--- title: "How do you clean your hair for a drug test" description: "How do you clean your hair for a drug test? Learn the science behind hair drug testing and lab procedures. Call (877) 731-6362 for testing info." author: "AMH Nationwide" date: "2026-08-28" tags: ["how do you clean your hair for a drug test", "how do you clean your hair for a drug test | how to clean hair for drug test | how to clean your hair for a hair drug test | how to clean my hair for a drug test | how to clean your hair for a drug test | how to clean hair follicle drug test | how to clean your hair follicle drug test | how to clean hair follicle for drug test | how to clean your hair a hair follicle drug test"] canonical: "https://amhnationwide.com/how-do-you-clean-your-hair-for-a-drug-test/" last_updated: "2026-08-28" --- # How do you clean your hair for a drug test **By AMH Nationwide** | August 28, 2026 How do you clean your hair for a drug test? Learn the science behind hair drug testing and lab procedures. Call (877) 731-6362 for testing info. --- How do you clean your hair for a drug test? Hair follicle drug tests detect drug use by analyzing hair samples for traces of substances over weeks to months. Cleaning hair does not guarantee test avoidance as labs use advanced methods and review all results with a Medical Review Officer. For testing guidance, call (877) 731-6362. INTRODUCTION ## What is a hair follicle drug test and how does it work? A hair follicle drug test detects drug metabolites deposited in hair shafts from the bloodstream. It analyzes a small hair sample, usually from the scalp, to identify drug use typically within the past 90 days. This test is commonly ordered by employers, courts, and [probation](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-probation/) agencies due to its longer [detection window](https://amhnationwide.com/hair-follicle-drug-test-detection-window/) compared to [urine](https://amhnationwide.com/urine-drug-testing/) or saliva tests. The testing process involves collecting about 1.5 inches of hair close to the scalp, representing approximately 90 days of growth. The sample is sent to one of AMH Nationwide’s five national lab partners—[Quest Diagnostics](https://www.questdiagnostics.com/), [LabCorp](https://www.labcorp.com/), Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox—for analysis. Every non-negative result undergoes review by a certified Medical Review Officer to ensure accuracy and interpret findings. CLEANING MYTHS ## Can cleaning your hair help you pass a hair drug test? Cleaning your hair before a drug test does not reliably remove drug metabolites embedded deep within the hair cortex. Common shampoos or home remedies cannot penetrate the hair shaft to erase drug evidence. Laboratories use highly sensitive chemical analysis techniques that detect drug traces despite surface cleaning. Attempts to ‘clean’ hair may reduce surface contamination but do not eliminate metabolites incorporated during hair growth. Consequently, hair drug tests are considered difficult to adulterate or beat by cleaning. Laboratories also test for markers of tampering or dilution. DETECTION WINDOW ## How long do drugs stay detectable in hair? Drugs are typically detectable in hair for up to 90 days after use, depending on hair length and growth rate. Hair grows approximately half an inch per month, so a 1.5 inch sample reflects about three months of drug history. Because the test analyzes incorporated metabolites within the hair shaft rather than external deposits, detection windows are longer than urine or saliva tests. This makes hair follicle testing useful for assessing long-term drug use patterns rather than recent use. LAB PROCESS ## What happens to hair samples at the lab? At AMH Nationwide, hair samples are routed to one of five national lab networks: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox. These labs perform screening and confirmatory testing using advanced techniques such as immunoassay and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Samples undergo careful preparation to extract drug metabolites from the hair matrix. Testing includes quality controls and checks for adulteration. Any non-negative findings are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer to verify results and consider any medical explanations before reporting. ## Need a Hair Follicle Drug Test? Contact AMH Nationwide to schedule a hair drug test or learn more about lab procedures. Call (877) 731-6362 for assistance. [Call (877) 731-6362](tel:+18777316362)[Contact Us](https://amhnationwide.com/contact-us/) TEST ORDERING ## How do I get a hair follicle drug test with AMH Nationwide? AMH Nationwide provides the laboratory order and directs you to a nearby collection site from our network of over 20,000 nationwide. There is no online ordering for hair drug tests; all testing requires contacting us directly. To arrange testing, call (877) 731-6362. We will assist with scheduling your hair collection appointment. Collection sites follow strict chain-of-custody procedures to ensure sample integrity. Results are typically available within several days after collection. DOT AND SAFETY-SENSITIVE TESTING ## Is hair testing used for DOT-regulated drug testing? Hair follicle drug testing is not approved for DOT-regulated safety-sensitive employee testing. The Department of Transportation requires federally certified urine drug testing under [49 CFR Part 40](https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40) for safety-sensitive roles. Hair testing is sometimes used for non-DOT roles or follow-up testing but does not replace required urine tests for DOT compliance. AMH Nationwide ensures all DOT testing follows federal protocols with certified urine collections. 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, washing your hair cannot remove drugs embedded inside the hair shaft. The test detects metabolites incorporated during hair growth, which are not affected by surface cleaning. Typically, about 1.5 inches of hair closest to the scalp is collected, representing roughly 90 days of drug use history. There are no scientifically proven or approved methods to clean hair to pass a drug test. Laboratories can detect attempts to tamper with samples. Employers, courts, probation agencies, and individuals may request hair follicle drug testing to assess long-term drug use. Results usually take several days after sample collection, depending on the lab and testing panel. No, AMH Nationwide does not offer online ordering. You must call (877) 731-6362 to arrange testing and be directed to a collection site. 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/how-do-you-clean-your-hair-for-a-drug-test/