Can body hair be used for drug testing?

In this article, we look at body hair versus head hair drug testing, and the differences between the two.

How can drugs be detected using drug testing?

When a person uses drugs, a proportion of the drug and its metabolites are released into the bloodstream, with a small amount being excreted by the body in a variety of ways. This makes it possible to analyse a variety of samples for the presence of drugs including hair, nails, saliva (oral fluid) and urine.

Even after the ‘high’ has worn off, drug use can be detected by a drug test long after the drug was first consumed, depending on the type of test you take.

The most common types of drug tests include urine drug tests, saliva (oral fluid) drug tests, hair drug tests and nail drug tests, with each offering a different insight into a person’s drug use. Oral fluid tests can detect drugs for up to 48 hours, while urine drug tests can detect drugs and their metabolites up to four days after drugs were consumed.

The rate at which hair grows means that hair drug tests provide a wide window of detection for drug use, making it possible to detect drugs and their metabolites in the hair for up to 12 months after drug use. Similarly, nail drug testing can be used to provide an overview of up to 12 months for drug use (six months for fingernails and 12 months for toenails).

What is hair drug testing, and how does it work?

A hair drug test, also known as a hair strand test or a hair follicle test, involves analysing samples of head hair or body hair for the presence of drugs and their metabolites.

When a person consumes drugs, they are passed into the bloodstream, and the parent drug and a proportion of the drug’s metabolites enter the hair follicle.

When the hair is subjected to analysis, the parent drug and its metabolites can be identified within the hair.

Can body hair be used for drug testing?

If head hair is not available, body hair can be used as a sample.

This can be collected from the face, leg, arm, chest, back or underarm.

Whereas head hair can be segmented to provide month-by-month profiles for drug use, body hair cannot be segmented because of the variable rate of growth. For this reason, body hair can only be used to provide a drug use overview of up to 12 months. Body hair is also collected by weight, rather than the length of the head hair strand.

In what circumstances might you use body hair for a drug test?

Body hair drug testing is typically used when insufficient head hair is available.

It can also be used where only an overview is required, as opposed to a month-by-month profile.

Both body hair drug testing and head hair testing are extremely effective and reliable.

What types of body hair can be used for drug testing?

Body hair samples are taken from the arm, leg, face, chest, back or armpit.

Unlike head hair, these areas are less likely to be chemically treated through dyeing or perming.

What timeframe does a body hair drug test cover?

Body hair can provide an overview of historic drug use up to (approximately) 12 months.

What timeframe does a leg hair drug test cover?

As with other types of body hair, leg hair can provide an overview of historic drug use up to (approximately) 12 months.

How accurate is a hair drug test using leg hair?

A hair drug test using leg hair is just as accurate as a drug test using head hair.

The only difference is that body hair (including leg hair) can only be used to provide an overview of historic drug use up to (approximately) 12 months. Body hair is also collected by weight, rather than the length of the hair strand.

Head hair can be used for segmented analysis – providing a month-by-month profile of historic drug use – or overview analysis, up to (approximately) 12 months.

How accurate is a drug test using armpit hair?

A hair drug test using armpit/underarm hair is just as accurate as a drug test using head hair, or any other kind of body hair.

The only difference is that body hair (including underarm hair) can only be used to provide an overview of historic drug use up to (approximately) 12 months. Body hair is also collected by weight, rather than the length of the hair strand.

Head hair can be used for segmented analysis – providing a month-by-month profile of historic drug use – or overview analysis, up to (approximately) 12 months.

Can facial hair be used for a hair follicle drug test?

Yes, facial hair can be used to test for drugs as part of a hair follicle drug test.

Unlike other types of body hair, beard hair is collected by length rather than by weight (although a minimum weight is still required). Beard hair can provide an overview of drug use up to 12 months with an approximate timeframe (see table below).

Beard hair length (cm)	Approximate period (days)
1	22
2	57
3	92
4	127
5	162
6	197
7	232
8	267
9	302
10	337
11	372

Can pubic hair be used for drug testing?

Yes, it is possible to use pubic hair for drug testing.

Like other forms of body hair, pubic hair is a viable sample type for drug testing and can be a useful alternative to head hair if the Sample Donor has little or no hair on the scalp.

The types of body hair we routinely test at AlphaBiolabs are face, leg, back, chest, arm or underarm hair, but we can also collect samples of pubic hair for testing if required (provided the Sample Donor is accompanied by a chaperone).

For more information or to get a quote for court-admissible drug testing, call 0333 600 1300 or email testing@alphabiolabs.com.

Alternatively, complete our online quote form.

Can eyebrow hair be used for a hair drug test?

While eyebrow hair can technically be used to test for drug use, eyebrow hair is not typically used for drug testing.

This is because eyebrow hair is relatively sparse, making it difficult to collect enough hair for a viable sample. It is also less desirable to collect a sample of eyebrow hair from a Sample Donor, especially where the Donor is concerned about their appearance.

The types of body hair we routinely collect and test at AlphaBiolabs are face, leg, back, chest, arm or underarm hair. We can also test pubic hair, depending on the requirements of the instructing party.

How is body hair drug testing different from a head hair drug test?

While both head hair drug testing and body hair drug testing are highly reliable and are frequently used in court proceedings, there are several differences between the two types of tests:

Sample collection

Head hair samples ideally need to be collected from the highest point of the scalp as this area has the least variation in growth rates. A trained sample collector will cut around 200 individual strands. Two samples are required, an A sample and a B sample. In contrast, body hair samples are removed from the leg, chest, arm, back, underarm or face, and have a weight requirement, instead of a length requirement.

Detection window

Head hair samples can be segmented to provide a month-by-month analysis of drug use for up to 12 months. This is beneficial for those who want a more detailed picture of someone’s drug use over a defined period. Body hair, however, cannot be segmented and can therefore only provide an overview confirmation on whether or not there are drug markers in the sample. Body hair cannot be used to determine when the drugs were taken.

Accuracy

Both body hair and head hair samples are completely accurate when it comes to determining an individual’s drug use. However, head hair can be segmented to provide a more detailed, month-by-month view, whereas body hair analysis provides a general overview.

Types of drugs

Head hair and body hair can both be used to test for the same wide range of drugs, including but not limited to: Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Cannabis, Cocaine, Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, Ketamine, LSD, Methadone, Methamphetamine, Opiates, Phencyclidine, Steroids, Tramadol and Zolpidem. However, head hair can be segmented to provide a more detailed, month-by-month view, whereas body hair analysis provides a general overview.

Where can I get a body hair drug test?

AlphaBiolabs has extensive experience providing drug testing services for local authorities, family law professionals and social workers. We have invested in the very latest technology for our state-of-the-art toxicology laboratory, employing the very best scientists, so you can be confident of receiving an accurate result.

We have a UK-wide network of professional sample collectors, and all sample collections are performed under strict chain of custody conditions.

We also offer free sample collection for legally-instructed hair drug tests from any of our nationwide walk-in centres.

For expert advice on hair drug testing, or to request a quote, call AlphaBiolabs’ Legal team on 0333 600 1300 or email testing@alphabiolabs.com.

Alternatively, complete our online quote form, and a member of the team will be in touch to discuss your needs.