Published online 2023 May 26.

Dr. Jeffrey Wilson’s Guide on How to Successfully Pass a Hair Follicle Test

Edward Devries (ED): Good day, readers. Today, we delve into the perplexing world of drug testing, specifically focusing on hair drug tests. In this arena, we are joined by an expert, Dr. Jeffrey Wilson.

With a Ph.D. in Toxicology from Stanford and a postdoctoral fellowship in Occupational Health at Harvard under his belt, his extensive knowledge and experience on the subject are undeniable.

His work at the NIH and OSHA, and his groundbreaking research in drug testing protocols, particularly for marijuana, provide us with an invaluable perspective on this issue. Welcome, Dr. Wilson.

Is it possible to pass a hair drug test after consuming drugs?

ED: First and foremost, Dr. Wilson, I want to address the elephant in the room: Is it possible to pass a hair drug test after consuming drugs, specifically marijuana?

Dr. Jeffrey Wilson (JW): Well, Edward, hair drug testing is indeed one of the most challenging tests to pass for drug users. The reason being that it can detect drug usage from up to 90 days prior, or in the case of marijuana, sometimes even longer.

I want our readers to understand that this timeframe isn’t arbitrary but is due to the way drugs metabolize and integrate into hair follicles.

JW: As for passing the test, I’m aware of certain methods that are really effective to eliminate these drug metabolites from the hair, thus allowing a user to pass the test. However, it’s crucial to approach these methods with caution. Some can be incredibly harsh, potentially causing significant damage to both the hair and scalp.

ED: Fascinating insight, Dr. Wilson. Can you explain why marijuana, in particular, is detected in hair for a longer duration than other drugs?

JW: Excellent question, Edward. When you smoke marijuana, its main psychoactive compound, THC, enters your bloodstream. A portion of this THC ends up in the hair follicles, eventually becoming part of the hair’s cortex as it grows. This process takes about seven days, which means if an occasional smoker quits for a week, their newly grown hair will be clean.

JW: However, this isn’t the case for heavy smokers. The majority of THC is stored in body fat cells and is gradually released into the blood over time.

So, even when you cease smoking, the remaining THC in your fat cells will continue to be released into your blood and subsequently deposited into your growing hair. This slow release of THC can occur even 90 days after you’ve stopped smoking, making marijuana detection in hair notably persistent.

Why not just shave the hair off?

ED: That does indeed sound problematic. Dr. Wilson, earlier you mentioned there are methods for removing drug metabolites from the hair. However, some may wonder: why not just shave the hair off entirely and ask for a urine drug test? Or perhaps even resort to wearing a wig?

JW: Well, Edward, there are indeed a few strategies that don’t work, and it’s essential to debunk these misconceptions.

JW: First, shaving your head isn’t an effective workaround. Drug test administrators can take hair samples from any part of your body. If you opt to shave all your body hair, it’s likely to raise suspicion. In a pre-employment context, this could result in rejection, or at best, a probationary period while they wait for your hair to grow back.

JW: Wearing a wig is another method that is often wrongly assumed to work. Hair sample collectors are trained professionals and will readily identify a wig either from its synthetic nature or differing hair style.

JW: Abstaining from marijuana won’t remove it from your hair either. THC is already deposited in your hair, and abstaining doesn’t affect this. Worse still, THC in your body fat cells can still be released into the blood and deposited into your hair, even if you abstain. Unless you stop consuming marijuana entirely for at least 120 days, abstaining won’t help you much.

JW: Lastly, THC detox pills and drinks cannot remove THC from hair. They can aid in expelling THC from urine and blood, but they cannot penetrate the hair and destroy THC metabolites.

What to do to pass a hair drug test

ED: With those methods debunked, then, how can drug metabolites actually be removed from the hair to pass a drug test?

JW: To comprehend the effective methods, we need to understand the fundamental principle of how to remove drug metabolites from hair.

The only way to pass a hair follicle drug test is to extract these metabolites from the hair cortex. The cortex, or inner part of the hair, is protected by an outer layer known as the cuticle.

To successfully remove metabolites, the process involves opening the hair cuticle, dissolving the drug residues within the hair cortex, washing these dissolved residues out, and then closing the hair cuticle to prevent damage.

ED: This process you’re describing, how is it executed?

The Macujo method

JW: The most effective way I’ve come across in my research is the Macujo method. You might come across different versions on forums like Reddit, but they all essentially follow the same principle using the same ingredients.

ED: For our readers’ clarity, could you explain the Macujo method?

JW: Of course. The Macujo method involves several steps.

JW: Firstly, cease any toxin consumption. That’s an absolute must.

JW: The second step is to rinse your hair with warm water, removing the outer layer of oil and dead cells. Following this, massage vinegar into your hair. You might experience a slight sting on your scalp due to the vinegar’s acidity, but this is normal.

JW: Next, massage a product called Clean and Clear into your hair and scalp. It will mix with the vinegar, causing a little more stinging. Once done, put on a shower cap and wait an hour, allowing the vinegar and Clean and Clear to penetrate your hair.

JW: Following this waiting period, you’ll need to thoroughly rinse out the vinegar and Clean and Clear mixture.

JW: The next unusual step involves washing your hair with Tide laundry detergent. Though it feels odd, the consistency is similar to regular shampoo. However, be very careful to avoid letting the detergent get into your eyes as it can be harmful. You might consider wearing goggles for extra safety. Rinse out the detergent completely once you’ve scrubbed thoroughly.

JW: Finally, wash your hair with a product called Zydot Ultra Clean. This is a straightforward step – just wash normally. It’s important to mention that this method can be harsh on your hair and scalp, so it’s advisable to use a conditioner afterwards.

JW: Each ingredient has a crucial role to play in this process. Vinegar removes the protective layer from the hair, and Clean and Clear is used to open the hair cuticles for the subsequent ingredients.

The Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo, Tide laundry detergent, and Zydot Ultra Clean all work together to dissolve and remove drug metabolites from the hair cortex and medulla. The Zydot Ultra Clean, specifically, also serves to restore the hair’s structure.

Is Macujo method safe?

ED: Applying vinegar and Tide laundry detergent to hair sounds quite harsh, even borderline unconventional.

JW: You’re correct, Edward. The Macujo method can potentially cause harm to the hair and scalp if not executed properly. It might even lead to scalp burns. However, if you meticulously follow the instructions and use the correct quantities of each ingredient, the method is generally safe.

Macujo method alternative

ED: The methods you’ve described seem quite involved. Are there simpler alternatives?

JW: The Macujo method, while effective, can indeed seem a bit daunting to some. There is a simpler alternative that primarily uses the Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo.

You should use it every day before your test, typically for 3-10 days in advance.

If you’re pressed for time, consider taking multiple showers a day, leaving the shampoo lathered in your hair for 10 to 15 minutes each time.

For optimal results, the shampoo should be used at least 15 times before your test.

Focus especially on the scalp, where toxins are most prevalent, and aim to remove all the older layers of oil. On the day of the test, use Zydot Ultra Clean.

JW: This method is gentler on your hair and scalp while remaining equally effective. However, it does require multiple applications.

ED: It seems Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo and Zydot Ultra Clean are crucial components of these methods. Are they mandatory for success?

JW: In the studies we conducted, these two shampoos proved to be the most effective in removing drug metabolites from hair. While you can skip them, it’s important to note that the efficacy of the method will likely decrease significantly without them.

ED: Where can one purchase these shampoos?

JW: They are available on the Test Clear website. Although the cost might seem relatively high, the price becomes more justifiable when considering the significance of passing a drug test.

Get Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo

Using hair relaxer

ED: Could one possibly pass a hair drug test using a hair relaxer?

JW: There’s indeed a study conducted in 2015 that demonstrated the impact of hair relaxers on the stability of drug metabolites in hair.

JW: The chemical straightening process, commonly referred to as a relaxer, is frequently used by African American women to achieve straighter hair. This study examined how relaxers influence the stability of drugs of abuse present in the hair.

JW: The research concluded that the strong alkaline nature of relaxer treatments does affect the stability of drugs within human hair. Specifically, they found that substances like cocaine and methamphetamine were considerably affected by the relaxer treatment.

JW: This suggests that someone who has consumed these substances and then had their hair chemically straightened could potentially receive false-negative results on a drug test. False-negative results indicate that a person who has used drugs might test negative for them, which could have serious implications in forensic or workplace drug testing scenarios.

JW: It’s crucial to mention that this study only examined the effects of a single application of a relaxer. Therefore, more research is needed to fully understand the potential impacts of repeated use over time.

JW: So, while a hair relaxer could theoretically aid in passing a drug test, it shouldn’t be relied upon without considering other proven methods. Furthermore, this approach would likely have less impact on the detection of marijuana use, as THC metabolites are more resilient to chemical alteration.

Reddit methods to pass a hair drug test

ED: Dr. Wilson, you mentioned that there are alternative methods discussed online that aim to help pass a hair drug test. Could you elaborate on this?

JW: Certainly, Edward. There’s an approach that’s been gaining attention online known as the ‘saucymesser Method.’ It consists of several steps, involving household items. I’ll break it down for our readers:

Firstly, it recommends shaving the hair on your legs, chest, armpits, and groin. This is to ensure that you only need to apply the method to your scalp. Afterward, you wet your hair with warm water, preferably over the kitchen or bathroom sink.

You then massage 1-2 cups of vinegar into your scalp for a few minutes, followed by 1-2 oz of Clean and Clear Astringent. Once this mixture is well worked into your scalp, you place a shower cap on your head and let the mixture sit for about an hour.

The next steps involve a shower, using baking soda mixed with a small amount of shampoo. It’s suggested to mix it well and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Following this, Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent is applied to the hair, massaged in thoroughly, and rinsed out.

Finally, another round of baking soda is applied to the hair. The idea here is that baking soda not only acts as a cleanser but also helps to heal the scalp and keep the hair soft.

ED: And how does this method compare to the Macujo Method you’ve discussed earlier?

JW: Well, Edward, it’s clear that there are similarities between the two methods. Both involve a sequence of washing and rinsing with different substances aimed at opening up the hair shaft and washing away the metabolites.

However, the saucymesser Method lacks the use of specialized detoxification shampoos that are crucial in the Macujo Method. These shampoos, namely the Aloe Toxin Rid and Zydot Ultra Clean, are designed to more effectively remove drug metabolites from the hair cortex. Consequently, I believe the saucymesser Method may be less effective than the Macujo Method due to this omission.

ED: Dr. Wilson, there seems to be yet another hair detox method that’s been circulating on Reddit. Can you walk us through it?

JW: Of course, Edward. The procedure involves the following steps:

Firstly, you’ll need to purchase several materials, including baking soda, Clean & Clear acne wash (the pink one with 3% salicylic acid), vinegar, Tide detergent, shower caps, Garnier Hair Reset (both charcoal and aloe versions), Vaseline, propylene glycol, and Zydot or a similar hair detox product.

Next, you would apply Vaseline on your forehead, behind your ears, and the back of your neck to protect your skin from chemical burns. Then, the procedure suggests a variant of the Macujo method, followed by a reverse Macujo method, with specific washing, applying, and rinsing cycles.

Interestingly, this Reddit method also suggests the optional use of a no-lye hair relaxer. The idea here is that it can open up hair cuticles even more and release more drug metabolites.

Finally, on the day of the test, it recommends using a cleansing shampoo, like High Voltage, following the instructions and adding propylene glycol during the second step. You should then arrive at the testing facility 30 minutes after completing the cleansing shampoo step.

ED: It sounds quite intricate. How would you compare this Reddit method to the Macujo Method?

JW: This method indeed shares a similarity with the Macujo Method, particularly in its focus on using acidic and basic solutions to open up the hair cuticles. However, the combination and sequencing of ingredients seem much more complex, and honestly, I see some steps as potentially redundant.

The inclusion of hair relaxer is intriguing, although we should remember that its effectiveness is not thoroughly researched in this context. It also raises questions about hair damage and scalp health, which should be of concern.

The greatest deviation I see is the recommendation of multiple products, including Garnier Hair Reset and High Voltage shampoo, which are not specifically designed to address the challenge of drug metabolites in hair. This could impact the overall effectiveness compared to the more targeted solutions used in the Macujo Method.

Conclusion

ED: So, Dr. Wilson, if we are to summarize our discussion today, what would you recommend to our readers?

JW: For those facing a hair drug test, I would recommend the Macujo Method, as it’s been discussed widely and seems to have a reasonable track record of success. It’s crucial to use Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo and Zydot Ultra Clean in this process, as these products have been specifically designed to aid in detoxification.

Another method worth considering involves using just the Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo and Zydot Ultra Clean multiple times over several days. While this approach requires more frequent application, it appears to be less damaging to the hair and scalp.

Get Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo