Hair Testing

The presence of drugs in hair is based on a simple principle. Drugs which are ingested into the body circulate in a person's bloodstream which nourishes developing hair follicles.  As a result, trace amounts of the target drug or drug metabolite are deposited in the hair follicle and become entrapped in the core of the hair shaft as it grows out from the hair follicle. Normal growth rates for human hair are approximately one-half inch per month. By testing for the presence of drugs at various levels in the hair shaft core on a given length of hair, a fairly accurate approximation can then be made as to how long a particular drug has been used historically. Since target drug or drug metabolite residues are chemically and structurally stable for a period of time, they cannot be easily washed, bleached or flushed out of the hair structure. Consequently there is little possibility of sample contamination or manipulation. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) forensic laboratory analysis of the hair shaft from an individual can achieve highly accurate drug test results and provide a historical use record. Generally it takes approximately 5 days for drugs to show up in a person's hair and will continue to be detectable in new hair growth for several months.

Hair Testing Prices:                                                                                   

3 months                                                                     $120.00

6 months                                                                     $200.00

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FAQ

Q: What drugs are included in a standard test?
A: Cocaine (including crack), marijuana, opiates (including heroin), amphetamines (both methamphetamine and Ecstasy), and phencyclidine (PCP)

Q: How sensitive is hair testing in detecting drug users?
A: Comparison studies have proven that PDT-90 testing can be as much as 5-10 times more effective in identifying drug users than urinalysis.

Q: What time period does a standard test cover?
A: A standard test provides up to a three month history of drug use. The historical use factor is dependent on hair sample length and closeness to the scalp the sample is cropped from.

Q: How soon after use can a drug be detected in hair?
A: It takes approximately 5-7 days from the time of drug use for the affected hair to grow above the scalp.

Q: What is the shortest time period that can be accurately evaluated?
A: In most situations the minimum time period is approximately one month.

Q: How much hair is needed for the test?
A: A standard screen with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS confirmation usually requires a cosmetically undetectable lock of hair preferably snipped from the back of the head, just below the crown. In general, the amount needed is the thickness of a shoelace tip.