What is Hair Follicle Drug Testing?
It is often called a hair follicle drug test but actually we don’t test the hair follicle, we cut head hair as close to the scalp as possible for the hair drug test. Leg hair, arm hair, beard hair and underarm hair are all options if there is not 1.5 inches of head hair available.
Our hair drug testing options include, hair drug test 5 Panel, 7 Panel, 9 panel, 12 Panel, 14 panel, 17 panel and Hair Test ETG Alcohol. Important to note, it will take about 7 days for the ingested drugs to show up in the hair.
Key Points:
- Detects long-term patterns of drug use
- Provides up to 90 days of history
- Difficult to tamper with compared to urine or saliva tests
Why Do Employers Use Hair Testing?
Since hair tests can identify drug use further back in a person’s recent past than a urine test, many employers are now opting for hair drug testing, particularly for pre-employment screening. It is also becoming more common in the legal industry when court-ordered drug testing may be required, like for probation, or divorce and child custody cases that may have mandatory drug testing.
Urine drug tests can only identify drug use for approximately a week into an individual’s recent past. For that reason, hair drug or hair alcohol EtG tests are better suited to detect binge or chronic drug usage over a more extended period of time.
Hair testing is currently not allowed for DOT testing or Federal workplace drug testing, but is very popular with Non-DOT employers. For head hair, the individual will need a minimum of 1.5 inches of hair; otherwise, the hair specimen can be body hair.
Benefits for employers:
- Promotes a safe and drug-free workplace
- Detects repeated or habitual use
- Reduces risk of workplace accidents
- Difficult for employees to alter or evade results
Which Substances Can Hair Testing Detect?
Hair drug testing can detect an extensive range of commonly abused substances. Certified laboratories can detect use with high accuracy, including:
- Marijuana,
- Opiates,
- Synthetic Expanded Opiates (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone),
- Fentanyl,
- Amphetamines,
- Methamphetamines,
- Cocaine,
- Tramadol,
- Buprenorphine,
- PCP,
- Benzodiazepines,
- Methadone,
- Propoxyphene,
- Meperidine,
- Ketamine,
- and Zolpidem (Ambien).
Order a Hair Drug Test
How Does the Testing Process Work?
The process is straightforward, reliable, and confidential:
- A sample of 100–120 hairs is collected, usually cut at the base of the scalp.
- If head hair is unavailable, body hair may be used.
- The test sample is sent to a certified laboratory.
- An initial screening is conducted, followed by confirmatory testing.
- A Medical Review Officer (MRO) reviews the results before reporting them to the employer.
Click here to find out how to pass a drug test. There is no way to cheat on the hair drug test. Some folks will shave all the hair off their body to make it impossible to do the hair test. If a hair drug test is required for employment, the individual who shaved their entire body will not be eligible for the job.
Benefits and Challenges
Employers often want to know both the strengths and weaknesses of hair follicle drug testing before making it part of their workplace policy. Here is a balanced look at what makes this testing method effective, along with some potential drawbacks to consider.
What Are the Advantages of Hair Testing?
Hair follicle drug testing offers unique strengths that make it one of the most trusted methods of workplace drug screening:
- Long detection window: Identifies use over a 90-day period, far longer than urine or saliva tests.
- Tamper-resistant: Difficult for individuals to evade since substances are embedded within the hair shaft.
- Behavioral insight: Provides evidence of repeated or habitual use, not just one-time exposure.
- Professional credibility: Often preferred in industries where safety and compliance are top priorities.
What Are the Limitations of Hair Testing?
Hair testing does have challenges employers should consider:
- Recent use not detected: Drugs used within the past 7 days may not appear.
- Higher cost: More expensive than urine or saliva testing, which may be a factor for large-scale programs.
- Privacy concerns: Extended detection windows can raise concerns among employees about personal history.
- Hair availability: In rare cases, insufficient head or body hair may limit collection options.
What Legal and Compliance Issues Should Employers Consider?
Employers must implement drug testing policies responsibly to remain compliant with regulations and maintain employee trust.
Best practices:
- Follow all applicable state and federal drug testing laws
- Use only certified laboratories
- Apply policies fairly and consistently
- Safeguard employee privacy and confidentiality
Ensure compliance and workplace safety with professional testing.
What Should Employers Remember About Hair Follicle Drug Testing?
Hair follicle drug testing is one of the most effective ways to detect long-term drug use. While it cannot identify very recent use, its accuracy, extended detection window, and resistance to tampering make it a valuable tool for employers.
By incorporating hair testing into your workplace policy, you can create a safer, more compliant environment that reduces risks and promotes employee accountability.
