Updated February 2023 By Dr Jonathan Palmer

Advantages Of Hair Testing For Drugs

Hair testing is a common technique for finding drugs and other chemicals, such as alcohol, in someone's system. But why is hair testing such a trustworthy and reliable procedure? In this post, we'll go over the benefits of hair testing and why it's becoming a more common test option for employers, legal cases, and medical research.

No testing method is perfect, so there are also some disadvantages to hair testing.

The longer detection window of hair testing is one of its main benefits. Unlike urine and blood tests, which generally can only detect drug use for the most recent few days, hair testing can detect drug use for up to 90 days. Therefore, hair testing for drugs can offer a more complete picture of a person's drug use. Hair testing is surprisingly common with many employers, and organisations worried about long-term drug usage among their members or employees will find this very helpful.

The fact that hair testing is a non-invasive procedure is another benefit. Hair tests require collecting a small sample of hair (around 100 fibres that are approximately 3-5cm long), as opposed to urine and blood tests, which also require the subject to submit a sample of their urine or blood. Therefore, hair tests are less intrusive than other testing procedures and are less likely to be perceived as such.

Hair samples are obtained directly from the subject's head, making them less susceptible to manipulation than urine or blood samples. Because of this, hair tests are a more dependable choice for companies and organisations that are concerned about test-taking fraud or tampering.

Hair tests are very accurate and dependable for detecting drugs and other chemicals in someone's system. As with any testing technique, there is a tiny possibility for inaccurate results. Factors that can impact the accuracy of a hair test include external factors such as hair treatments, some haircare products and scalp conditions, as well as the method used to test the hair sample. In the majority of cases, and this can depend on the hair testing service company, hair analysis results are fairly easy to interpret.

Numerous drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, opiates, and amphetamines, can be found using hair tests. Other drugs, including alcohol, nicotine, and steroids, are also detectable by it. As a result, hair tests have become a more thorough choice for companies and other organisations concerned about a variety of substance usage.

Drug and other substance use from the past can be found through hair testing. A hair test can determine an individual's drug use over the previous 90 days because hair grows at a pace of roughly 0.5 inches or 1.2cm each month. This is why hair testing is popular with employers and organisations worried about long-term drug usage.

When compared to other testing techniques, hair tests are more affordable and relatively low cost. Hair tests are generally less expensive than urine or blood tests, making them a more cost-effective choice for businesses and organisations.

A permanent record of a person's drug use is provided by hair testing.

The longer detection window, non-invasive nature, and difficulty of cheating in hair testing are only a few advantages. Hair tests are also precise, dependable, and can detect numerous drugs. Additionally, hair tests offer a cost-effective way to keep a permanent record of someone's drug use.

Hair tests for drugs provide various benefits over other types of testing, such as urine and blood tests. Hair tests are non-invasive, have a more comprehensive detection range, and are difficult to cheat. Hair tests are also more economical and offer a permanent record of a person's drug use. A larger spectrum of chemicals, including pharmaceuticals and other substances like alcohol and steroids, can be found using hair tests.

Hair testing has another benefit over other testing types: it is less susceptible to outside influences like sample dilution or replacement. Because of this, hair tests are a more trustworthy choice for companies and organisations that are concerned about test-taking fraud or tampering.

Finally, hair testing is a popular technique for identifying drugs and other compounds. It has many benefits over alternative testing techniques, including a longer detection window, a non-invasive design, and a high barrier to cheating. Hair tests are also precise, dependable, and economical. They can identify various chemicals and offer a permanent record of a person's drug use. Hair testing is an effective and reliable procedure for employers, legal cases, and medical research.

Get Expert Hair Analysis and Help

If you are interested in learning about hair testing or have a hair concern you would like to discuss, then please do get in touch. Contact the HairKnowHow Team if you have any questions.