--- title: "Does hair dye affect drug test" description: "Does hair dye affect drug test results? Understand hair follicle drug test impact and lab procedures. Call (877) 731-6362 for testing info." author: "AMH Nationwide" date: "2026-08-28" tags: ["does hair dye affect drug test", "does hair dye affect drug test | does hair dye affect hair drug test | does hair dye affect hair follicle drug test | does hair dye affect a hair follicle drug test"] canonical: "https://amhnationwide.com/does-hair-dye-affect-drug-test/" last_updated: "2026-08-28" --- # Does hair dye affect drug test **By AMH Nationwide** | August 28, 2026 Does hair dye affect drug test results? Understand hair follicle drug test impact and lab procedures. Call (877) 731-6362 for testing info. --- Does hair dye affect drug test results? Hair dye and bleaching can alter hair appearance but do not prevent accurate detection of drug metabolites in hair follicle tests. AMH Nationwide uses certified labs and Medical Review Officers to ensure reliable results. Call (877) 731-6362. HAIR DYE IMPACT ## Does hair dye affect drug test results? Hair dye can change the color and texture of hair but does not significantly affect the detection of drug metabolites in hair follicle drug tests. The testing process analyzes metabolites embedded inside the hair shaft, which are not removed or masked by surface treatments like dyeing. Certified labs, including [Quest Diagnostics](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/), [LabCorp](https://www.labcorp.com/), Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, and ExperTox, use sensitive methods to detect drug use regardless of hair coloring. TEST ACCURACY ## What will mess up a hair follicle drug test? Hair follicle drug tests are difficult to alter or tamper with because they detect drug metabolites inside the hair shaft. External treatments such as hair dye, bleaching, or shampoos generally do not remove these metabolites. However, extremely harsh chemical treatments or frequent bleaching may degrade hair samples, potentially affecting test results, but such cases are rare and labs have protocols to recognize altered specimens. Hair dye: changes color, but metabolites remain detectable Bleaching: may degrade hair but not remove metabolites fully Shampoos and washes: do not remove embedded metabolites Hair sample tampering: labs screen for altered samples METABOLITE REMOVAL ## How to remove metabolites from hair? Removing drug metabolites from hair is not feasible through normal washing or chemical treatments. Metabolites are incorporated into the hair shaft as it grows and cannot be washed out or chemically removed without damaging the hair extensively. Attempting to remove metabolites through bleaching or dyeing is unreliable and may lead to sample rejection or test failure due to altered hair. BLEACHING EFFECTS ## Does bleaching your hair alter drug tests? Bleaching hair can lighten hair color and damage the hair shaft, but it does not reliably alter drug test results. The chemical damage may reduce metabolite concentration slightly but certified labs compensate for this during analysis. Excessive bleaching may cause labs to flag samples for possible tampering or recommend recollection, but it does not guarantee a negative test result. ## Need a Hair Follicle Drug Test? Contact AMH Nationwide to schedule a hair drug test through one of our five national lab networks. Call (877) 731-6362 for assistance. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) TESTING PROCEDURE ## Will dying hair affect drug test procedures? Dying hair does not change the standard procedures for hair follicle drug testing. AMH Nationwide collects samples via a lab order and directs individuals to one of five national lab networks for collection and testing. All non-negative results are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer to ensure accuracy and reliability regardless of hair treatment. LAB RELIABILITY ## How reliable are hair drug tests with dyed or bleached hair? Hair drug tests conducted by AMH Nationwide and its partner labs maintain high reliability even when hair has been dyed or bleached. The analysis targets drug metabolites inside the hair shaft, which are not removed by external treatments. Detection windows typically cover up to 90 days of drug use, and the testing complies with [SAMHSA](https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/drug-testing), CAP, and CLIA standards. 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-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 Hair dye does not cause false negatives as drug metabolites are inside the hair shaft and not removed by dyeing. Labs detect these metabolites despite hair color changes. Bleaching may slightly reduce metabolite levels but does not guarantee a negative result and can lead to sample rejection due to hair damage. No, drug metabolites are embedded in the hair shaft and cannot be removed by washing or shampoos. Hair follicle tests can detect drug use typically up to 90 days after use, depending on hair length and growth rate. All non-negative hair drug test results are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer to confirm accuracy. Hair treatments do not invalidate tests but extreme damage may cause labs to request a recollection. 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-hair-dye-affect-drug-test/