Hair follicle drug test have grown in popularity, and it’s not difficult to see why. They offer an impressive level of accuracy and in-depth analysis of drug presence in the body. Thanks to this accuracy level, more organizations are using this type of test to check employees’ indulgence. This new trend often leads to people researching how to pass a hair follicle test. Cheating this type of test is not easy, especially since the testing process is typically complicated but very detailed. It gets even more scary when you learn that your organization can use it to uncover your drug use history in up to 90 days. But you must pass the test to keep your job, and that’s why we’ve researched and written a detailed article that explains everything you should know about hair drug testing and how to pass it. Let’s go!
Understanding the Hair Follicle Drug Test
From its name, you can tell that this kind of test is conducted on the head hair to check for the presence of drugs and other related substances in the system. But there’s typically confusion regarding its name. Against popular belief, this test is not exactly run on the hair follicle. Instead, it involves a direct examination of the hair shaft to detect substance use over a length of time. It serves the primary purpose of examining long-term drug exposure.
The complicated nature of this type of test means that it typically follows the same process. Here’s how it works:
- Sample Collection: medical staff will collect strands of hair from the scalp, mainly the head temple area. This sample allows the personnel to detect drug usage for up to 90 days. If you’re bald, the professional may require your body hair for the test.
- Processing: the submitted sample is usually sent to a laboratory for hair testing. The processing time is between 1-3 days, but it may take up to one week before you get the final result for the test.
- Drug Detection: The professional uses a unique testing method to check whether there’s drug metabolites or other toxins in the hair sample. They will usually detect the presence of drugs like THC, marijuana, opiates, etc.
How Long Does Weed Stay in a Hair Follicle?
The table below shows some of the drugs that this kind of test can detect and their cutoff values, meaning their detection window.
| Drug | Elisa test cutoff | GC-MS cutoff |
| Marijuana | 1 PG/MG hair | 0.30 PG/MG hair |
| Amphetamines | 500 PG/MG hair | 500 PG/MG hair |
| Opiates | 300 PG/MG hair | 300 PG/MG hair |
| PCP | 300 PG/MG hair | 300 PG/MG hair |
| Cocaine | 500 PG/MG hair | 500 PG/MG hair |
Now that you know how sensitive and hard it is to pass this kind of test, you can now see why employers, legal firms, and most other professionals prefer it. It is comprehensive and can detect drug usage for a long time. But that’s not to say there are no available ways to beat the hair follicle test. More on that later.
Factors Influencing Toxin Retention
As expected, different factors influence how long toxins stay in the body. For example, one person may fail a drug test under the same circumstances that another passed. Here are some factors that may influence toxin retention:
- Body Mass Index (BMI): the body mass index represents the height and weight of an individual. People with higher body mass will retain toxins longer than people with lower BMI.
- Gender: females typically have more body fat than males. So, cannabis will typically metabolize more slowly in women than in men, considering the ability of toxins to hide in fat cells.
- Genetics: it’s not news that genetics affect metabolism rate. As a result, different people can process and get rid of drug metabolites from their bodies differently based on their genetic composition. If your genetic composition facilitates slow metabolism, you can expect an extension in your comeback time, especially if you’re a regular smoker.
- Usage Frequency and Usage Mode: generally speaking, people who seldom use drugs may see their system clear THC quicker than frequent users. So this answers the question, “Will I pass a hair drug test if I smoked once?” The simple answer is no, but you’re more likely to get rid of toxins faster than those who smoke regularly. It is also believed that ingested weed stays in the system longer than other usage modalities.
Hair Drug Testing Procedures
Before diving into how to pass hair follicle tests, it’s important that we talk briefly about the test procedures. Different professionals do this kind of test differently; however, there are three main methods. Each of these methods has its own unique benefits that must be understood when choosing which is right for you. Let’s briefly explain them:
- Lab Testing: this is easily the most popular hair follicle drug testing procedure. It involves the collection of hair samples and moving them to a certified lab where specialized equipment will be used to test the hair specimens and provide accurate results. This procedure is quite expensive because of the equipment involved, but it also guarantees the most accurate results.
- Instant Testing Kits: as its name signifies, this method involves the use of testing kits that provide instant results. These kits, which are mostly sold in pharmacies and drug stores, allow for home testing, particularly in preparation for lab testing. They’re also known as at home hair follicle test kits.
- Online Testing Services: if you’ll use this method, you’ll need to communicate to an online testing facility, who will mail testing kits to you. The kits are mainly for sample collection. You’ll need to follow the attached instructions carefully to collect your hair sample and mail it back to them for screening.
While home testing is not a bad idea, we typically prefer supervised testing. Sample collection is an important aspect of the process, and having a professional supervise the process helps for more trust and to avoid tempering the sample.
Interpreting Drug Test Results
Hair test results are reported as positive or negative. A positive result shows the presence of a drug in your hair, while a negative result shows that no trace of drug was found in your hair. A negative result can also mean that the drug metabolites in your hair are not enough to show up in a test.
Before interpreting this kind of result, you must know the laboratory method used. The methods are often classified into two, namely:
Initial Test Methods
This testing method, also referred to as immunoassay, provides preliminary results. As a result, you can only expect the results to focus on revealing the drugs and drug classes detected above the lab’s cutoff point for positive results. However, most labs won’t stop here. Instead, they’ll go further to run another test using the confirmatory testing method.
Confirmatory Testing Method
This involves the use of gas or liquid chromatography to further research the initial results of a drug test. This method provides more details and accuracy, including the specific metabolites in your hair sample.
Pre-test Preparations: What to Avoid
This type of test does not require special preparation. But that doesn’t call for carelessness while preparing for it. Instead of smoking, staying around vapers while they smoke may impact the result. Nothing guarantees you a positive result more than complete abstinence from THC. You also want to avoid foods like poppy seed and direct contact with any kind of drug. These products can often lead to false test results. We also advise talking to your doctor about products you are using that are not allowed in your workplace, such as mouthwash, weight loss pills, CBD products, and antidepressants. They can advise you on the right steps to take to avoid being flagged for THC usage.
Also, don’t forget that a drug metabolite can stay in your hair long after you’ve consumed weed. So, the earlier you talk to a professional, the better for you. Don’t forget to ask questions like “How long does weed stay in your hair follicle before a test?”
How to Pass a Hair Drug Test?
One of the best ways to pass a hair drug test is to detoxify. It simply involves removing toxins from the hair. There are so many methods and products for this, but we’ll concentrate on explaining the best methods. The best hair detox shampoo for drug tests is usually expensive, but its efficiency level always justifies their prices. The two most popular detoxification products include:
Old Style Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo
This is easily one of the most trusted products for eliminating toxins from the hair follicles. Most people will recommend it when you’re looking for how to pass hair follicle ASAP because it gives you maximum cleanliness.
Ingredients of Aloe Toxin Rid
The shampoo features key active ingredients among its lots of ingredients. They include:
- Propylene glycol
- EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)
- Sodium metabisulfite
- Di-panthenol
- MEA sulfosuccinate
- Aloe barbadensis leaves
- Sodium laureth sulfate.
Usage Instructions
- Apply this shampoo to your already moistened hair
- Massage the shampoo into your hair and scalp
- Leave for about 10 minutes
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
Zydot Ultra Clean Shampoo
Zydot shampoo is the only complete deep-cleaning shampoo because it comes with conditioners and purifying treatments.
The product contains a shampoo, purifier, and conditioner to ensure toxin-free hair and smooth locks after hair washing. It also helps to maintain your hair color throughout the process.
Zydot Ultra Clean Ingredients
- Aloe vera
- Panthenol
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Cocamide DEA
- Citric acid
- Sodium PCA
- DMDM Hydantoin
- Avocado oil
- Citric acid
- Cocamidopropyl betaine
- Sodium thiosulphate
How to Use Effectively
- This product should be used on the day of your hair follicle testing after you’ve finished your routine with the Old Style Shampoo.
- The Zydot shampoo should be applied in the same manner listed above for the first shampoo.
- Use the purifier and conditioner to deep-cleanse the hair follicles, reviving their natural shine after treatment.
For best results, we recommend pairing both shampoos so the Zydot shampoo can serve as an extra layer of protection to ensure all the remaining metabolites get cleaned right before your test.
Pros and Cons of Both Products
| Shampoo | Pros | Cons |
| Old Style Toxin Rid Shampoo |
|
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| Zydot Ultra Clean |
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Strategies to Pass Hair Strand Drug Tests
As expected, passing a hair drug test is difficult. But that’s not to say it’s not possible. You just need to know how to prepare for every stage. So, if you’re wondering how to destroy metabolites in hair, you should try the Macujo method for hair detoxification.
The Macujo Method – A Step-By-Step Solution
The Macujo method, named after its inventor, is an intensive hair cleaning strategy that removes drug residues from the most sensitive parts of the hair. The ingredients required for this process include:
- The Old Style Shampoo
- Zydot Shampoo
- Clean and Clear Pink
- Vinegar
- Liquid tide Detergent
Usage Direction
Let’s get straight to business – what are the steps involved in using the Macujo method for drug detoxification?
- Step 1 – Stay away from all kinds of drugs. Don’t forget that abstinence is the best way to begin a detailed cleanse of your body.
- Step 2 – Rinse your hair with lukewarm water before applying a generous amount of Heinz vinegar to it. This helps to soften the hair cuticles before the detoxification process begins.
- Step 3 – Rub the Clean and Clear Pink on your hair, gently massaging it until it blends into your hair.
- Step 4 – Use clean running water to wash out the cleanser and vinegar from your hair.
- Step 5 – Apply the Toxin Rid Shampoo, using the steps we’ve explained above.
- Step 6 – Use the available Tide Liquid Detergent to rinse off any remaining residues from your hair.
- Step 7 – Use the Zydot Shampoo in the same manner explained above to complete the detox process on your hair. Don’t forget to rinse off with warm water.
Repeat the method in the same manner every day for 3-6 days before your test.
The Jerry G Method – An Alternative Approach
The Jerry G Method is another popular method of hair detoxification when preparing for this kind of test. Although not as effective as the Macujo method, this option comes handy for people that are okay with using hair bleach and dye to break down toxins in the hair.
Ingredients Required
- Hair dye (with ammonia)
- Baking soda powder
- Efficient detox shampoo
- Ultra Clean Shampoo from Zydot.
Usage Direction
- Step 1 – Start by abstaining from marijuana or any related drugs for up to 10 days.
- Step 2 – While abstaining from drugs, use the ammonia hair dye to bleach your hair.
- Step 3 – Use the detox shampoo to thoroughly wash your hair, following the steps above.
- Step 4 – On the final day of your abstinence, bleach and detox your hair again.
- Step 5 – Apply baking soda paste and massage into your hair every day during the treatment period before showering.
- Step 6 – Apply the second shampoo to rinse off any remaining residues.
Debunking Common Hair Test Myths
Here, let’s expose some of the most common myths relating to this kind of test.
- Bleaching your hair can help you pass a drug test: While bleaching can help to reduce some toxins from your hair, it’s important to note that it doesn’t guarantee a negative result. Drug metabolites are typically trapped in the innermost part of your hair shaft, where the effect of bleach isn’t able to reach.
- Shaving your head: If you shave your head, it does not mean that the test will be canceled. Instead, it’ll force lab technicians to take their sample from your body hair, where drug metabolites stay for even longer.
- Immediate drug cessation: It is important to note that quitting immediately does not guarantee a negative test result. This test can detect drug usage for up to 90 days. So, if this is your strategy, you must quit smoking for a long time before going to the lab and not just a few days before.
FAQ
Will I Pass a Hair Drug Test If I Smoked Once?
You may pass a hair drug test if you smoked once because infrequent usage results in shorter drug detection periods. But a complete test like the 12 panel hair follicle drug test may still detect even the slightest trace of drug metabolites.
How Long Does It Take for a Hair Follicle Drug Test to Come Back?
The results for hair drug tests are usually available during three to five working days. However, certain factors, like taking it for confirmatory testing, can delay it a little more.
How Do I Know If I Passed a Hair Drug Test?
The result for any drug test is usually reported as negative or positive. Negative test results indicate that no drug or drug metabolites were detected in the submitted sample. A positive result indicates that a drug or its metabolites were detected.
Do Detox Shampoo Work Well?
Yes, detoxification shampoo works well when used correctly. Most top detox shampoo brands include detailed instructions on how to use their products correctly. You can always use any of the methods in this article, guaranteed that it’ll remove toxins from your hair before a drug test.
Conclusion
The detailed nature of the hair follicle drug test makes it a difficult test for anyone to pass. Unfortunately, more employers are adopting this method to screen employees, making it difficult for stoners to pass drug tests. But there’s hope—you can still opt for effective solutions like the Macujo method, especially if your employer insists on hair follicle drug tests. Products like the Old Style Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo and Zydot Ultra Clean Shampoo stand out for their effective cleaning power and ability to maintain normal hair texture while washing out toxins. We’ve also reviewed how to pass hair follicles with home remedies. Follow the steps provided in this article to effectively prepare for a hair test.