At some point in time, the possibility of a drug test arises for many cannabis consumers. Typically, it’s before a job, but it could also be related to staying on a sports team, investigating an accident or insurance claim, or a legal matter involving law enforcement. Although not the most common method, hair follicle testing is one of the most accurate ways to test for past drug use. It’s also one of the toughest to beat, but we have all the details you need to pass with flying colors. None of which requires shaving your head!

How Long Do Drugs Stay in Your Hair?

After consuming cannabis, the THC passes through the bloodstream and leaves traces throughout the body’s soft tissues, fat bells, and hair follicles. It remains in the hair shaft, making it impossible to rinse away with regular shampooing. Passing a hair follicle test is tough because remnants of drug use - specifically THC - linger in hair follicles for 90-120 days after last consumption. Most casual stoners smoke more often than that, and daily users need at least 90 days to detox. 

What if you are already bald or don’t have enough hair on your head? In most cases, body hair will work. Underarm, chest, leg, or beard hair are all acceptable options. We don’t suggest rolling the dice on this one. Some research indicates that body hair can show drug use for up to a year, so you are better off with a traditional hair sample. 

If you are trying to beat a drug test and happen to shave your entire body, it’s going to look pretty suspicious. This is why you’ll want to keep reading and find the best ways to beat a hair follicle drug test.

How Does a Hair Follicle Test Detect Drugs?

It takes about 5-10 days for the hair to emerge on a completely shaven head, but hair follicle testing requires a one-and-a-half-inch sample. A few hairs won’t suffice. Instead, a sample the thickness of a pencil is required to get accurate results.  

After collecting the hair sample, a lab technician will wash it to remove any residue from products or environmental contaminants. Then, it’s cut into smaller pieces and submerged into a special solution that further breaks down the hair shaft.  

The next step is to process the solution by way of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screen (ELISA). The goal here is to leverage the help of antibodies that go to work looking for THC molecules (or whatever other drug metabolite you are testing for). A secondary test is performed to confirm the results if this first analysis triggers a positive result.

Next, gas chromatography or mass spectrometry methods dig deeper to either verify or deny the presence of drug use. This is a very sophisticated testing method and produces incredibly accurate results. However, a false positive is a slim possibility. 

Hair Detox Home Remedies to Avoid

The internet is full of myths about home remedies to pass a hair test. Shaving your head is not going to work, so go ahead and cross that off the list. Using actual bleach or hydrogen peroxide will not work and can cause severe damage to your hair. Dish soap, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, activated charcoal, aloe vera gel, and lemon juice won’t work either. Stay away from the Jerry G method or Macujo method - these are merely attempts to cheat the test instead of permanently cleansing your hair of toxins. 

How to Pass a Hair Follicle Drug Test

You need a plan unless you have 90 days or more to fully detox naturally. And if you love cannabis, a 90-day break might not sound like much fun. So, what are the options? 

We’ve partnered with PassYourTest to bring you the top-rated, most reliable detox products on the market. For times when you cannot risk failing a drug test, PassYourTest products are the absolute best that money can buy. They back their products with full confidence, so you can expect a 100% money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied. Read through their reviews, and you’ll understand why. 

So, what are the best PassYourTest options for beating a hair follicle test?

Total Body Cleanse

The Total Body Cleanse programs are the perfect option for permanently ridding your entire symptom of THC and other unwanted toxins. There are two options - the Extreme and the Ultra. The Extreme is best suited for light to moderate users who have less than a 10-day window to detox. 

The Ultra is best for heavy (daily) users with 10 days to detox. Both kits include powerful capsule formulas with plants and herbs that kick your body’s detoxification system into full gear. These safe formulations will help you shake up loose metabolites and detox them fully before your drug test. 

What’s included:

• Pre and Post cleanse capsules
• AM and PM capsules
• Cleansing guide and meal kit
• Folli-clean shampoo
• 2 at-home test kits
• Phone and chat support

The full detox kits include detox shampoo and are a great choice if there is any chance of additional drug tests, like urine, blood, or saliva. Choose this option if you want to cleanse your system entirely and permanently. 

Folli-Clean Shampoo

If you are sure you only need to cleanse your hair, the Folli-Clean shampoo is just what you need. This super potent detox shampoo offers a detox window to pass your test. For example, after washing your hair, the clock starts ticking. It takes one hour for effects to fully kick in, and you will have 24 hours to submit your hair sample. During this time, no drug metabolites will appear on the hair follicle test. 

Be sure to follow the instructions exactly, and you will pass your test. Here’s how to do it: 

1. Wash your hair using one-quarter of the 2 oz. bottle. Leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing. 
2. Leave your hair damp and wait another 5 minutes before applying the rest of the shampoo from the bottle. 
3. Massage thoroughly, working the shampoo into your hair. Use your fingers to scrub your scalp. Do the same if washing body hair. 
4. Let sit for 5 minutes and rinse with warm water. 
5. Do not use any hair products, but otherwise, style as usual. Then, wait at least one hour before submitting your hair sample. Do not wait longer than 24 hours. 

Folli-Clean works for scalp and body hair, so scrub up any area that might be subject to sampling. 

A Final Word

PassYourTest has been helping people pass drug tests for 20 years. With overnight shipping, you can get your detox products dropped off the next day. If you must take a hair follicle test, don’t wait to invest in the best.