Drugs can be detected in body hair for an extended period, but the exact duration depends on the type of hair and its growth rate.
Detection Window for Body Hair Drug Testing
| Hair Type | Detection Window |
|---|---|
| Scalp Hair | Up to 90 days |
| Body Hair (Armpit, etc) | Up to one year |
- A standard 1.5-inch hair sample taken near the root of scalp hair provides a history of drug use over the past 90 days.
- When a hair sample is taken from slower-growing body hair, such as from the armpit, the detection window can be significantly longer.
Factors Affecting Detection Window
- Hair Growth Rate: Hair grows at different rates on different parts of the body. Scalp hair grows faster than body hair, which affects how far back in time a sample can show drug use.
- Sample Location: Testing armpit hair can reveal drug use for a longer time compared to scalp hair because armpit hair grows slower. As stated by reference, body hair (such as from the armpit) offers a detection window up to one year.
Practical Insights
- Long-Term Use Detection: Hair follicle drug testing, especially using body hair, can be a valuable tool for detecting long-term drug use.
- Extended History: Body hair testing offers a longer history of drug use than other methods, such as urine or blood tests, which only detect recent use.
- Privacy: While hair testing is less invasive than urine testing it is still a direct measure.
In summary, while a standard scalp hair test captures approximately 90 days of drug use history, testing body hair like armpit hair can extend the detection window to up to one year.
