--- title: "Does dying hair affect drug test" description: "Does dying hair affect drug test results? Hair dye does not prevent detection in hair follicle drug tests. Learn more. Call (877) 731-6362." author: "AMH Nationwide" date: "2026-08-28" tags: ["does dying hair affect drug test", "does dying hair affect drug test | does dying your hair affect a hair follicle drug test | does dying your hair affect hair follicle drug test"] canonical: "https://amhnationwide.com/does-dying-hair-affect-drug-test/" last_updated: "2026-08-28" --- # Does dying hair affect drug test **By AMH Nationwide** | August 28, 2026 Does dying hair affect drug test results? Hair dye does not prevent detection in hair follicle drug tests. Learn more. Call (877) 731-6362. --- Does dying hair affect drug test outcomes? Hair dye does not reliably alter hair follicle drug test results because labs use sensitive methods and confirmatory testing. AMH Nationwide processes samples through five national lab networks with review by Medical Review Officers. Call (877) 731-6362. BASICS ## Does dying your hair affect a hair follicle drug test? Dying your hair does not reliably affect a hair follicle drug test. Hair follicle tests detect drug metabolites embedded in the hair shaft, which are not fully removed or masked by hair dye. Laboratories use advanced testing methods including immunoassay screening and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) confirmation to identify drug use accurately. Hair treatments like dyeing may alter the hair’s external structure but do not eliminate drug metabolites inside the hair shaft. Therefore, hair dye is unlikely to prevent detection of drugs in hair follicle tests. TESTING DETAILS ## How do hair follicle drug tests detect drugs despite hair dye? Hair follicle drug tests analyze the hair shaft for drug metabolites deposited from the bloodstream during hair growth. These metabolites are located inside the hair cortex, beneath the cuticle layer, which is only partially affected by dyeing. Laboratories clean hair samples to remove external contaminants before testing. Then, sensitive techniques like GC-MS detect drugs at very low levels. This process ensures that even chemically treated hair can be accurately tested. Hair dye affects only the hair cuticle, not the cortex where drugs reside Labs wash samples to remove external substances Confirmatory tests identify specific drug metabolites Medical Review Officers evaluate non-negative results for validity LAB PROCEDURE ## What role do labs and Medical Review Officers play in testing dyed hair? AMH Nationwide routes hair follicle samples through five national lab networks: [Quest Diagnostics](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/), [LabCorp](https://www.labcorp.com/), Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox. These labs follow strict protocols to handle chemically treated hair samples. Every non-negative hair follicle test is reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO). The MRO considers potential factors such as hair treatments and confirms results through medical evaluation before releasing final reports. APPLICATIONS ## Who typically orders hair follicle drug tests and why is hair treatment relevant? Employers, courts, [probation](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-probation/) officers, and individuals commonly order hair follicle drug tests due to their long [detection window](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-detection-window/) and resistance to tampering. Hair treatment information is relevant because some test requesters may inquire about cosmetic treatments to better interpret results. However, hair dye alone does not invalidate or mask test findings. ## Need a Hair Follicle Drug Test? Contact AMH Nationwide AMH Nationwide provides hair follicle drug testing through five national lab networks with expert review. To schedule a test or learn more, call (877) 731-6362. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) LIMITATIONS ## Are there any limitations or exceptions where hair dye might impact test results? While typical hair dye does not prevent detection, excessive chemical treatments like bleaching or repeated dyeing may degrade hair and potentially reduce drug metabolite concentrations. However, laboratories are equipped to detect such alterations, and any unusual findings are reviewed by Medical Review Officers to ensure test integrity. Hair follicle tests are not used for DOT-regulated safety-sensitive positions; these require [urine](https://amhnationwide.com/urine-drug-testing/) testing under federally certified protocols. PRACTICAL ADVICE ## Can dying your hair help you pass a hair follicle drug test? Dying hair is not a reliable method to avoid detection in a hair follicle drug test. Laboratories use advanced analytical methods and professional review processes that account for hair treatments. Attempting to alter hair chemically to evade detection can lead to test invalidation or additional scrutiny. For accurate drug testing, rely on certified collection and laboratory procedures. AMH Reviewed & Maintained By AMH Nationwide Customer Service AMH Nationwide is BBB A+ accredited and routes every order through Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox, all of which use multiple lab certification agencies and standards such as [SAMHSA](https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/drug-testing)-aligned laboratory protocols, the ANSI National Accreditation Board for forensic testing and calibration, the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Every non-negative screen is reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer as part of standard processing before a result is released, and chain-of-custody documentation is maintained on every collection. This page does not constitute medical or legal advice. **Last updated:** July 2026 You May Also Need [Nail Drug TestingNo head or body hair available? A 5-panel fingernail test covers a similar look-back window.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/5-panel-fingernail-drug-test/)[ChildGuard: Environmental ExposureConcerned about a child or loved one? ChildGuard screens for exposure to drugs in their environment.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/5-panel-hair-drug-test-environmental-exposure-childguard/)[Shorten the Detection WindowShortened options like 30 and 60 day hair panels are also available, useful when a urine test’s 1-3 day window is too short.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/30-day-hair-drug-test/)[Hair ETG Alcohol TestAlso need alcohol testing? The hair ETG test screens for alcohol use, and can be added to the same collection.Learn more →](https://amhnationwide.com/etg-and-peth/) Frequently Asked Questions ## Common Questions No, hair dye does not cause false positive results. Laboratories use confirmatory testing and Medical Review Officers evaluate results to ensure accuracy. Hair follicle tests can detect drug use typically up to 90 days after use, depending on hair length and growth rate. Excessive bleaching may degrade hair and reduce detectable drug levels, but labs detect such tampering and results are reviewed carefully. No, DOT safety-sensitive testing requires federally certified urine testing protocols. Hair testing is used for non-DOT roles. No, AMH Nationwide does not offer online ordering. To arrange testing, call (877) 731-6362 for lab orders and collection site directions. Non-negative results are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer who assesses validity and contacts the tested individual if needed before final reporting. Sources • [SAMHSA – Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs](https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/drug-testing) • [U.S. DOT – 49 CFR Part 40 – Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40) • [CDC – National Center for Health Statistics – Drug Use FastStats](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/drug-use.htm) • [Quest Diagnostics – Employer Solutions, Hair Testing Methodology](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/) • [LabCorp – Occupational Testing Services](https://www.labcorp.com/) ## Ready to get started? AMH Nationwide provides the lab order and arranges collection nationwide. Every non-negative result reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer. Call (877) 731-6362 or contact us. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) --- **Need a drug, alcohol, HIV or STD test?** AMH Nationwide is a national lab testing agency operating since 2004, with more than 20,000 collection sites across the United States. Hair, urine, fingernail and blood testing, panels from 5 through 19, for individuals and employers. - Call: (877) 731-6377 - Find a collection site: https://amhnationwide.com/locations/ - Full page: https://amhnationwide.com/does-dying-hair-affect-drug-test/