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HairConfirm Hair Test FAQ
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1. What drugs does HairConfirm™ screen for?
HairConfirm™ is available in 3 different configurations.
HairConfirm Regular and Express - Tests for 7-drugs: Cocaine (cocaine & benzoylecgonine),
Marijuana, Opiates (Codeine, Morphine & 6-monacteyl morphine), Amphetamine (including
Methamphetamine & Ecstasy), and Phencyclidine (PCP).
HairConfirm Prescription - Tests for 12 drugs (Including prescription drugs) : Cocaine
(cocaine & benzoylecgonine), Marijuana, Opiates (Codeine, Morphine & 6-monacteyl
morphine), Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, Ecstasy, Phencyclidine (PCP), Vicodin,
Lorcet/Lortab, Oxycotin, Percocet and Hydromorphone (Dilaudid).
HairConfirm Business - Tests for 7-drugs and includes MRO review: Cocaine (cocaine &
benzoylecgonine), Marijuana, Opiates (Codeine, Morphine & 6-monacteyl morphine),
Amphetamine (including Methamphetamine & Ecstasy), and Phencyclidine (PCP).
2. What time period does the HairConfirm™ test cover?
HairConfirm™ will detect drugs for a period of 90 days. The test requires a hair sample of 1.5
inches in length. Each 0.5 inch represents 30 days. The hair sample must be cut as close to
the scalp as possible and the most recent 1.5 inches are tested.
3. How does the test work?
Using the detailed instructions as a guide, collect a hair sample of approximately 90-120 hairs.
Mail the hair sample to our affiliate laboratory, Omega Laboratories, Inc, using the pre-
addressed envelope provided. The laboratory will analyze the hair sample for evidence of drug
use. Using your HairConfirm™ Specimen ID number, passcode and email address, you must
register your test once you have mailed the samples to the laboratory.
4. Is your Laboratory Accredited?
Omega Laboratories, Inc* is accredited by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments
(CLIA) and all tests are supervised, reviewed and approved by Ph.D. staff scientists. Omega
Laboratories have performed over 1.5 million hair tests.
5. How fast does head hair grow?
Studies indicate that head hair grows on average of 0.5 inches (1.3cm) per month. This growth
rate varies slightly (estimated at ± 0.2 cm per month), consequently there is some (± 1 week)
time variation possible. Head and body hair do not grow at the same rate; body hair grows at
a slower rate.
6. How soon after use can a drug be detected in hair?
It takes approximately 4-5 days from the time of drug use for the affected hair to grow above
the scalp. Body hair growth rates are generally slower and cannot be utilized to determine a
timeframe of drug use.
7. Can tests be run on people with little or no hair?
Hair can be collected from several head locations and combined to obtain the required amount
of hair. If the head hair is too short, body hair can be used as a substitute. If body hair is
used the timeframe represented by the test is approximately one year due to the different
growth pattern in hair below the neck. NOTE: DO NOT mix head and body hair.
8. What is the shortest time period that can be accurately evaluated?
The minimum time period is approximately one month (0.5 inch).
9. Does external exposure to certain drugs, like Marijuana or crack smoke, affect the hair
test results?
To rule out the possibility of external contamination, HairConfirm™ testing (where appropriate)
looks for both parent & metabolite (bi-product) of drug usage. For Marijuana analysis, our
laboratory detects only the metabolite (THC-COOH). This metabolite is only produced by the
body and cannot be an environmental contaminant.
10. Can hair be affected by cross-reacting substances such as over-the-counter
medications?
Enzyme-immunoassay antibodies (EIA), similar to those used to test urine, are used for the
initial drug screening in hair; therefore the potential for substances such as over-the-counter
medications to cause a false positive screening result does exist. To eliminate the possibility of
reporting a false-positive result due to cross-reactivity, our laboratory performs Gas
Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) for all specimens that screen positive.
11. Does hair color affect results?
Hair color is determined by the amount of melanin in the hair. It has been shown
experimentally, through actual hair samples, as well as determined in court, that hair color has
NO basis in fact.
12. Can hair collected from a hairbrush be used?
No, we do not recommend taking a hair sample from a brush or any other source (e.g. pillow,
clothing) as the sample may be contaminated and there is no guarantee that the hair is from
your child. The laboratory will reject a hair sample if it is not collected and prepared as per the
instructions.
13. How does HairConfirm™ compare to urinalysis or saliva tests on the market?
The primary differences are:
1) Wider window of detection
2) Inability to tamper with the test
Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Opiates and Phencyclidine are rapidly excreted and usually
undetectable in urine 72 hours after use, and in saliva 48 hours after use. The detection
period for hair is limited only by the length of the hair sample and is approximately 90 days.
14. How effective is Hair Testing in detecting drug users?
In side-by-side comparison studies with urinalysis, hair drug testing has uncovered
significantly more drug use. In two independent studies, hair drug testing uncovered 4 to 8
times as many drug users as urinalysis for evidence of drug use.
15. How long will it take to receive the results?
We know it is important that you receive results as quickly as possible. HairConfirm™ has the
fastest turnaround time for hair testing.
Using the shipping label included in this kit, the laboratory will receive the sample the next
business day. Tests results are available 2 business days after the sample has been received
by the laboratory.
16. How will I read the results?
The results will indicate a positive or negative result for each drug class. In addition, when a
donor tests positive, the result will provide an assessment of hair dose response to identify
whether the donor is a low (occasional), medium (weekend, daily) or high (constant) user**.
Please be aware that in some cases, due to the way the body metabolizes the Marijuana
(THC) drug, if a user is a regular user, it may not always show up as 'positive' on the test.
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