THE ECK INSTITUTE BULLETIN

HAIR SAMPLING, HAIR PRODUCTS

AND OTHER PROCEDURES

HAIR SAMPLING

* Please DO NOT send samples of hair to the laboratory that are dirty, sweaty or greasy. Ask the person to wash the hair before sampling. Ideally, hair should be washed within 48 hours of sampling.

* The sample should be cut from as close to the scalp as possible and should be a maximum of 1.5 inches long. Do not not send long hair, especially not the ends of long hair. Long hair or hair cut from the ends of long hair will give old and less accurate readings.

* Please send enough hair. The paper scale must tilt to provide enough hair. Those who do not like their hair cut will be happy to know a new mass spectrometer will come on-line in the next few months that requires less hair..

* DO NOT place hair samples in plastic baggies, tin foil, or stapled to the scale or to the envelope. Use the official envelopes for hair samples. Call the laboratory to obtain more of these. If you do not have one, use a clean, small paper envelope.

* DO NOT mix types of hair such as pubic hair, beard hair and head hair in the same envelope. We strongly recommend using only head hair. Second best is beard or body hair. Pubic hair will not give as accurate readings.

HAIR PRODUCTS

* If possible, sample hair that has no hair products added to it. If possible::

- sample hair before having a permanent, bleach or dye treatment.

- sample hair before putting hair spray, hair cream or lotion on the hair.

When this is not possible, here are cautions regarding hair products to assure the accuracy of your test.

* Tints and dyes. Most of these do not affect the test because they do not contain any minerals. Therefore, one may cut the sample at any time. It would be best to wash the hair once or twice after applying tint or dye.

A few dyes contain lead, which will show up as an elevated lead reading. Lead-containing dyes should never be used. We recommend using only natural hair dyes, as the others contain toxic chemicals that are absorbed into the body.

* Permanents or Bleach Treatments. These can alter the structure of the hair. Sample the hair before a treatment or wash the hair five times after a bleach or permanent treatment before sampling the hair.

* Shampoos, Rinses and Conditioners. Most do not contain metals and will not affect the test. It is not necessary to wash with any special shampoo before sampling hair. However, washing with just soap may leave a film on the hair.

Selsun Blue Shampoo contains selenium and significant absorption of selenium may occur with its use. It should be used at most twice a week. Head and Shoulders Shampoo contains zinc. It should be used at most three times a week.

* Other Hair Products. Sample before applying hair creams, hair spray and other products whenever possible. If one needs to take a sample, try to find a clean area. Most of these products do not contain metals, but may alter the weight of the sample.

* Hair Salons. If hair will be sampled by one's hair stylist, make sure to tell the stylist to cut the hair close to the scalp, cut off and throw away the ends of the hair if they are over 1.5 inches long, take several small samples from different areas and combine them to form the sample. A lot of hair stylists do not like to do this, and will not cut the sample correctly unless reminded.

OTHER PROCEDURES

* The Symptom Checklist. Check only current symptoms. Do not include symptoms or illnesses from years ago.

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

The Eck Institute Bulletin

Volume 20 January 2004 Number 1

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