Before you begin, it is best for the subject to have washed their hair recently and for it to be free of styling products as well. Keep in mind, it takes 4-5 days for more recent drug use to be in the hair follicle and therefore only the use that occurred before that time will show up in the drug test. You will also need to make sure that the hair sample comes directly from the subject; hair from a brush or comb will not be an effective or accurate source for results.
Here’s the right way to collect hair follicles:
- Clean the pair of scissors with an alcohol wipe to sterilize it. This helps prevent the possibility of any contamination from anything that may be on the scissors.
- Next you’ll need to choose a small area about the size and thickness of a straw or pencil; this should be about 90-120 strands though you may need to take more if their hair is shorter than 1.5 inches or the hair is very thin. Cut this section as close to the scalp as you can get at any location of the head.
- Place the hair sample in the collection foil that comes with the hair collection kit. Then you’ll need to seal the sample in the drug test envelope to keep it clear of any contaminants. Be careful to avoid handling the hair directly and make sure that the envelope is properly sealed.
- The sample can now be sent in for drug testing.
Hey there Just had a hair folical test done on myself by CYF in new zealand Hair was taken from chest by random pair of sissors and was not noted on form sent to ESR where hair came from on body nd end closest to skin wasnt marked Failed my test even though i havnt taken anydrugs in over a year Could i have your opinion please Thank you Greg White (new zealand)