Hair follicle drug tests are becoming more popular because of their ability to go deeper into a person’s drug history. They are also more difficult to cheat and this has the legal industry and employers using them more frequently. There are some unknowns when it comes to hair follicle testing, and we are here to clean them up.
Quick Facts
- Hair testing can detect drugs up to 90 days after use.
- They’re nearly impossible to cheat.
- Shampoos can’t mask a drug’s presence in your hair.
- Second-hand smoke does not lead to a positive follicle test.
Detectable Drugs
Hair follicle testing does not test for different drugs, it only increases the effectiveness of the test. If you choose a 5-panel test, it will still test for marijuana, cocaine, PCP, opiates, and amphetamines. As you go up the ladder, the tests become more specific and targeted to other types of substances. Contrary to popular belief, hair tests detect the same type of drugs as your typical 5,7,10 and 12-panel urine tests.
Head Hair vs Body Hair
The standard 90-day hair test requires the subject to provide a sample that is 1.5 inches long. If the subject shaves his/her head prior to the test, a screening facility can perform the test with body hair. The body hair test can go back twice as far as the head test and determine the person’s drug use during that time. If no hair is available, a urine test is the only way to screen that particular person.
At National Drug Screening, we handle both urine and hair tests for employers and individuals all across the United States. Our drug testing compliance experts can help you determine which test is best suited for your purposes while keeping things in line with your state’s laws and regulations.
Call us today at 866-843-4545 or visit us on the web to learn more about the hair follicle testing services we offer!
