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
Copyright, The Eck Institute. Material is for educational purposes only.
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