Even if marijuana is already legal in your state, you can still get fired for smoking weed because tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is still part of the list of banned substances for a lot of companies in the US. Marijuana is also part of the list of drugs identifiable by the hair drug test and THC remains in your hair for a long time.
To beat the hair drug test, you need to remove any traces of THC in your hair. The good news is that there two home remedies that can help you beat your next hair drug test. Discover them below.
How THC Taints Your Hair
Before I reveal the two methods of removing THC from your hair, let’s discuss how THC gets into your hair. You need to know this information so you’ll understand what’s going to happen when you smoke marijuana and what labs are actually trying to find out.
Actually, the hair drug test doesn’t test for the existence of THC. Instead, labs are searching for a minuscule concentration of THC-COOH metabolite in your hair sample. THC-COOH is a byproduct of THC when it gets broken down in your body.
Most of the THC-COOH settles onto the hair shaft via your sweat glands while some of it enters through your bloodstream into the hair follicle. A lot of people debate whether it’s just one or the other, but one thing’s for sure: there are a lot of ways that THC and THC-COOH can taint your hair.
Cannabinoids can get into your hair via sebum, contaminated fingers, contaminated surfaces, and side-stream smoke. Note that THC can taint your hair through second-hand smoking and contamination, but the metabolite or byproduct (THC-COOH) can only be transferred to your hair after first passage through your blood.
If THC-COOH enters your bloodstream, then it manifests that you use a THC product. That’s why labs look for the byproduct and not the THC. Shampoos and strong chemicals can eliminate a portion of THC-COOH on your hair.
Enough with science. Let’s get started!
Two Do-It-Yourself Home Remedies To Clean Hair
Two home remedies can help you remove any THC byproducts in your hair- the Jerry G method and the Macujo method. Both methods are easy but they use harsh chemicals that might damage your hair.
As predicted, drug test labs say they don’t work, but a lot of people swear that these two home remedies are effective. It’s all up to you who to trust.
The Jerry G Method
This home remedy is created by an online user named “Jerry-G” in 2008. He started a thread sharing a new bleach-and-clean method to beat the hair drug test and claimed it to be 90% effective. According to him, the method works because the bleaching makes it easier to clean the byproducts with the hair cuticles opened up.
Since his original post in his thread, a lot of people have shared their success stories and even claim that this method is one of the effective ways to remove THC byproducts from your hair. However, constant bleaching may damage your hair—this is a risk many people are willing to take just to pass that hair drug test.
What You’ll Need
- Peroxide Bleach
- SnynergyDetox Toxin Wash Shampoo
- Zydot Shampoo
- Hair Dye
- Baking Soda
Step-By-Step Instructions
The procedure is easy: bleach and re-dye your hair twice. Keep in mind that your hair will get destroyed when bleached constantly so I recommend that you cut your hair after the process.
Do the first bleach-and-dye on the day you stop using marijuana. If you don’t know how to use a peroxide properly, ask a hairdresser or a friend.
Perform the second bleach-and-dye at least ten days after your last use. You can also do it as close to the day of the test as possible.
On the day of the test, make a paste of baking soda and water. Massage the mixture into your hair then follow with a full Toxin Wash treatment and Zydot treatment. You may repeat this step several times.
The Macujo Method
The Macujo method was first mentioned on Marijuana.com in the early years of 2000. In 2007, its popularity increased when an online user named “Growman” shared his success on the method. Until now, the Macujo/Growman is often discussed on forums and social media networks when it comes to the topic of THC home remedies.
The Macujo method is effective for a lot of people but it may be difficult on your hair and scalp. Many people prefer the Macujo method because it doesn’t damage your hair as badly as the Jerry G method.
What You’ll Need
Aloe Toxin Rid Shampoo (old formula)
TIP: Purchase the old formula at TestClear.com. Don’t buy it on Amazon or anywhere else because they only offer the new formula, which is ineffective.
- Salicylic Acid Shampoo
- Liquid Laundry detergent
- Vinegar
- Shower caps
- Goggles
Step-By-Step Instructions
Perform this cleaning process at least five times in the span of three days before your hair drug test. Use lots of warm water and find a deep sink to rinse your hair thoroughly.
With warm water, wet your hair fully.
Pour vinegar on your head and massage into your hair. Keep it away from your eyes because it will surely burn like crazy.
Get the goggles and put it on. Pour a dollop of salicylic shampoo into your hand and massage it into your hair. You might feel a little burning on your scalp. Wipe all exposed skin to remove any traces of the shampoo.
Wear a shower cap to let the shampoo sit for half an hour. Prepare a wet towel to wipe any drips of salicylic shampoo out of the shower cap.
After 30 minutes, take the shower cap off and rinse your hair thoroughly.
Wash and rinse hair with Aloe Rid shampoo. Do it twice.
Put a minute amount of liquid laundry detergent into your hair to wash everything out. Rinse with warm water and keep doing it until hair is squeaky clean.
TIP: After doing this procedure, wait for at least 30 minutes and use a conditioner to replenish all lost essential oils on your hair.
What Are Other Effective THC Detox Products?
For best results, you can use other THC detox products together with the Macujo method or Jerry G method. Such products include shampoos, supplements, and drinks.
Based on my research online, here are three products that seem to work for the hair drug test.
Detox Shampoos
Not all detox shampoos available on the market are effective in removing THC byproducts from your hair. Others only carry a different label and aren’t any different than regular shampoos while some detox shampoos may seem to work for a lot of marijuana users.
The most popular THC detox shampoo is the old formula of Aloe Rid. It’s very expensive but many can vouch for its effectiveness. Other detox shampoos that are highly praised by customers are:
- Zydot Ultra Clean
- Clear Choice Shampoo
- Sarken Nutrition Stat Hair Detox Shampoo
Detox Drinks
Detox drinks are famous with marijuana users. There are many people online who claim that a detox drink helped them pass a drug test. Almost all claims involved urine or saliva tests.
In regards to hair drug test, there’s no direct proof that detox drinks helped someone pass it. There are many people who add detox drinks on their Macujo or Jerry G method. I haven’t found anyone yet who only used detox drinks in passing the test.
It all makes sense because the major advantage of taking a detox drink is that the THC is concealed in your body fluids. Keep in mind that the hair drug test uses hair sample, not body fluid. That’s why you shouldn’t depend on detox drinks alone to save your neck.
Food Supplement, Herbs, And Pills
The third form of THC detox product used by a lot of marijuana users is consumables, which includes food supplements, herbs, and pills. Compared to other forms of detox products, there seem to be no claims from people that these consumables have helped them pass a hair drug test. On the other hand, many manufacturers provide money-back guarantees to support their claim of effectiveness and some even offer clinical evidence to support their claim.
Although their effectiveness is still uncertain, many people use supplements on top of their Macujo or Jerry G cleaning routine. Many of these products are organic and safe so there’s nothing much to lose when adding them to your routine. But I don’t suggest using them alone to pass a hair drug test.
Good Luck On Your Next Hair Drug Test!
