- Daniel Miller
- Updated: Jul 18, 2023
How to Pass a Hair Drug Test: The Ultimate Guide
Today, we’re diving into a topic that can be quite challenging for some of you out there: passing a hair drug test (also known as hair follicle drug test).
As someone who believes in the power of knowledge and education, I want to share some valuable information with you.
The Toughest Test to Pass
If you’ve ever used marijuana or other drugs, you probably know that hair drug tests are considered the hardest to pass.
These tests can detect drug usage from up to 90 days ago.
But don’t worry, I’m here to tell you about effective and proven methods to pass a hair follicle drug test.
Although our focus will be on marijuana, the methods explained here also work for meth, opiates, alcohol, and cocaine.
Home Remedies and Gentle Solutions
We’ll be exploring several home remedies that can help you pass the test.
More importantly, I’ll also explain methods that won’t damage your hair or make your scalp burn like hell.
You deserve to look and feel your best, even while tackling this challenge.
The Problem with Hair Drug Tests and Marijuana
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. When you use drugs, metabolites enter your blood and make their way to your hair follicles.
They then become deposited into your hair strands and stay there until your hair is cut.
Once you stop using drugs, no new drug metabolites enter your newly grown hair.
However, THC (the main psychoactive compound in marijuana) is fat-soluble and gets stored in your body fat.
Even after you stop using marijuana, THC can slowly be re-released into your blood for weeks or even months.
And, as it re-enters your bloodstream, THC can end up in your newly grown hair.
This means you can test positive for THC on a hair drug test even if you stopped using marijuana a long time ago.
Don’t Waste Your Time: Learn Which Methods Fail to Pass a Hair Drug Tests!
As we explore ways to pass a hair drug test, it’s important to first address some methods that simply don’t work. Let’s discuss a few of them.
Abstaining: Not the Solution You Might Think
You might assume that abstaining from marijuana would clear it from your hair.
However, THC is already deposited in your hair, and you cannot remove it by abstaining. In fact, things can get worse.
THC is present in body fat cells, and when your body breaks down these cells, THC is released into the blood and gets deposited into your hair.
Even if you abstain for 90 days, there’s no guarantee your newly grown hair will be clean.
So, unless you give up weed consumption completely for at least 120 days, it won’t help you much. You could still get caught on such a test.
Bleaching Your Hair: More Harm than Help
Some online forums discuss the method of bleaching your hair to pass a drug test. However, its effectiveness is less than 40%. Additionally, using bleach will damage your hair and scalp, which can be terrible, especially for women.
The person collecting the sample will notice the damage caused by bleach and any ulcers on your scalp, raising suspicion. In response, they may take a sample from another part of your body, like your hand.
Shaving Your Head: A Suspicious Move
Shaving your head won’t help you pass a hair drug test.
If you’re bald, they can take hair from any other part of your body. You could shave all your body hair, but that would look very suspicious.
Most likely, you’d be fired or, at best, placed on probation while they wait “patiently” for your hair to grow back.
Wearing a Wig: An Easy-to-Spot Trick
Wearing a wig is another method that doesn’t work. People who collect hair samples will likely discover the wig, either from a different hairstyle or synthetic hair samples.
Taking Detox Pills or Drinks: Ineffective for Hair
Detox pills and drinks cannot remove THC from your hair. While they can help you get rid of THC from your urine and blood, they cannot penetrate your hair and destroy THC metabolites there.
Understanding the Drug Testing Procedure
To confidently navigate the hair drug testing process and avoid any mistakes, it’s crucial to understand the procedure step by step.
What to Expect During the Test
Your hair strand test might take place in a lab, within a hospital setting, or even at your workplace using a kit that’s later mailed to a laboratory. The clinical manager will first check your ID and then explain the procedure to you.
They will discreetly take a sample of hair from the back part of your head, using sanitized shears to cut 1.5 inches of your hair close to the root.
Since our hair grows approximately 0.5 inches per month, this sample will allow them to detect drug usage during the last three months.
The hair sample will be placed into foil and then into an envelope, which will be sent to the lab. The results will be returned to the company within 3-5 business days.
ELISA Drug Test Screening
In the lab, your hair sample will go through an ELISA drug screening.
- The hair sample will be cut into small segments, and 20mg of hair will be mixed with methanol.
- After 10 minutes, the methanol will be removed from the sample, and 2ml of fresh methanol will be added.
- The mixture will then be incubated for 2 hours at 70-75°C.
- The methanol will be separated from the hair sample and evaporated using nitrogen.
- Finally, a dilution buffer liquid will be added, and the sample will be analyzed for the concentration of drug metabolites.
Drugs That Can Be Detected
The hair drug test can detect a variety of substances, including:
- Cannabis / marijuana / weed / THC
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines (Ecstasy, Methamphetamine, and MDMA)
- Opiates (Heroin, Morphine, and Codeine)
- PCP (Phencyclidine, also known as Angel Dust)
How Long Does Weed Stay in Hair?
Understanding the duration of THC presence in your hair is vital.
In theory, weed stays in your hair forever.
When THC enters the hair follicle through the blood, it’s deposited into the hair shaft, where it remains until that part of the hair is cut.
However, hair drug tests typically only check the 1.5 inches of hair closest to the root, which corresponds to the last 90 days of drug usage.
How THC Enters Your Hair
When you smoke marijuana, THC enters your bloodstream. As blood flows to the hair follicle, THC is deposited into the hair cortex. It takes about seven days for THC to become part of your hair.
So, if you stop smoking for seven days, your newly growing hair will be clean. However, this only holds true for occasional smokers.
The majority of THC is stored in body fat cells, which slowly release it back into the blood.
This means that even if you stop smoking, THC can still be released into your bloodstream and deposited into your hair. This is particularly bad news for heavy and overweight smokers. Even if you quit smoking for 90 days, THC can remain in your body fat, enter your blood, and become part of your hair.
Removing Drug Metabolites from Hair
To pass a hair drug test, you must remove drug metabolites from the hair cortex. The hair cortex is protected by an external layer called the cuticle. To effectively remove metabolites from the cortex, you need to:
- Open the hair cuticle
- Dissolve the drug residues within the hair cortex
- Wash the dissolved residues out
- Close the hair cuticle to prevent hair damage
Home Remedies for Passing Hair Drug Tests
While professional detox shampoos may be the most effective method for passing a hair drug test, some people turn to home remedies as a more affordable option.
However, these methods often require many ingredients, and in some cases, they may cause damage to hair and scalp.
Keep in mind that these methods can take longer to prepare and execute compared to using a detox shampoo.
Common Ingredients
Most home remedies for passing a hair drug test involve easily accessible and affordable ingredients you can find in your kitchen, such as detergent, lemon juice, baking soda, sea salt, and vinegar.
User Negative-Solid Method: A Reddit Discovery
Here’s a popular home remedy we found on Reddit, shared by user Negative-Solid. This method involves several steps:
- Baking soda paste: Mix baking soda with water to create a thick paste. Apply it to your hair and leave it on for an hour before rinsing thoroughly.
- Vinegar and salicylic acid treatment: Soak your hair in vinegar and add a 2% salicylic acid solution (such as Clean and Clear). Scrub your hair and leave the solution on for 30 minutes before rinsing.
- Tide hair scrub: Apply Tide laundry detergent to your hair, scrub, and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing.
- Propylene glycol treatment: Purchase animal-grade propylene glycol from a supplier like Tractor Supply Co. Apply it to dry hair and let it sit for 15 minutes. Repeat the application twice in between washes.
- Zydot treatment: The night before the test, scrub your hair with Zydot (available at smoke shops). Use two boxes for long hair. The morning of the test, do another round of Zydot treatment and go directly to the test afterward.
Avoiding Recontamination
It’s essential to avoid recontaminating your hair during the treatment process:
- Clean combs, brushes, and hair accessories with alcohol or buy new ones.
- Use a different towel after each treatment session.
- Wash pillowcases in hot water.
- Focus on the back near the crown and sides of the head when applying treatments.
Use your fingertips to scrub your hair without scratching the scalp.
The Jerry G Method: A Multi-Step Approach
The Jerry G Method is another approach some people use to try to pass a hair drug test. This method requires stopping the use of THC-containing substances and other drugs at least 10 days before the test.
- Dye your hair: Use a permanent hair dye containing ammonia. Ammonia helps open the hair cuticle, which is essential for flushing out drug toxins. Keep in mind that dark hair color may arouse suspicion.
- Wash with Old Style Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo: After dyeing, wash your hair with Old Style Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Let your hair air dry to avoid further damage.
- Wait 10 days and repeat: Wait 10 days and then repeat steps 1 and 2.
- Baking soda paste: The day before the screening, apply a generous amount of baking soda paste to each hair strand. Let it sit for 15 minutes to neutralize any acidic substances.
- Rinse with Old Style Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo: Wash the baking soda paste out using Old Style Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo, massaging your hair and scalp to remove any residue.
- Final washing: Use the Old Style Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo one more time for a final wash.
Macujo Method: A Chemical Process
The Macujo Method is another alternative for those attempting to pass a hair drug test:
- Soak in vinegar: Soak your hair in white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for 30 minutes to open the hair cuticle scales and make it easier to access the cortex.
- Apply Clean and Clear Astringent: Apply Clean and Clear Astringent with salicylic acid to your hair and cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes. This is meant to penetrate the cortex and destroy THC. Massage it thoroughly into your hair and let it soak.
- Wash with Tide detergent: Rinse the acid and vinegar from your hair and soak in Tide detergent for an hour. This should help remove THC-COOH, which is water-soluble, from your hair.
- Condition and restore moisture: Wash everything out of your hair and apply conditioner. Cover with a shower cap for 10 minutes to restore moisture and prevent hair from feeling like plastic.
Reverse Macujo Method: A Twist on the Original
The Reverse Macujo Method is another option for those looking to pass a hair drug test. This method involves reversing the steps of the original Macujo Method:
- Soak in Tide detergent: Soak your hair in Tide detergent for an hour.
- Apply Clean and Clear Astringent: Apply Clean and Clear Astringent with salicylic acid to your hair and cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes.
- Soak in vinegar: Soak your hair in white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for 30 minutes.
- Condition and restore moisture: Wash everything out of your hair and apply conditioner. Cover with a shower cap for 10 minutes to restore moisture and prevent hair from feeling like plastic.
- Unnamed Method: A Personalized Approach
Method From Reddit User
- Shampoo: Shampoo your hair for 5 minutes and rinse well.
- Baking soda scrub: Scrub your hair with baking soda for about 6 minutes, let it sit for 4 minutes, then rinse and dry.
- Repeat step 1
- Clean and Clear Astringent: Scrub your hair with Clean and Clear Deep Cleaning Astringent for about 6 minutes and let it sit for 30 minutes, using a shower cap.
- Tide detergent and Clean and Clear: Use a dab of liquid Tide detergent and scrub your hair with the Clean and Clear Astringent for 6 minutes, then rinse.
- Repeat step 1
- Apple cider vinegar: Spray apple cider vinegar on your hair and scrub for 6 minutes.
- Clean and Clear and vinegar mix: Spray Clean and Clear Astringent on your hair, mix with the vinegar already on your head, and let it sit for 30 minutes, using a new shower cap.
- Tide detergent scrub: Use a dab of liquid detergent and scrub your hair for about 6 minutes, then rinse.
- Repeat step 1
This person was methodical about their approach, focusing on opening the hair cuticle with bases (baking soda and Tide) and closing it with acids (Clean and Clear and vinegar). They also made lifestyle adjustments, such as shaving their body, changing pillowcases nightly, and using a clean towel for every wash
After 10 washes, they used a hair sample test kit from a local store, which returned a negative result. They continued the washes while waiting for the results and ultimately completed 20 washes. On the day of the actual test, they used the Zydot mixture.
Another method found on Reddit
I came across an interesting method on Reddit that combines various techniques for passing a hair drug test.
To begin, you’ll need to gather the following materials: baking soda, Clean & Clear acne wash (pink kind with 3% salicylic acid), vinegar, Tide detergent, shower caps, Garnier Hair Reset (both charcoal and aloe versions), Vaseline, propylene glycol, and Zydot (or a similar hair detox product).
Protecting Your Skin
Before starting this method, it’s essential to apply Vaseline liberally to your forehead, back of your neck, and in and behind your ears.
This helps prevent chemical burns from the products used.
Altered Macujo Method
- Vinegar and salicylic acid: Mix vinegar and salicylic acid, apply to your hair, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Perform a light rinse.
- Baking soda paste: Create a baking soda and water paste and apply it to your hair for 30 minutes. Do not rinse.
- Tide detergent: Wash your hair with Tide detergent for 5 minutes and then rinse.
- Garnier Hair Reset: Apply both versions of Garnier Hair Reset for 5 minutes and then rinse.
Reverse Macujo Method
- Baking soda paste: Apply the baking soda and water paste to your hair for 30 minutes.
- Propylene glycol: Apply propylene glycol to your hair, comb it through, and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse.
- Tide detergent: Wash your hair with Tide detergent for 5 minutes and rinse.
- Propylene glycol rinses: Apply propylene glycol for two rinses.
- Vinegar and salicylic acid: Mix vinegar and salicylic acid, apply to your hair, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse.
- Propylene glycol: Apply propylene glycol for 10 minutes and then rinse.
Optional Hair Relaxer
Using a no-lye hair relaxer according to the product’s instructions may help further open hair cuticles and release more drug metabolites. This step is optional.
Zydot or Similar Hair Detox Product
- Baking soda paste: Apply the baking soda and water paste to your hair for 30 minutes.
- Follow product instructions: Follow the instructions on the Zydot (or similar product) packaging, adding propylene glycol during the second step.
Day of the Test
- Baking soda paste: Apply the baking soda and water paste to your hair for 30 minutes.
- Cleansing shampoo: Use a cleansing shampoo (such as High Voltage), following the instructions and adding propylene glycol during the second step.
- Test location: Arrive at the testing facility 30 minutes after completing the cleansing shampoo step.
The Henchmen Approach
In the Henchmen Method, you’ll start by bleaching your hair using Revlon Ultra Blonde Bleach, leaving it on for an hour each time.
After bleaching, use Clean and Clear, baking soda, Tide detergent, and white vinegar on your hair.
Leave each product on the hair for about 30 minutes before rinsing.
To complete this method, get your hair professionally dyed to a darker blonde color.
The Saucymesser Technique
For the Saucymesser Method, you will need the following items: a shower cap, White House White Distilled Vinegar (64oz), Clean and Clear Astringent (Step 2/pink one), baking soda, and Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent.
Preparing Your Hair
To begin, shave the hair on your legs, chest, armpits, and groin as a precautionary measure. This ensures you only need to apply the method to your scalp.
Step-by-Step Application
- Wet your hair: Wet your hair with warm water over the kitchen or bathroom sink.
- Vinegar massage: Apply and massage 1-2 cups of vinegar into your scalp for a few minutes.
- Clean and Clear Astringent: Apply and massage 1-2 oz of Clean and Clear Astringent into your scalp along with the vinegar for a few more minutes.
- Shower cap: Place the shower cap on your head and let the vinegar and astringent mixture stand in your hair for about an hour.
- Baking soda: Take a shower and use baking soda (you can mix it with a small amount of shampoo) in your hair. Mix it well, and let it stand for a few minutes before rinsing.
- Tide detergent: In the shower, apply Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent to your hair, massage it well, and rinse it out.
- Baking soda again: Apply baking soda to your hair one more time, as it helps your scalp heal and keeps your hair soft, in addition to being an excellent natural cleanser.
Hair Relaxer and Drug Tests: Can it Help?
A 2015 research study found that hair relaxer, a chemical straightening treatment commonly used by African American women, can destroy part of the drug metabolites in hair.
This suggests that hair relaxer could potentially be used as part of a treatment to pass a hair drug test. To dive deeper into this, let’s look at the key takeaways from the study.
How Hair Relaxers Affect Drug Metabolites
The study investigated the effects of relaxers on the stability of drugs of abuse in hair.
The researchers discovered that the strong alkaline nature of the treatment impacts the stability of drugs in human hair.
Specifically, cocaine and methamphetamine were significantly affected by the relaxer treatment.
Implications for Drug Testing
What does this mean for hair drug tests? If someone has used these drugs and then gets their hair chemically straightened, it could potentially lead to false-negative results in drug testing.
False-negative results mean that someone who has used drugs may test negative for them, which could have serious consequences in forensic or workplace drug testing scenarios.
A Word of Caution
It’s important to note that this study only looked at a single application of a relaxer, so more research is needed to fully understand the effects of repeated use over time.
Keep in mind that relying on hair relaxer as a sole method to pass a hair drug test is not guaranteed to work, and individual results may vary.
Be prepared for the possibility of a retest and exercise caution with drug use leading up to any potential future tests.
Understanding the Side Effects of DIY Hair Detox Methods
Many DIY methods for passing hair drug tests, found on sources like Reddit, can cause severe side effects.
These methods often damage hair and scalp significantly, and for women, this hair damage can be particularly devastating.
Here are some quotes from people who experienced the side effects of these methods:
“Wouldn’t wish that process on my worst enemy.”
“The relaxer really irritates your scalp after the Macujo.”
“Bleach makes scalp burn like hell, apparently, and cause hair/scalp damage.”
“Crazy scalp melting treatment.”
“So when I damaged my hair, I felt like my life was RUINED.”
“After my test, I decided to cut my hair because I wasn’t trynna look like Patchy the Pirate, so I got a bald fade.”
“I had dandruff and pieces of my scalp were falling out for like a week and a half after.”
A Safer Alternative
Considering the potential damage caused by these DIY methods, we recommend using drug test shampoos that are safe and proven to work without damaging hair and scalp.
These products provide a gentler and more effective approach to help you pass a hair drug test while keeping your hair and scalp healthy.
Safe and Effective Detox Shampoos to Pass a Hair Drug Test Without Damaging Your Hair
Old Style Aloe Clarifying Shampoo by Toxin Rid – The Most Effective Solution for Hair Drug Tests
Old Style Aloe Clarifying Shampoo by Toxin Rid is currently the most effective shampoo for passing a hair drug test. It’s guaranteed to work, making it the best option for moderate and chronic weed users. This deep-cleaning formula is gentle on the hair, removing toxins like THC without causing damage.
A Soothing and Nourishing Formula
Unlike some other products that can cause scalp irritation, Old Style Aloe Clarifying Shampoo is gentle and soothing. It contains aloe vera to prevent drying, as well as a wealth of other natural conditioners to keep your scalp hydrated, healthy, and happy.
Originally designed to remove hair contaminants, this shampoo has become known for its ability to eliminate drug toxins. It comes in a 5-ounce bottle, providing multiple washes. Best of all, it’s legal and has numerous positive customer reviews and success stories.
Combining with Ultra Clean
For the best results, it’s highly recommended that you use the Ultra Clean along with the Old Style Aloe Toxin Rid.
Price and Usage
Priced at $235.90, this shampoo may seem expensive, but it’s the only product we can truly recommend for guaranteed results. It can be used in Jerry G or Macujo detox methods.
To use, start 3-10 days in advance of your test. If you have less time, take multiple showers daily.
During each washing, lather the shampoo in your hair for 10 to 15 minutes. Ensure you use the shampoo 15 times before your test for optimal results.
We suggest the following washing routine:
- Apply regular shampoo
- Rinse
- Apply Old Style Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo (dime-sized portion)
- Soak
- Rinse
- Apply regular conditioner
Focus on the scalp, where toxins are found. This shampoo offers a reliable and effective solution for passing hair drug tests.
Zydot Ultra Clean Shampoo – The Affordable Option
Zydot Ultra Clean Shampoo is a more affordable option for those looking to pass a hair drug test.
However, it’s important to note that it may not be very effective for regular marijuana users. This product is best suited for light weed users.
Gentle on Hair and Scalp
This shampoo is gentle on both hair and scalp, ensuring that it won’t damage your hair or cause scalp irritation. It is a 3-step solution that includes:
- Shampoo: Removes external barriers to expose the inner hair
- Purifier: Penetrates deep within the hair shaft to dissolve and remove impurities
- Conditioner: Controls tangles, adds sheen, and improves manageability
A Complicated but Affordable Solution
One of the downsides to Zydot Ultra Clean Shampoo is that it can be somewhat complicated to use and may take up to 45 minutes to complete the process. However, it is priced at just $35.99, making it a more budget-friendly option. It works best when combined with other products.
Usage Guidelines
Zydot Ultra Clean Shampoo should be used on the day of the test, and its effects last for about 5 hours.
To use the product, follow these steps:
- Soak your hair thoroughly with water and use half of the shampoo. Massage thoroughly into the roots for at least ten minutes, then rinse.
- Apply all the purifier, ensuring it reaches the scalp. Comb your hair with the purifier and let it sit for about ten minutes before washing it out.
- Use the rest of the shampoo, massage thoroughly, and rinse it out.
- Apply the conditioner, leave it in for 3 minutes, and then rinse out.
- For the best results, repeat this process at least four times before your hair drug test.
While Zydot Ultra Clean Shampoo might not be the most powerful solution, it’s an affordable option for those with lighter drug usage.
Weighing Your Options for Passing a Hair Drug Test
In conclusion, you can take a risk and try the Jerry G method or any other home remedy to pass a hair drug test. However, it’s crucial to be mindful of the potential side effects.
Applying harsh substances like bleach, vinegar, and other chemicals to your hair may cause significant damage to both your hair and scalp.
If you’re not keen on experiencing your scalp falling out for a week and a half and would prefer a proven solution, consider using a product like Old Style Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo. Make an informed decision that best suits your needs and takes into account the possible consequences of each approach.