Hair Follicle Drug Testing for Employers | HealthCARE Express
Hair Follicle Drug Testing for Employers: What It Is and How It Works
If your drug testing program only uses urine screens, there's a detection window you may not be accounting for. Hair follicle drug testing extends that window significantly — and HealthCARE Express offers it as a walk-in occupational medicine service at locations across Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. No appointment needed, and results go directly to you.
What Is Hair Follicle Drug Testing?
Hair follicle drug testing — also called hair drug testing — screens for substance use by analyzing a small sample of hair, typically collected from the back of the head. Unlike urine testing, which detects recent use, hair testing can identify drug use going back up to 90 days. That longer detection period makes it a valuable tool for employers who need a more comprehensive picture of an employee's history before hiring, during random testing programs, or as part of post-incident investigation.
The test screens for a standard panel of substances, including marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP). Results are processed by a certified laboratory and delivered directly to the employer — not the employee.
How the Process Works at HealthCARE Express
The process is straightforward and handled entirely by our trained occupational medicine team. Here's what to expect when you send an employee in:
- The employee walks in — no appointment required.
- A small hair sample (approximately 1.5 inches, about 100 strands) is collected from the back of the scalp.
- The sample is sent to a certified laboratory for analysis.
- Results are sent directly to your organization — typically within 2 to 3 business days.
The visit itself takes only a few minutes. There's no preparation required on the employee's part and no disruption beyond a brief clinic stop.
Hair follicle testing gives employers a much wider detection window than a standard urine screen — it's one of the most accurate options available for pre-employment and random testing programs.
— Dr. Spencer Reynolds, HealthCARE Express Occupational Medicine
Hair Testing vs. Urine Testing: Understanding the Difference
Both hair and urine testing have a place in a well-rounded employer drug testing program — they serve different purposes. Here's how they compare:
Urine testing is fast, widely used, and detects recent drug use — typically within the past 1 to 5 days for most substances. It's the standard for DOT-regulated testing and post-accident screening, where recency is what matters.
Hair testing is better suited for pre-employment screening and random programs where you want a longer historical window. Because hair grows approximately half an inch per month, a 1.5-inch sample covers roughly the past 90 days. It's harder to adulterate than a urine sample, and it provides documentation of patterns rather than a single moment.
Many employers in industries across Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana use both — urine for time-sensitive situations, hair for pre-hire decisions or expanded random programs.
Who Should Consider Hair Follicle Testing?
Hair testing is a strong fit for employers in safety-sensitive industries or those who want a more thorough pre-employment screening process. It's commonly used by:
- Transportation and logistics companies with DOT and non-DOT employees
- Construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing employers with safety-sensitive roles
- Healthcare organizations and employers with zero-tolerance drug policies
- Any employer looking to add a layer of documentation to their pre-employment screening process
If you're not sure whether hair testing is the right fit for your program, our occupational medicine team can walk you through your options.
How to Set Up Drug Testing Through HealthCARE Express
Getting started is simple. HealthCARE Express works directly with employers to set up occupational medicine accounts, which makes the process of sending employees in for drug testing — hair or urine — as smooth as possible. Once your account is established, you can send employees to any HealthCARE Express location without the paperwork friction of a first-time visit.
We serve employers across our markets in Texarkana, Shreveport, Fort Smith, and throughout the region. Walk-ins are always welcome — your employees don't need an appointment, and you don't need to call ahead.
Ready to add hair follicle testing to your program? Connect with our occupational medicine team today (903) 791-8575 we'll help you find the right testing mix for your workforce.
