My struggles with keeping my hair in a bun after a drug test

Have you ever had to get your hair cut for a drug test? It can be an annoying process to have strands of hair clipped from your head. As TikTok user Jordan Killen recently found out, it can also make styling your hair difficult afterwards. In his viral video, Jordan talks about getting his hair cut for a drug test and then trying to put it up in a bun, only to have a stray piece of hair poking out. His story resonated with many as keeping hair neatly styled after a cutting can be a challenge. Here is a more in-depth look at Jordan's experience and the struggles others may face with hair styles post drug test hair cut.

Getting hair cut for a drug test

In his TikTok video, Jordan explains that in the past his drug tests only required a urine sample. However, this time around the test involved getting tiny strands of hair clipped from his head. As someone who regularly wears his medium-length hair up in buns, he was wary about how the cutting might impact his hairstyles. Jordan says the lab technicians told him it would just be a few super tiny clippings that he likely wouldn't notice. But as his video shows, that wasn't entirely the case.

Trying to style hair in a bun

A few days after his drug test, Jordan wanted to work out with his hair up in a bun as usual. But upon attempting to secure it, he discovered a stray piece of clipped hair poking out from the style. No matter how he tried to adjust it, that one strand refused to stay neatly tucked away. Jordan jokes that he may no longer be able to wear buns, a hairstyle he clearly enjoys. His humorous reaction captures the minor annoyance many likely feel when their normal hair routines are disrupted post drug test clipping.

Relatable struggle for many

Jordan's video resonated with a huge number of viewers who also experienced troubles with styling after similar hair cuts. Dozens shared stories in the comments about buns, ponytails or braids with flyaways no matter how much product they used. It's clear this is a frequent struggle as drug tests involving hair collection become more common. The clippers may remove just a small amount, but it's enough to create styling issues. Jordan helped others feel less alone in their frustrations over an otherwise simple hairdo becoming unwieldy.

Tips for minimizing stray hairs

While a few stray hairs may be inevitable post drug test hair cut, there are some things you can do to minimize their appearance and make styles like buns more secure:

• Use extra hold hairspray, gel or cream to flatten any flyaways
• Secure hair tightly with bobby pins positioned perpendicular to the bun
• Try a half-up style to disguise stray hairs along the hairline
• Consider clipping or trimming flyaways with small scissors

With some extra product and styling tricks, it's possible to tame those pesky hairs and still enjoy your regular hairstyles. Patience and experimenting with techniques can help smooth the process of adjusting to hair that's been clipped, however slightly, for a drug test.

FAQs

How much hair do they typically take for a drug test?

The amount of hair collected during a drug test varies but is usually just a small sample of about 100 strands or less, typically from the back of the head or nape area.

How long does it take hair to grow back after a drug test?

On average, hair grows around half an inch per month. So for hair clipped very short during a drug test, it may take 1-3 months to see regrowth to the length it was previously at.

Can you ask them not to cut your hair for a drug test?

While you can request an alternate testing method, employers are within their rights to require a hair follicle drug test which necessitates a small hair sample collection. Refusing may be viewed as attempting to conceal drug use.

Any way to speed up hair growth post drug test?

Eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet and using hair growth supplements or serums containing biotin, vitamins or peptides may help encourage faster hair regrowth after being clipped for a drug test.

How long will drug traces remain detectable in hair?

Drug metabolites can typically be detected in hair for 90 days or longer depending on use, drug type and an individual's metabolism. This makes hair drug testing useful for detecting chronic or long term drug use.