DON’T - use a water softener.  Using water that has been softened will cause false elevations of sodium, magnesium, and/or potassium. The test results will be skewed.  If you have softened water, you must shampoo it 3-4 times with either spring water or distilled water & plain shampoo – like baby shampoo. This can be done in one day or over a period of 2 days.  I know this might not be convenient, but this is a step that cannot be skipped! 

DON’T - use Epsom salt baths prior to cutting your hair sample.  Epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate and submerging the hair prior in an Epsom salt bath will drastically raise the magnesium falsely in your hair test.  Avoid any Epsom salt baths for 1 week prior to cutting a hair sample.  

DON’T - use conditioner on your hair after washing it on the day you will take your hair sample.  No styling products, no leave-in conditioners.  

DON’T - use underarm, leg, chest, or beard hair.  However, you can use pubic hair or fingernails/toenails if head hair is not available. Pubic hair will show a higher phosphorus level.  Pubic hair has also been on the body longer than scalp hair.  Fingernails and toenails may be combined together but it is important that they be clipped all on the same day.  Place the combined amount on the scale to make sure you are submitting enough by weight.   Results from your hair test will provide information about your mineral status from a longer period of time, possibly 6 months or more when using pubic hair or fingernails/toenails.   Scalp hair is best and will give you more accurate levels of your current minerals because the hair has just grown out from the scalp.    

DON’T - combine hair from different parts of the body in one hair envelope.  

DON’T – mix different types of samples.  You cannot mix nails with a hair sample or scalp hair with pubic hair.  Only toenails & fingernails can be combined being that they are the same matter.  

DON’T – please do not pull hair from the roots of your head.  This is not necessary. The lab does not need the hair follicle and they are not able to use it for testing.  

DON’T - use hair from hairbrushes or combs.  This is often older hair and there is no definite way to tell what end came from the scalp.   

DON’T – store or send hair in plastic bags or aluminum foil.  No paper clips or hair clips.  

DON’T –  Dreadlocks are not acceptable for hair testing. The hair must be clean and taken right from the scalp.  If nape hair is available, it must be washed several times to remove buildup, debris, sweat, and styling product.  If this is not done, the sample will be skewed and test results not accurate.  Consider sending pubic hair or finger/toenail sample instead. 

DON’T – Do not participate in the “no poo” method (not washing hair with shampoo) around the time of hair testing.  Clays, ash, baking soda, and other ways of doing the “no poo” method of caring for your hair is not conducive to hair testing.  The items used in this method of hair care can contaminate the hair sample and lead to inaccurate test results.  If you are currently using this method, you need to begin using shampoo at least 2 weeks before collecting your hair sample.  Be sure to wash your hair several times during these 2 weeks to remove all clay and other contaminants.