What You Need to Know Before Taking a Hair Follicle Drug Test

 

Hair-based drug screenings are among the most thorough methods out there, and if you’ve got one coming up, you’re probably wondering how to pass a hair follicle drug test. Unlike urine or saliva tests, which only detect recent use, a hair follicle test can reveal drug use going back up to 90 days. That’s a long window, and if you’re caught off guard, it could be the difference between landing that new job or facing unexpected consequences.

Why Employers Use Hair Follicle Drug Testing

Companies don’t just choose hair follicle drug tests randomly—they do it because these tests provide a long-term look into an individual’s substance use history. Unlike urine tests, which only show drug use within a few days, hair follicle testing captures a much broader timeline. This makes it the go-to option for industries that need to drug test for job safety, such as transportation, healthcare, and government roles.

If you’re trying to learn how to pass a hair follicle drug test, it’s important to understand that this test isn’t looking for the drugs in your bloodstream—it’s analyzing traces of drug metabolites embedded in the hair shaft itself.

How Hair Follicle Drug Tests Work

The science behind hair follicle drug testing can be both fascinating and frustrating for test-takers. When you ingest a substance, your body metabolizes it, and the byproducts make their way into your bloodstream. As your hair grows, these metabolites become embedded in the hair strands, forming a record of past drug use.

Typically, a technician will cut a small sample of hair—about 1.5 inches long—from the crown of your head. This sample is then analyzed in a lab to detect traces of drugs such as:

• Marijuana

• Cocaine

• Opiates (heroin, morphine, codeine)

• Methamphetamines

• Ecstasy

• PCP

Since hair grows at an average rate of about half an inch per month, a 1.5-inch sample provides a snapshot of drug use over the past three months. That’s why so many people researching how to pass a hair follicle drug test are concerned—it’s not just about what you did last weekend.

Is It Possible to Get a False Positive?

Yes, hair follicle drug tests can have false positives, but they are rare. Most labs use confirmatory testing methods like GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) to rule out false positives caused by environmental contamination or certain medications. However, specific hair treatments, dietary choices, and other factors can sometimes lead to misleading results. If you receive a positive result that seems incorrect, requesting a confirmatory retest is a good idea.

Can You Cheat a Hair Follicle Drug Test?

This is the million-dollar question. While you’ll find plenty of so-called “miracle” detox shampoos and at-home tricks online, the reality is that passing a hair follicle drug test for weed or other substances isn’t as simple as washing your hair with vinegar or shaving your head. Labs are trained to detect manipulation attempts, and if you suddenly show up bald, it’s a huge red flag.

Ultimately, the only foolproof way to pass a hair follicle drug test is time. If you have a drug test on the horizon, try to refrain from drug use for at least 90 days.

Common Myths About Hair Follicle Drug Testing

When researching how to pass a hair follicle drug test, you’ll likely come across plenty of myths. Let’s bust a few of the biggest ones.

• Myth: Secondhand Smoke Can Cause a Positive Result – Labs test for actual metabolite incorporation into the hair shaft, not simple surface exposure. So unless you were around enough secondhand smoke to cause a contact high, passing exposure is unlikely to cause a false positive.

• Myth: Body Hair is Safe – If head hair isn’t available, body hair can be used—and since it grows more slowly, it can sometimes show drug use going back even further.

• Myth: You Can Bleach or Dye Your Way to a Negative Test – While extreme chemical treatments may reduce detectable levels, labs can still pick up traces of drug use, and suspicious damage to hair samples may prompt retesting or alternative testing methods.

The Best Approach for a Clean Hair Test

If you’re looking ahead toward a hair follicle drug test and want to ensure you’re in the clear, the best strategy is simple: Avoid drug use for at least 90 days. For those who are concerned about an upcoming test and want to minimize risk, a combination of a healthy diet, increased hydration, and specialty detox shampoos may offer some help—but there are no guarantees. At the end of the day, the most effective way to pass a hair follicle drug test is to stay clean.

Prepare for Your Hair Follicle Drug Test with Countrywide Testing

Hair follicle drug testing is a powerful screening tool that offers an extended detection window, making it a preferred choice for many employers. If you have a test coming up for an interview, routine on-the-job testing, or other reasons, the best course of action is to plan ahead. For instance, it may be helpful to take your own at-home test in advance. This will let you know if any substances are likely to show up as a positive test result.

At Countrywide Testing, our reliable and accurate drug testing services can help you understand if any substances — from allergy medicines to foods, vitamins, or supplements — will cause any issues by showing up on your test. Forearmed with this knowledge, you can make necessary lifestyle changes or let your test administrator know about any potential complications. 

Countrywide is an online retailer providing you with easy access to standard drug tests. We offer an array of products for testing at home, individuals staying clean after rehab, workplace testing, healthcare emergencies, and law enforcement purposes. Our test kits are convenient, affordable, and ship to you quickly. Plus, our lab is accredited by SAMHSA, so you can rest assured that your test results are handled in accordance with the highest industry standards.

At Countrywide Testing, we provide fast, accurate results in an easy-to-use format so that you can get the information you need. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive selection of testing services.