What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a strong method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers in the fiber of growing hair strands, it chronicles prolonged usage of alcohol and drugs. When clipped close to the scalp, hair offers an approximate detection timeframe of up to three months for substances. Its collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg, an ideal quantity for evaluations and confirmations. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or more than 10 panel tests, 150mg of hair is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is absent, a corresponding amount of body hair is suitable. "Head hair" specifically indicates scalp hair alone. "Body hair" encompasses remaining types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four principal phases in analyzing a drug test result in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample’s proper sealing and dispatch, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any further data entries not supplied via an electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substances. Though Screening is a financially efficient method to eliminate drug use possibilities in numerous samples, confirmed verification is required for any positive screen to be legally acceptable. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening mandate secondary verification.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase entails drug extraction from hair at remarkably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluids), underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Verification of any positive result from the screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The laboratory procedure, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

Extensive detection span: Hair drug assessments can identify drug usage over a 90-day period, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
Cheat resistance: Manipulating hair drug tests is highly improbable, enhancing result reliability.
Historical insights: It offers a timeline of drug usage over time rather than isolating recent intake.

Limitations:

Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately after 5-7 days.
Expense: Hair drug examinations are customarily pricier than other testing methods.
Result variations: Individual differences such as hair color and growth rate might impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lindsay, LA, hair follicle tests outperform traditional urine tests in numerous aspects. The increased detection duration and accuracy make them the preferred choice for many. Hair testing delivers more dependable insights into an individual's drug use history, ensuring a reliable assessment over urine testing methods.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Lindsay, LA provides an enhanced detection range, capable of identifying drug use over a significant timeframe of up to 90 days. This gives employers a detailed understanding of a person’s history, making them an invaluable asset in comprehensive substance assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lindsay, LA, the integrity of hair follicle testing is unparalleled, significantly minimizing the chances of tampering or adulteration. These tests deliver trustable results, free from manipulation, ensuring that outcomes are both dependable and verified beyond question.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide and locally in Lindsay, LA, our services provide exceptional convenience. Regardless of location, individuals can access swift and seamless testing solutions, ensuring all requirements are met with minimal hassle or delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Lindsay, LA is streamlined for simplicity and confidentiality, from scheduling to result acquisition. Designed to preserve privacy and ease of use, those tested can be assured of a straightforward experience, with results being securely handled and delivered.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lindsay, LA, our competitive pricing structure and expeditious result delivery offer excellent value. Companies of all sizes can benefit from our services, obtaining quick results without compromising on quality, ensuring cost-effective and reliable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in Lindsay, LA is unmatched. Known for their speedy processing and unmatched precision, these tests can accurately identify substance use. Employers rely on these results for quick decision-making, confident in their reliability and comprehensive detection capabilities.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Lindsay, LA, hair follicle testing promotes adherence to drug-free workplace standards, offering protection against legal issues and enhancing safety. The peace of mind achieved ensures that all organizational drug policies are firmly upheld, reinforcing a secure working environment.