How to Pass a Hair Follicle Drug Test: Detailed Guide
Hair follicle drug tests have become a popular technique for identifying long-term drug use, which is why people must learn how to beat this specific test. As compared to urine tests, which can identify drugs in the system for only a few days, hair follicle drug tests can identify drug use for up to three months. These tests are relatively more difficult to beat as they have a longer detection period. This comprehensive guide will help understand the testing process, how long the drugs will show up in the hair, and how to pass a hair drug test.
How Hair Follicle Drug Tests Work
Hair follicle drug test is a process in which hair samples are taken from the head or other parts of the body. The hair sample is analyzed for the presence of drug metabolites that are still present in the hair after drug use. When drugs enter the bloodstream, they circulate through the body and reach the hair follicles where they are deposited as metabolites, thus becoming part of the hair shaft. Since hair grows slowly, it is possible to identify these metabolites in the hair for a relatively longer period.
Why Hair Drug Tests Are Preferred
The main and most obvious reason why organizations have embraced hair follicle drug tests is that this test can detect drugs in the body for a long time. Urine and saliva tests only show recent use and are not suited for long-term monitoring. But a hair test enables an employer or a legal entity to determine the use of drugs for 3 months.
Types of Drugs Detected by Hair Follicle Tests
In hair follicle testing, the detection of drugs is quite flexible, since it is capable of testing for numerous substances. Below are some of the most commonly detected drugs:
- Marijuana (THC)
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamine
- Opiates
- PCP (Phencyclidine)
- Benzodiazepines
- Oxycodone
- Barbiturates
- Methadone
A small amount of these drugs and others can easily be detected in hair follicle tests, and therefore the tests are considered to be very comprehensive. Some organizations also use a 12-panel drug test, which offers a more comprehensive report by testing for different drugs at once. This is usually applied in situations such as child custody cases or legal battles where the history of drug use is likely to come up as an issue.
Detection Window of Different Drugs
Hair follicle testing has a long detection window, which is something that makes it stand out from the rest. Unlike other drug tests, where the test result will only show drug use for a few days or weeks, hair follicle tests will provide a look back period of several months. The average detection period therefore ranges from 90 days, but the time may differ depending on the rate of hair growth of the individual as well as the length of hair sample taken. Another reason is that body hair grows slower than scalp hair, thus a sample of body hair can possibly show the use of drugs over a longer time.
Hair Follicle Drug Test Cutoff Levels
When analyzing hair samples, laboratories set up cutoff levels in order to draw a line between positive and negative. Any test result above the limit of the cutoff level will be taken to be positive, and this will mean that the person has been using the drug. However, if the test result is below the cutoff level, it will be labelled as negative, even in the presence of a little amount of drug metabolites.
Here is an example of common cutoff levels used in hair follicle drug testing:
- THC (Marijuana): 1 pg/mg
- Cocaine: 500 pg/mg
- Opiates: 200 pg/mg
- Methamphetamine: 500 pg/mg
- MDMA: 500 pg/mg
- PCP: 300 pg/mg
It is also crucial to understand cutoff levels, as some individuals who use drugs in small amounts will have undetectable levels of them in their system.
Hair Follicle Drug Test Process
Some of the things you should know to help you when preparing for a hair follicle drug test includes the following. Below are the steps involved:Below are the steps involved:
- Hair Collection: The test administrator takes hair specimens from different areas of the head, cutting them as near the root as possible. If there is not enough hair on the head, body hair can be utilized.
- Lab Testing: After collection, the hair is taken to the laboratory and, first examination is done with the help of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA screening method).
- Confirmatory Testing: However, if the screen test yields a positive result, the sample is subjected to a more rigorous analysis through gas or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Result Reporting: A negative result is usually provided in 3–5 days, though a positive result may take up to 2 weeks or more with reports showing that the sample is either positive, negative or a repeat.
Factors That Affect Drug Detection in Hair
The ability of a hair follicle drug test to detect drugs can be influenced by several factors, including:
- Hair Color: Certain research has speculated that hair with darker color could contain more drug metabolites than hair with lighter color because melanin, which is a pigment used to color the hair, has affinity for some drug metabolites. However, this is still a topic which is still being discussed today.
- Hair Growth Rate: It is a fact that hair growth is not uniform and may vary from one individual to another, and within one person, depending on his or her age, sex, health, and the site of skin where the hair is growing. The concept entails the possibility that hair that grows at a faster rate may reveal more recent substance use as compared to hair that may be growing slowly and thus revealing longer substance use.
- Frequency of Drug Use: When a person is frequently on drugs, he or she has a higher level of drug metabolites in their hair strands. The amount of drugs found in hair will be higher for chronic users, therefore it stands to reason that detection will be easier.
- Amount and Potency of Drug Consumed: The amount of metabolites in the hair increases with the volume of the drug consumed and the concentration of the drug. That is why target users are easily identified for being heavy users rather than occasional users of this product.
- Personal Metabolism: People who have fast acting metabolism systems will clear drugs out of their system at a faster pace than people with slow metabolism systems, hence the chances of hair retaining metabolites will be low. However, metabolism has more importance when one is doing urine or blood test as compared to hair test.
Top 10 Myths About Hair Follicle Drug Tests
It is vital for one to understand that there are many myths and misconceptions about the hair follicle drug testing. Such myths can make people try out futile or even dangerous techniques in the hope of passing the test. Below, we debunk some of the most common myths:
Myth 1: Shaving Your Head Will Help You Avoid the Test
The biggest myth about hair follicle tests is that shaving your head would help you pass this test because there would be no hair to test. But, if no scalp hair is present then testers can easily collect body hair (from either arms, legs, chest or back). Also, if you arrive to the test with no hair on your head at all, the testers may become suspicious and offer you to take a blood or a urine test.
Myth 2: Bleaching Your Hair Will Get Rid of All the Drug Metabolites
Bleaching on the other hand will assist in minimizing the levels of drug metabolites in your hair, but it will not be fully eliminated. They are metabolites of the drugs which are deposited at most layers of the hair cortex, and simple bleach does not have the ability to reach these layers. To increase passing rate, one must use bleach with a detox shampoo or an alternative technique with the aim of eliminating metabolites within the cortex.
Myth 3: Home Remedies like Vinegar or Baking Soda Are Effective
Some individuals opt to use apple cider vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice, expecting that it is possible to beat a hair follicle drug test. Unluckily, these remedies wash only the surface of the hair and these treatments do not go deep enough to eliminates the drug's metabolites of the cortex. Although, such remedies may be helpful for external toxins, they shall be of no use if you are in need of passing the hair follicle test.
Myth 4: Detox Drinks Will Enable You to Pass a Hair Follicle Test
Actually, some individuals may consume detox drinks for the purpose of beating urine drug test, but they do not have any impact on hair follicle test. Detox drinks aim at clearing drug metabolites from urine within a short period of time, but they don’t play any role in clearing the metabolites in hair. When cleaning your hair before a hair follicle test, concentrate on hair detox shampoos and other products developed for the purpose of hair cleansing.
Ways That Can Help You to Beat a Hair Follicle Drug Test
Here are some of the general approaches and detox procedures that individuals employ in hope to clear the hair follicle drug test. Here are some of the most effective approaches:
1. The Macujo Method
Among all the methods of hair detoxification, the Macujo Method is the most popular and widely practiced. It is a complex method that is said to run for several steps with the aim of penetrating the hair cuticle to extract the metabolites from the cortex. The process is quite rigorous and should be done carefully because some people have complained of effects such as itching on the scalp or harming their hair.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the Macujo Method:
- Stop Drug Use: The first and perhaps the most critical step is to cease the use of drugs at once.
- Wet Hair with Warm Water: start with rinsing your hair with warm water thoroughly. This assists in making the cuticle of the hair more opened so that other products such as conditioners and shampoos are absorbed.
- Apply Vinegar: Apply white vinegar on the hair and the scalp also allowing the vinegar to penetrate the hair roots. White vinegar is also incorporated in the hair wash simply because it is effective in dissolving deposits, hence opening the hair cuticle.
- Add Salicylic Acid Shampoo: Bathe with a salicylic acid shampoo or Neutrogena T/Sal shampoo and spread it all over the hair. This is assisted by the fact that the salicylic acid aids in the removal of oils and residues in the deeper part of the hair shaft.
- Wait for 30 Minutes: Allow the mixture to stay in your hair for half an hour. In order not to wet your hair, wear a shower cap to avoid directly watering the hair.
- Rinse Hair: This will help the mixture to seep in the hair properly, so when you are done, wash your hair with warm water after 30 minutes.
- Apply Detox Shampoo: You can use a detox shampoo specifically, Macujo aloe rid, which you apply in your hair and wash with water to get rid of the toxin metabolites.
- Repeat:In order to achieve the best outcome, it is recommended that this process be done severally within the several days to the test time.
2. The Jerry G Method
Another commonly used technique is the Jerry G Method, where hair is treated with bleach and dye to erase metabolites of the drugs. This method is a bit risky, but some individuals using it report it effective in making them pass hair follicle drug tests.
Here’s how the Jerry G Method works:
- Bleach Your Hair: First, you need to bleach your hair. Bleaching assists in cutting down the hair cuticle to clear the drug metabolites in the hair.
- Dye Your Hair: Bleach your hair, then dye it to its previous color to try and achieve a natural appearance. This is an important step if you would not want to attract the attention of the technicians during the test.
- Use Detox Shampoo: Take a detox shampoo to wash your hair, thereby getting rid of all the drug metabolite residues. Some people recommend a high-quality detoxification shampoo like Macujo Aloe Rid.
- Repeat: One has to follow these steps severally before the test for the best results to be obtained.
It is crucial to understand that bleaching and dyeing can cause hair damage, thus before applying this technique, the risks should be considered.
Best Hair Detox Shampoos
One of the best ways to pass a hair follicle drug test is by using the hair detox shampoo. Below are some of the best products available:
1. Macujo Aloe Rid Shampoo
This is regarded as one of the best detox shampoo on the market that will help you pass a hair drug test. It has high concentrations of propylene glycol, which aids in the penetration and extraction of drug metabolites in hair shafts. It is most recommended when used with the Macujo or Jerry G methods of washing and treating the hair.
Usage Instructions:
- Wet your hair thoroughly.
- First, spread Macujo Aloe Rid Shampoo thoroughly throughout the hair and then massage the scalp gently.
- Allow the shampoo to remain in your hair for between 10 and 15 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
2. Zydot Ultra Clean Shampoo
Along with the other detoxifying techniques, people apply Zydot Ultra Clean Shampoo to get a deeper cleaning of the hair. It operates through the elimination of compounds such as oil and dirt on the surface of the hair, making it easier for other products to eradicate drug metabolites.
Tips for Preparing for a Hair Follicle Drug Test
If you know that you have a hair follicle drug test coming up, there are several steps you can take to prepare and increase your chances of passing:
- Stop Using Drugs Immediately: The moment you get to know that a particular test is forthcoming, do not indulge in the use of substances that may make you test positive. The longer you go without using them, the better your chances at getting the levels of drug metabolites in your hair down.
- Start Detoxing Early: It is recommended to start using detox shampoos or one of the mentioned above detox procedures as soon as possible. The longer you take in the process of detoxing your hair, the better it becomes to you as an individual.
- Maintain Good Hygiene: Daily washing of hair even with normal shampoo will help to some extent in the reduction of external interferences. This will not clean the cortex of drug metabolites, but will at least keep the whole organ clean and can sweep off other toxins on the surface.
- Follow Instructions Carefully: Most of the time when you are using the Macujo Method or the Jerry G Method or any other detox shampoo, make sure that you read through the instructions of the shampoo carefully. Failure to follow all steps or taking shortcuts is likely to compromise the process of detoxification.
- Avoid Hair Products on the Day of the Test: On the day of the test, do not use any hair product such as gel, hair spray or conditioner as this might make the invigilator to suspect you.
Conclusion
As for passing a hair follicle drug test, it is not something very easy to do, but not something impossible either. When you have an understanding of how the test works and applying the best detoxification methods such as the Macujo or the Jerry G Method, your chances of passing will be much higher. However, there is no method that can assure one that he or she will pass the test, and the only sensible approach is to avoid any form of drug use in the first place.