What is Hair Analysis?
Hair Analysis, also known as hair testing is a diagnostic method that examines a hair sample to detect the presence of specific substances, assess minteral and nutrient levels or identify exposure to toxins.
Applications of Hair Testing:
Nutritional Analysis:
- Measures levels of essential minterals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron
- Detects imbalances, deficiencies or toxic elements like mercury, lead or arsenic
- Used in holistic and functional medicine to address health concerns like fatigue, hair loss ror immune issues
Hormone and Stress Testing:
- Measures cortisol levels to assess chronic stress or adrenal function
- Some tests evaluate sex hormones (e.g estrogen, testosterone) or thyroid function through hair samples
Environmental Exposure:
- Detects exposure to heavy metals, pesticides or other environmental toxins
How Hair Testing Works:
Sample Collection:
- A small hair sample (typically 1.5-3 inches) is cut close to the scalp
- Hair from the head is preferred but body hair can be used if necessary
Laboratory Analysis:
- The sample is washed to remove external contaminants
- Advanced techniques like mass spectrometry or atomic absorption spectroscopy analyse the hairs composition
Interpretation of Results:
- Results show the presence and levels of substances or nutrients, reflecting the body’s exposure or status over weeks or months (depending on hair growth rates)
Advantages of Hair Testing:
Long Detection Window:
- Provides insights into long-term exposure or usage patterns, unlike blood or urine tests which show more recent activity
Non-Invasive:
- Simple and painless sample collection
Hair Testing for nutritional deficiences and toxic exposure is becoming increasingly popular in holistic health. It provides insights into conditions like:
- Fatigue or low energy
- Hair thinning or loss
- Chronic stress or adrenal dysfunction
- Suspected heavy metal toxicity