Hair Analysis: Collecting the Hair Sample

Collecting A Clean Hair Analysis Sample

A hair analysis sample is collected ONLY after the hair has been washed and rinsed thoroughly. It is best to lather your hair and rinse it 3 times. Write down the brand and specific name of the shampoo used as the lab will need this information.

At Optimum Health we recommend that you do not put any conditioner, oil or etc on your hair because washing it because these things will distort the results of your hair analysis. You will want to let your hair air dry and then cut and place the cut hair in a clean envelope. If your hair is going to be cut at our center, please cover your head with a clean plastic bag, towel, hat or scarf before leaving your home. This will ensure that the air outside does not blow though your clean hair and contaminate it. Don’t worry about your appearance, we have clients coming in with all sorts of wonderful head covering!

Collecting the Hair Analysis Sample: Cutting the Hair

A Hair analysis sample is collected ONLY after the hair has been washed and rinsed thoroughly. (See the instructions above for washing your hair.) We will collect your hair at our center at no additional charge. It only takes about 10 minutes. If you are collecting your own hair, use our hair analysis kit and the instructions below.

You will want to collect the hair from the crown and back of your head. Doing this will hide the sections cut until they grow back. Start near the crown of your head as shown in the picture.

Part a thin sliver of hair making sure you remain very aware of the location of the part. Now, cut as close to your scalp as possible. Then, keep the hair that you removed between your fingers. Cut about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of the part closest to your scalp off and place it on the paper scale that came with your hair analysis kit. Discard the rest of the length of the hair. Part a new sliver of hair at least 1/2 inch below the first sliver and repeat. You have collected enough hair once the scale tips completely. Place all of the clean hair in the clean envelope that came with your hair analysis kit.