Hair analysis is the chemical analysis of a hair sample.

Use in alternative medicine

Hair analysis is used in some branches of alternative medicine as a method of diagnosis. The hair is analyzed, and from the results advocates claim that they can diagnose mineral deficiencies and heavy metal poisoning by looking a the levels of chemicals in the hair sample. Test have shown that levels of heavy metal in the body may not be reflected by the levels in the hair[1]. When the same sample are sent to different labourites offering the service results differ from laboratory to laboratory [2]. Finally there is the problem that hair will be up to two weeks old meaning that the data obtained may not reflect the current state of the person the hair was taken from.

References

[1]Trace element concentrations in blood and hair of young apprentices of a technical-professional school. Teresa M et al http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9372630&dopt=Abstract

[2] Assessment of commercial laboratories performing hair mineral analysis. Seidel S et alhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11150111&dopt=Abstract