How to Cut Hair for the Global Nutritional Healing Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Program
Ready to submit a hair sample for your hair tissue mineral analysis?
Please follow the instructions below, so we get the most accurate representation of the minerals in your hair swatch.
1. Start With Clean, Dry Hair
Cut the sample between four and 24 hours after washing. For best-quality results, the sample should not be dyed, bleached, or permed. If possible, retest samples should be taken from the same area as the original.
2. Location, Location
Head hair taken from the nape (see illustration) provides the best sample, as hair growth here is relatively steady and generally yields consistent results.
Alternatively, you can take axillary (underarm) hair, pubic hair, or other body hair. While the growth pattern in these areas can be sporadic and variable, it produces adequate results. Note: Samples from the head and other body parts should not be mixed.
3. Equipment Needed
All you need are two things: a standard rat-tailed comb and a pair of stainless-steel scissors. Those with long hair may want to use a hairpin or clip. If you have short hair and want to leave your hairstyle as undisturbed as possible, thinning shears can be used.
4. How to Cut a Sample
Comb and lift a section of hair at the nape. Either pin or clip the section or have someone hold it up out of the way. Separate a smaller section (as shown in Photo A) and snip the hair as close to the scalp as possible. For short hair (an inch-and-a-half in length or less), use the entire sample. For hair over an inch-and-a-half long, cut off and use an inch to an inch-and-a-half of the hair closest to the scalp (the root end, as shown in Photo B). Discard the rest.
5. Prepping the Hair
Set each sample down on a desk or table. Measure about 1 inch or 2 centimeters from the cut end near the scalp. Cut off and discard any hair that is more than about 1 inch or about 2 centimeters long from the scalp end. Shorter hair is excellent, and the shorter the better, in fact.
Note: Avoid sending hair that is longer than 1 to 1.5 inches long. Also do not send hair cut from the ends of long hair. It will skew the results.
If you shave your head, cut hair with a clean electric razor. Save the clippings in a paper envelope and then razor cut it again in a week or so, and repeat perhaps a few times until you fill a tablespoon with hair or tip the scale if you have a paper scale to weight hair.
6. Sending Hair Sample
The lab requires 125 mg of hair. You can measure two ways, by scale or by completely filling a tablespoon with hair. If you would like a paper scale, email us and we can send one to you.
After confirming amount, place the hair sample in an envelope and write your name, age and gender on it. Your practitioner of choice will give you further instruction on where to send the sample.
Note: Avoid sending hair in plastic bags or aluminum foil, paper is best.
Here is a video on how to use: How to Use Hair Sampling Scale.
Other Things To Note
TINTS AND DYES.
These rarely affect the test because they do not contain any minerals. Therefore, you may sample dyed hair.
PERMANENTS OR BLEACHED HAIR.
These treatments somewhat alter the structure of the hair. Sample the hair before a treatment or wash the hair for at least a few weeks before sampling the hair.
IF YOUR HOME HAS A WATER SOFTENER.
Before sampling hair you must shampoo it four times with unsoftened tap water or reverse osmosis water from the supermarket.
You’ve Sent in Your Hair Sample, Now What?
You’ll receive a packet from us in two to three weeks, and your practitioner will call you with your results.
Interested in learning even MORE about the world of hair tissue mineral analysis? Check out our courses!