THE ECK INSTITUTE BULLETIN

HAIR SAMPLING PROCEDURES

by Lawrence Wilson, MD

For accurate hair mineral analysis readings, the hair sampling procedure is most important. Here are the guidelines that I suggest:

1. Shampoo your hair the same day, or the day before sampling it. Ideally, shampoo it, let it dry, and take the sample right away.

Use a plain, simple shampoo, if possible. Do not add conditioner, if possible, and definitely do not place any other products on the hair after washing it on the day you will take the sample. AVOID sending dirty, sweaty or greasy hair.

2. Cut the sample from anywhere on the head. It does not matter where on the head you cut it. To avoid bald spots, cut several small samples from different areas on the head and combine them.

If you cannot use head hair, the second best is beard hair for men. You can also use pubic hair, although it is not quite as accurate. Avoid combining hair from different parts of the body in one hair envelope.

3. Cut the samples as close to the scalp as possible.

4. Set the samples down, and cut off any hair that is more than about 1 inch, or about 2 centimeters long. Shorter hair is excellent, and the shorter the better, in fact.

AVOID SENDING HAIR THAT IS LONGER THAN 1 TO 1.5 INCHES LONG. Also avoid sending in hair that is cut from the ends of long hair. Cut the sample from close to the scalp.

If you shave your head, then cut with an electric razor what you can, save it 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 weigh hair.

5. Place the hair sample in a the small white envelope, or if you do not have one, place it in a clean, paper envelope. AVOID SENDING HAIR IN PLASTIC BAGS OR IN ALUMINUM FOIL.

6. Send enough hair. The lab requires 125 mg of hair. If you have a paper scale, it must tip for you to have enough. Otherwise, please completely fill a tablespoon with hair.

7. IF YOUR HOME HAS A WATER SOFTENER, before sampling hair you must shampoo it twice with either unsoftened tap water, or preferably reverse osmosis water from the supermarket.

8. Tints and dyes. These do not affect the test because they do not contain any minerals. Therefore, you may sample dyed hair. Ideally, take a hair sample before dying your hair.

Ideally do not dye your hair as all hair dyes contain some chemicals. If you want to dye your hair, use only a natural hair dye.

9. Permanents or bleach treated hair. These treatments alter the structure of the hair somewhat. Sample the hair before a treatment, or wash the hair five times after a bleach or permanent treatment before sampling the hair.

10. Please print your name and age on the hair sampling envelope.

OTHER

AVOID SELSUN BLUE SHAMPOO. This contains a toxic form of selenium. A better dandruff shampoo, if needed, is Head N’ Shoulders.

HAIR SALONS. If hair will be sampled by your hair stylist, make sure to give the stylist these instructions. Many stylists cut the ends of the hair, which is incorrect and will not give accurate results.

OTHER PROCEDURES

1. The General Information Sheet. Please fill this out completely. Please list actual foods at all meals, as well as your beverages, including the type of water you drink and how much.

2. The Symptom Checklist. Check only current symptoms. Do not include symptoms or illnesses from years ago or even months ago if they are not current.

3. Children’s Hair Analyses. When sending children's hair samples, make sure you include the weight and height of your child. This is the only way it is possible to design a supplement program appropriate for a child.

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