Can Dyeing Hair Really Help Beat Alcohol Testing?

Can Dyeing Your Hair Help You Pass an Alcohol Test? The Truth Revealed

At AttoLife, we often encounter questions and misconceptions about alcohol testing, particularly when it comes to hair testing. One of the most common myths is that dyeing your hair can help you avoid detection in alcohol tests. While it may seem like a simple solution, the reality is a bit more complex. Let’s dive into the science behind hair alcohol testing and whether dyeing your hair can truly make a difference.

How Does Hair Alcohol Testing Work?

Hair alcohol testing is a widely used method for detecting alcohol consumption over an extended period. As per the recommendation of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) guidelines, the test primarily looks for specific markers like EtG (ethyl glucuronide) and FAEE (fatty acid ethyl esters) also known now as EtPa (Ethyl Palmitate) that are embedded within the hair shaft. When alcohol is consumed, these markers are incorporated into the hair as it grows, through the bloodstream and sebaceous glands. This allows hair strand testing to detect alcohol consumption long after the substance was ingested—typically covering a period of up to 3 to 6 months.

Hair alcohol testing is often used in family court, child care proceedings and court-approved hair strand tests to assess a person’s alcohol consumption history, making it a powerful tool in toxicology reports.

Is Hair Dye a Hack for Passing Alcohol Tests?

Some people believe that dyeing or bleaching their hair can help eliminate the alcohol markers embedded in the hair shaft. While bleaching and dyeing may alter the outer appearance of the hair, they don't always erase the embedded alcohol markers. These markers are incorporated deep within the keratin of the hair shaft. When it comes to EtG, this marker is more sensitive to hair cosmetic treatment. FAEE & EtPA alcohol markers in hair are more resistant to the alcohol cosmetic treatment. As such, if alcohol is suspected to be impacted by cosmetic treatment, it is recommended to test both markers.

What Impact Does Dyeing or Bleaching Have on Alcohol Testing?

The impact of dyeing or bleaching hair on alcohol testing depends on the type of hair product used. Generally, the rule is that the more abrasive the product, the greater its effect on the levels of EtG and FAEE/EtPa in hair. In ascending order, non-permanent dye, semi-permanent dye, permanent dye, and bleach have an increasingly significant effect on the alcohol markers in tested hair.

For individuals who frequently consume alcohol, the concentration of alcohol markers in the hair is typically less affected compared to those who drink occasionally. However, bleaching or dyeing hair may reduce marker concentrations, making it more challenging to detect low levels of alcohol consumption. Despite this, hair strand alcohol test results can still provide an accurate record of alcohol consumption patterns, particularly when cut-off levels are applied according to established testing guidelines.

Understanding the Limitations of Dyeing Hair to Beat Alcohol Testing
It’s important to recognize the limitations of hair testing for alcohol. While hair drug screening methods, such as hair follicle tests, can detect long-term drug and alcohol use, they do not correlate directly with the exact quantity of substance consumed. For example, two individuals could consume the same amount of alcohol yet produce slightly different concentrations of alcohol markers like EtG and FAEE/EtPa.

This variation arises from several factors, including differences in hair type, individual metabolism, and exposure to chemicals like dyes, lotions, sprays, and other cosmetic treatments. These factors influence the levels of alcohol markers in hair, leading to variability between individuals. Even with hair dye treatments, these tests are still capable of detecting repeated alcohol use or substance consumption, especially when toxicology reports are prepared.

The Role of Hair Strand Testing in Legal and Forensic Cases

In legal settings, such as family court and child care proceedings, hair strand alcohol testing is often used to determine alcohol consumption patterns. This is particularly relevant in custody or criminal cases. Whether conducting a hair alcohol test or a hair drug test in the UK, courts rely on the accuracy and reliability of these tests to assess an individual’s substance use history.

Court-approved hair strand tests provide trustworthy results that reflect an individual’s alcohol consumption habits over a defined period. Hair strand tests for alcohol in the UK are highly regarded for their ability to detect alcohol use over time, making them crucial in legal cases. Similarly, hair strand drug tests, such as those for cocaine, follow the same principles to deliver clear and dependable evidence of drug use.

The Real Impact of Dyeing Hair on Alcohol Testing

Hair cosmetic treatments, such as bleaching, dyeing, straightening, or perming, can influence the reliability of alcohol markers like EtG (ethyl glucuronide) and FAEE (fatty acid ethyl esters) in hair analysis. Here’s how these treatments affect each marker:

1. EtG (Ethyl Glucuronide):

• Sensitivity to Damage: EtG, a water-soluble marker, is highly sensitive to chemical treatments, which can degrade or wash out the marker. Bleaching, in particular, can significantly reduce or eliminate detectable levels of EtG in hair, potentially leading to false-negative results. For this reason, untreated or less chemically processed hair is preferred during hair strand alcohol tests in the UK to ensure reliable results. Extensive treatments may cause the test to underestimate alcohol consumption or fail to detect it altogether.

2. FAEE (Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters)/EtPa:

• Resistance to Damage: Unlike EtG, FAEE/EtPa is a lipid-soluble marker deposited in the hair. It is less susceptible to complete loss from cosmetic treatments but can still be partially reduced by treatments like bleaching or excessive heat. Additionally, FAEE levels can be influenced by external factors such as alcohol-containing hair products, complicating result interpretation when combined with cosmetic treatments.

 At AttoLife, we provide accurate and reliable hair alcohol testing alongside a range of other drug testing services, including hair drug testing and toxicology expert witness reports. If you have any questions or need further information about hair testing for alcohol or drug use, feel free to contact us for assistance.

 

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