by Dr. Gary Farr on 30 June 2003
How to Take a Hair Sample
How to Take a Hair Sample
Before you begin
If you've had a permanent or coloring in the last 4 weeks, you will need to submit your sample 4 weeks after your last permanent or coloring. If you can not send your hair sample immediately, send your doctor an email at this link and let him know the DATE that you will be able to send your sample. doctor know when 4 weeks has passed so that you may submit the sample.
If you HAVE NOT had a permanent or coloring in the last 4 weeks, the first thing to do is print this page. To do so, scroll to the bottom of this page and click on "Print Version". You can also print an Adobe Document of this same page by clicking here.
This is Important!
Proper collection of the hair sample is extremely important and cannot be over-emphasized. Make sure you are working in a clean environment. The following guidelines should be maintained to insure the collection of a metabolically representative sample and to avoid the introduction of external contaminants prior to, during and following the collection process.
Sample Type
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Scalp hair is the only source recommended for analysis. Pubic and other body hair should only be used as a last resort if scalp hair is not available. Note: Pubic and other body hair is only recommended for confirmation of elevated toxic metals and/or to rule out external contamination of the scalp hair.
Preparation
The hair to be collected should be untreated, i.e. not permed, dyed or bleached. If the hair has been chemically treated, wait until sufficient new virgin growth has emerged to allow collection. This is approximately 6 weeks. The hair should also be free of all gels, oils and hair creams prior to sample collection. For those individuals environmentally and/or occupationally exposed to external contaminants, (welding, mining, etc...) special care should be taken to limit exposure between washing of the hair and the collection of the sample.
Location
Each collected sample should be taken in small portions from at least four to five different locations of the scalp. The recommended areas for collection are the nape of the neck (the back bottom portion of the neck), the top back portion of the neck, and the side of the skull. Note: The picture I've shown shows rather large sample areas for clarity. The areas you cut need not be this large.
Sample Length
High grade stainless steel scissors or thinning shears should be used to cut the hair as close to the scalp as possible. The length of the collected hair should not exceed 1½inches. The proximal portion (1½inches closest to the root) should be retained and the excess discarded.
Note: The hair next to the scalp is reflective of the most recent metabolic activity. Try to get the sample from this area.
Weight
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Two full heaping teaspoons should approximate the weight requirement. The weight requested for a hair specimen is 250 milligrams (0.25 Gram). Use of the Trace Elements Hair Weight Scale Cards will insure the collection of sufficient sample weight but this is not necessary if you estimate the two heaping teaspoons of hair. Make sure that you send at least this much and if in doubt send more. If the amount of hair submitted is not adequate, this will delay your test results.
Packaging
Upon cutting the sample, the hair should be placed directly into a clean envelope and then sealed with the glue flap only. Do not use plastic bags in place of the standard paper envelopes to hold the hair specimen. In addition, do not use staples, paper clips, adhesive tape, aluminum foil or other metal and paper material of any kind to seal, secure or wrap the hair envelope and/or the hair specimen contained within.
Where to Send Your Hair Sample
When you have followed all of the instructions above complete the following submission form. All items must be completed, otherwise you may expect a delay in processing your hair sample:
Have you had a permanent or coloring in the last 4 weeks? ____ No ____ Yes (If yes, you CAN NOT submit a sample at this time. If your hair has been chemically treated, wait until sufficient new virgin growth has emerged to allow collection. This is approximately 4 weeks.)
Your Name: ________________________________________________
Date Hair Sample was obtained: ________________________________
Type of Hair Sample: ___ Scalp ___ Axillary (arm pit) ___ Pubic
Your Ethnic Origin: ___ Caucasian ___African-American ___ Hispanic ___ Asian
Other ____________________________________________
Your Occupation _______________________________________________________
Your Natural Hair Color: ___ Blonde ___ Brown ___ Black ___ Grey ___ Red
Are You Pregnant? ___ Yes ___ No ___ Maybe
Your Birthday: ___________ Month ________ Day __________ Year
Names of Shampoos Used:
______________________________________________________________________________________
Names of any dyes used: __________________________________________________________________
Names of any prescription medications you take: ______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Your Signature: ___________________________________________________________
Send this form to:
BecomeHealthyNow.com, Inc
519 Cleveland St. Ste 115
Clearwater, FL 33755
(727) 461-7354
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