How do I prepare my hair for an analysis?

Make sure your hair has been washed, preferably with a mild soap or with shampoo, at least 4 hours (but no longer than 24 hours) before cutting the sample. So, you would wash your hair and wait 4 to 24 hours before sampling it. Avoid using conditioners or rinses for best results. Do not place other products on your hair such as hair cream, hair spray, gel or others until after you have cut the hair sample. Avoid any activity that will cause you to sweat excessively before cutting your hair sample. Hair needs to be dry when sampling, so avoid putting wet hair in hats or other covers, ponytails or any other style that will prevent the hair from drying by the time the sample is taken.

IF YOU HAVE A WATER SOFTENER: It is very important that you wash your hair twice with spring water or regular, unsoftened tap water before cutting your hair sample. This does not have to be twice in the same day but needs to be two times in a row. Do not allow the softened water to get on your hair between, during or after the two washings. Once you have cut the hair sample, you may return to using your regular softened water. We have you do this because softened water contains sodium and sometimes potassium which will alter the analysis readings of those minerals.