A hair follicle drug test will screen for illicit drug use and abuse of prescription medications. During the test, a small amount of hair is removed, and the sample is analyzed for signs of drug use over the past 90 days. It can be used to test for methamphetamines, ecstasy, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, and opioids. Urine drug screens detect if you have been using in the last few days, while the hair drug test can detect drug use for 90 days. Since this type of test will test the last 90 days, there is no fast way to pass the test. However, many people use drug detoxification hair shampoo. Workplaces can request a hair drug test to screen before hiring or randomly during employment. There is also some research that shows hair drug testing can be used to monitor drug use in at-risk individuals.

What Happens during a Hair Drug Test?

The test may take place in a hospital setting or a lab. Your workplace can perform the test using a kit that is then mailed. If your workplace has required that you take this test, then you will likely be supervised during the process. You can wash your hair, use styling products, and dye your hair without affecting the test. After confirming your information, the collector will cut between 100 and 120 hairs from the crown of the head. They will collect the hairs from different spots, so it doesn’t create a bald spot.

How Accurate Is the Test?

The collection and testing process follow a very specific set of standards in order to ensure accuracy. During the testing, the hair collected is first washed and tested for any environmental contamination that could possibly change the results. In order to guard against a false positive, labs conduct two tests.

What’s the Difference between the Hair Test and the Urine Test?

The main difference between the two tests is the detection window. The urine test can only test for drug use over the three days before the test and a hair test can detect for repeated drug use over a longer period.

Passing a Hair Drug Test

Since it takes about five to seven days for drugs to get into your hair, you could shave your entire body. However, this method is usually not recommended because it looks suspicious.

You can also use a drug detoxification hair shampoo. You need to find one with trusted reviews. Most will not work because they can’t break inside the hair follicle to remove the drug toxins. A drug detoxification hair shampoo that can get into the hair shaft to remove toxins will be your best bet for passing.