What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is widely recognized as a significant tool for identifying substance use. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding markers within its growing fibers. If gathered near the scalp, hair may offer approximately a 3-month detection timeline for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, equivalent to about 200 strands (the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg, which is the preferred amount for evaluation and verification. For enhanced assessments like EtG or those surpassing 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for measuring the sample. If scalp hair isn't present, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" exclusively indicates scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four principal stages in laboratory drug test processing: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This process ensures the sample's appropriate sealing and transport, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary paperwork absent in an electronic custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary drug abuse check. Although Screening effectively dismisses drug consumption in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

When a sample tests positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the specimen for Extraction, where drugs are removed at concentrations far lower than those detected in urine or oral fluid, illustrating the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of positive Screening outcomes is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive is cleansed before confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized within both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

Extended detection span: Hair drug analysis can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
Enhanced security: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, which increases the accuracy of the results.
Historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug usage over time rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than other methods.
Inconsistent results: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," this procedure involves analyzing the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Keswick, CA
Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over urine testing, primarily due to its extended detection window and superior accuracy. It ensures a comprehensive historical analysis of substance use, making it difficult to evade positive results.

Unlike urine tests, which can be impacted by short-term abstinence, hair tests provide a broader measurement of drug use, proving more reliable and less susceptible to cheating, thus offering a stronger assurance of results integrity to employers and professionals alike.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Keswick, CA
The capacity of hair follicle tests to detect drug use spans up to 90 days, far exceeding the timeframe captured by urine tests. This extended window allows for a thorough overview of an individual's substance history, providing critical insight for employers considering applicants or monitoring current employees.

Employers gain confidence from this method's ability to reveal patterns of substance use that shorter-term tests might miss, helping to maintain a drug-free workplace effectively.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Keswick, CA
Hair follicle testing is renowned for its robustness against tampering and sample adulteration. The nature of the test makes it extremely challenging for individuals to alter or interfere with the sample, ensuring that results remain trustworthy and robust.

This integrity is crucial for reliability, especially in environments where stringent drug-testing policies are enforced, as it minimizes the risk of misleading results and enhances the overall credibility of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Keswick, CA
Our extensive network of testing centers facilitates easy access to drug testing services nationwide. Whether in Keswick or elsewhere, individuals and employers can promptly locate a nearby facility, ensuring quick and stress-free testing experiences.

The convenience of our widespread locations bolsters accessibility, allowing clients to receive the services they need without unnecessary delays or travel burdens.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Keswick, CA
The hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and discreet. From ordering the test to receiving the results, clients are assured of privacy and ease of access. The entire process is streamlined to ensure minimal complexity for all parties involved.

This emphasis on confidentiality is essential for maintaining the trust of those undergoing testing, as it reassures them of their privacy rights and encourages compliance and transparency within testing protocols.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Keswick, CA
We offer competitive pricing structures that make hair follicle testing accessible to businesses and individuals of all sizes. Coupled with expedited turnaround times, our services deliver excellent value, reinforcing our commitment to quality and affordability.

Our clients benefit from this value proposition, receiving cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality or service speed, which is critical for timely decision-making processes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Keswick, CA
Hair follicle testing boasts speed and precision in delivering results. Its ability to accurately detect substance use makes it a preferred choice for quick decision-making. The testing technology utilized ensures high accuracy rates, minimizing false negatives and providing reliable results promptly.

By choosing hair testing, clients benefit from swift processes and a high level of dependability. The efficiency of hair tests suits both urgent and routine testing needs, offering peace of mind with every test administered.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Keswick, CA
Utilizing hair follicle drug testing enables employers to comply with workplace policies demanding drug-free environments. The rigorous nature of hair tests provides assurance, reducing legal liabilities while promoting a safe and productive workplace.

Employers adopting this testing method benefit from knowing they are proactively maintaining compliance, which safeguards their interests and contributes positively to organizational culture.