a hair sample for testing, the results are typically accessible in two to three days.

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