So you need a hair drug test: work requires it, but you’re concerned about cross-contamination or that vacation to Colorado. While a hair follicle drug test is less invasive than other methods, passing it is just as crucial.
Here, we look at the best hair follicle detox shampoos and their benefits to your hair’s overall health. Test Clear’s Old Style Aloe Rid Shampoo is the best detox shampoo, with its additional soothing antioxidant ingredients.
Best Detox Shampoo
- Test Clear – Old Style Aloe Rid Shampoo – Best detox shampoo overall
- passusa.com – Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo – Deep detox with conditioner combo
- Pass Your Test – Extreme Total Body Cleanse – Best for a permanent cleanse
- Pass Your Test – Folli-Clean Shampoo – Best quick solution
- Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo – Best general detox with drug detox combo
The best detox shampoo will cleanse your hair follicles of unwanted impurities and nourish and protect your hair. Our top pick of the best detox shampoos is Old Style Aloe Rid Shampoo from Test Clear, thanks to its deep detoxifying and restorative properties.
1. Test Clear – Old Style Aloe Rid Shampoo – Best Detox Shampoo Overall – Ranking 4.9/5
Pros
- Chelating power of EDTA and alpha-lipoic acid
- Herbal and gentle ingredients, including avocado oil and aloe vera juice
- Includes the antioxidant vitamin E
Cons
- May be expensive
- Some recommended protocols may damage your hair
Who Should Try Old Style Aloe Rid Shampoo?
Old Style Aloe Rid Shampoo is the best detox shampoo for everyone concerned about an upcoming hair follicle drug test and needing a soothing, protective hair treatment.
Besides typical cleansing surfactants such as sodium laureth sulfate, Aloe Rid detoxification hair shampoo contains ingredients that may penetrate deeper and clean out unwanted substances more thoroughly. They include EDTA and thioctic acid, two chelating ingredients. Chelators latch onto substances such as heavy metals, drawing them out of the body for excretion.
Thioctic acid is also known as alpha-lipoic acid, and besides its chelating effects, it also increases glutathione levels inside your cells. Glutathione is an antioxidant and detoxifier that removes many unwanted chemicals, including recreational drugs and pharmaceuticals, that may cause false positives [1].
Propylene glycol may be one of the most critical ingredients in a hair follicle shampoo. Its ability to penetrate hair follicles makes it a standard inclusion in hair care products, and one of the best detox shampoo ingredients. This penetration may allow chelating substances and cleansing ingredients to remove drugs more effectively instead of only cleaning the surface [2].
Aloe vera extracts and gels may be another essential ingredient for detoxifying and clarifying shampoos. Aloe is one of the best clarifying shampoo ingredients, able to clean oily hair, penetrate tissues, and help open the pores of your skin. It is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, and your skin absorbs it four times more readily than water [3].
Who Shouldn’t Try Old Style Aloe Rid Shampoo?
Aloe Rid Shampoo may not be best if you need an emergency hair detox. For drug tests within the next day or two, try Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo.
Old Style Aloe Rid Shampoo Ranking: 4.9/5
Quality of Ingredients – 4.9/5
Old Style Aloe toxin rid shampoo contains two chelating agents, alongside propylene glycol to open the hair follicles and nourishing avocado oil, aloe, and vitamin E.
Application – 4.9/5
Aloe Rid shampoo is a convenient treatment for use up to 15 times before your scheduled hair follicle test. You can combine it with protocols such as the Macujo or Jerry J methods, which mildly damage the hair shaft so the shampoo can remove even more impurities.
Cost – 4.9/5
Aloe Rid detox shampoo costs $235.90 for one bottle of eight fluid ounces. This gives you up to 15 washes, but this may be less if you have long or thick hair.
Summary
Old Style Aloe Rid Shampoo is the best detox shampoo overall and a fantastic clarifying shampoo. Its combination of ingredients allow it to open pores, latch onto unwanted substances, and soothe your skin and hair.
2. passusa.com – Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo – Deep Detox With Conditioner Combo – Ranking 4.9/5
Pros
- Peer-reviewed research shows benefit
- Particularly effective for THC and amphetamines
- It contains soothing aloe
- Made for emergency use
Cons
- It may only be effective for eight to 24 hours
Who Should Try Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo?
Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo is the best detox shampoo for a deep cleanse, and one of the best clarifying shampoos. Designed to remove medications, chemicals, and other impurities, it even has a peer-reviewed study to back up its benefits.
In the research on Ultra Clean Zydot, hair samples from 14 people with a history of drug abuse were tested after being washed with the cleansing shampoo.
Ultra Clean Zydot was most effective against amphetamines and THC, with 41% and 36% of the drugs removed. Morphine fell by 26%, and it cleared 5% of cocaine traces from the hair samples [4].
This doesn’t seem like much, but the treatment protocol only involved three minutes each of shampoo, purifier, and conditioner application. The recommended method now includes leaving the shampoo and purifier in for 10 minutes each.
Who Shouldn’t Try Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo?
As Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo sachets are recommended for use on the day of your hair drug test, they aren’t best if you are unsure when you will need them. This product is also unsuitable for vegans, as the conditioner contains hydrolyzed animal protein.
Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo Ranking: 4.9/5
Quality of Ingredients – 4.9/5
The Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo triple combination contains EDTA, propylene glycol, and plenty of aloe to cleanse and moisturize dry hair.
Application – 4.8/5
Ultra Clean Zydot is a triple detoxifying shampoo protocol that requires several steps. First, massage half of the shampoo into your scalp and wet hair for 10 minutes. Then, rub the purifier into your scalp and leave it for another 10 minutes after combing it through your hair.
Next, repeat the shampoo application and leave it for another three minutes. Finally, massage the conditioner into your scalp and hair, waiting for three minutes before washing it off.
Cost – 4.9/5
Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo costs $44 for one set from Pass USA. There are also package deals, such as a buy two, get one free option for $88.
Summary
Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo is one of the best detox shampoos with a three-step, evidence-based drug detoxification that can remove multiple common drug contaminants.
3. Pass Your Test – Extreme Total Body Cleanse – Best for a Permanent Cleanse – Ranking 4.7/5
Pros
- Internal hair purifying treatment that aims to detox your whole body
- Includes herbal supplements for liver support
- Meal plan and chat support are provided
Cons
- It contains cascara, a herbal laxative
Who Should Try Extreme Total Body Cleanse?
Pass Your Test’s Extreme Total Body Cleanse is the best detox shampoo product if you want to clear drug metabolites from your whole body. This may help you pass a blood or urine drug test, too. While the detoxifying shampoo can help deep clean hair, the herbal supplement program may help prevent the chemical buildup from recurring.
One example of its ingredients, in both the morning and evening supplement, is schisandra berry. Schisandra stimulates multiple detoxification pathways that speed up the clearance of drugs and their metabolites, including those that pump unwanted substances out of cells [6].
Additionally, dandelion, curcumin, vitamin B12, and other ingredients stimulate liver detoxification while providing it with antioxidant support. Your dose of vitamin B12 is ten times greater than the recommended daily intake, highlighting the hard-and-fast design of the Total Body Cleanse [7].
Who Shouldn’t Try Extreme Total Body Cleanse?
The morning supplement included in Extreme Total Body Cleanse contains the laxative cascara. We do not recommend taking this herb if you already experience loose stools or abdominal cramps.
As schisandra berries stimulate drug resistance-related pathways in the body, the herbal supplement may be risky if you are on prescription medications.
Extreme Total Body Cleanse Ranking: 4.7/5
Quality of Ingredients – 4.7/5
Extreme Total Body Cleanse combines many effective ingredients that boost liver detoxification through multiple mechanisms alongside a cleansing shampoo. However, some supplement ingredients may interact with prescription medications.
Application – 4.6/5
The Extreme Total Body Cleanse protocol involves one dose of a pre-cleanse supplement, five days of the Extreme Detoxification Program, and a one-day post-cleanse supplement. The central part of the supplementation protocol involves a total of 12 capsules each day, so it’s not the most convenient program.
Cost – 4.8/5
The entire Extreme Total Body Cleanse costs $179.95, including free shipping.
Summary
Extreme Total Body Cleanse is the best detox shampoo product for passing a hair drug test from the inside out. It combines cleansing shampoo with herbal supplements that enhance liver detoxification.
4. Pass Your Test – Folli-Clean Shampoo – Best Quick Solution – Ranking 4.6/5
Pros
- Provides Digital Cleansing Guide
- Discreet packaging
- A convenient application that works in 60 minutes
Cons
- Single-use, small bottle
- Only provides short-term effects
Who Should Try Folli-Clean Shampoo?
Folli-Clean Shampoo is the best detox shampoo if you need to pass a hair follicle test at short notice. It contains strong shampoo detergents such as ammonium lauryl sulfate and TEA-lauryl sulfate, alongside the chelating EDTA. Sulfates are found in the best clarifying shampoos, as they effectively cleanse an oily scalp and hair, and are easy to rinse off [8].
Who Shouldn’t Try Folli-Clean Shampoo?
Folli-Clean detoxifying shampoo isn’t right for you if you are unsure of your drug test date. With only two ounces per bottle, it’s meant for an emergency, not regular use.
Folli-Clean Shampoo Ranking: 4.6/5
Quality of Ingredients – 4.6/5
Folli-Clean contains powerful cleansers, but it only works for up to 24 hours. After this time, new hair growth and oil production may re-contaminate your hair.
Application – 4.9/5
Folli-Clean is the best detox shampoo when it comes to convenience. Massage it into your hair twice, leaving it in for five minutes each time before rinsing, and you can expect 24 hours of protection. However, it’s essential to avoid all hair products and potential sources of re-contamination.
Cost – 4.2/5
Folli-Clean detoxifying shampoo costs $99.95 per two-ounce bottle, which gives you just one treatment.
Summary
Folli-Clean Shampoo is a quick, convenient solution that contains effective clarifying shampoo ingredients to help you pass a hair follicle drug test.
5. Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo – Best General Detox With Drug Detox Combo – Ranking 4.5/5
Pros
- Combo includes two products to help pass hair follicle tests
- Includes strengthening ceramides
- It contains pore-opening propylene glycol and aloe
- Up to 15 washes per bottle
Cons
- It contains less propylene glycol than Aloe Rid
- Shampoo must be used with the Macujo method, which can be harsh
Who Should Try Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo?
Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo is our favorite hair follicle detox combo. It includes both the shampoo bottle and Zydot Ultra Clean. They are meant for use as part of the Macujo Method, which mildly damages your hair by washing it with Tide Pods and other substances so ingredients in hair detox shampoos can penetrate the shaft.
The detoxifying shampoo contains deep cleansing aloe, propylene glycol, EDTA, and nutrients key to healthy hair. One of these is a ceramide, which could help protect hair strands. In fact, research demonstrates that shampoo containing ceramides can reduce hair shaft breakage during brushing by 43%. They may be most effective if you are African-American, because of your hair type [5].
Who Shouldn’t Try Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo?
The Aloe Rid shampoo by Nexxus should be used as part of the Macujo Method for hair detox shampoos, which is not recommended if you have a sensitive scalp.
Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo Ranking: 4.5/5
Quality of Ingredients – 4.6/5
Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo contains ceramides, aloe, and other ingredients that keep your hair and scalp healthy. You may find that it is one of the best detox shampoos to promote hair growth by reducing breakage. However, the concentration of propylene glycol is lower than in other products.
Application – 4.6/5
Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo may require the complete Macujo Method to work, a protocol aimed at mildly damaging your hair.
Cost – 4.4/5
Nexxus’ detoxifying shampoo costs $200 per bottle or approximately $13.35 for every wash.
Summary
Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo is the best detox shampoo for improving the general health of your hair and passing follicle tests.
How To Choose the Best Detox Shampoos
When choosing the best detox shampoo for your needs, consider the best types of product and ingredients, how effective they are, company reputability, and your budget.
Type of Product You Need
The best type of hair follicle detox shampoo depends on how much time you have and your level of drug exposure. Do not use a clarifying shampoo; you need a product marketed specifically for passing hair follicle tests.
If you expect a drug test sometime soon, a hair follicle detox shampoo intended for multiple uses, such as Aloe Toxin Rid, is best. An emergency product such as Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo is recommended if you have a date scheduled. For added peace of mind, the Extreme Total Body Cleanse can prevent chemical buildup in the hair.
Effectiveness
Hair follicle drug tests can put your job on the line, so it’s essential that you find a product with ingredients that can latch onto unwanted substances. If you have damaged hair, you may want the best detox shampoos that can nourish and protect the shafts and follicles. In case you are already losing hair, consult your doctor for the best over the counter hair loss treatment option. Does dhea help hair growth? It may help with hair growth since low vitamin D levels are often associated with hair loss.
Product Label and Ingredient List
The overall health of your hair and scalp also determines the best detox shampoo for you. For example, hair detox shampoos with aloe may hydrate dry hair, while ceramides can restore strength to chemically-treated hair and color-treated hair.
Brand Reputation
Brand reputation is a helpful indicator of whether or not a detox hair shampoo will work. The best detox shampoo will have hundreds of reviews and an average rating of 4/5 stars.
Consider Your Budget
Whether you’re on a tight budget, need a fast detoxifying shampoo, or can afford to splurge and want the best, always consider whether your shampoo is worth its cost.
How Do Hair Detox Shampoos Work?
A hair follicle detox shampoo is more powerful than your typical clarifying shampoo. It opens up the follicles and allows powerful cleansing ingredients to target unwanted substances. They often include chelating agents, such as EDTA, which tightly bind to some contaminants. This is different from a clarifying shampoo that removes surface oil and grime.
How Often Should You Use Detoxifying Shampoo?
Hair detox shampoos intended to help you pass a drug test should only be used when necessary. If you undergo regular drug tests or have an upcoming test scheduled, you can plan ahead. Even the best detox shampoo can be harsh and irritating with frequent use.
On the other hand, you can wash your hair with regular clarifying shampoo as part of your normal hair care routine.
Who Can Benefit From Using Hair Detox Shampoos?
Hair detox shampoos differ from regular clarifying shampoos as they are aimed at passing hair follicle tests.
Many professions require drug testing, which may be random or scheduled. If you’ve recently used cannabis while on vacation in an area where it’s legal, for example, it’s best to use the best detox shampoo you can find before your drug test. Do not shave your head, because it is also possible to perform drug tests with body hair.
However, you don’t have to use drugs to benefit from a drug detox shampoo. Research demonstrates that close contact with others using cannabis, for example, can cause a false positive. If a friend or relative has smoked cannabis around you or touched you after using it, stock up on the best detox shampoo before any planned drug test [9].
Who Should Avoid Detox Shampoos?
Propylene glycol shampoo preparations are not safe for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers. Babies cannot detoxify the substance from their bodies as rapidly as adults, which can increase the risk of adverse effects [10]. If you have very sensitive skin, some ingredients such as propylene glycol may also be too irritating.
How To Use the Best Detox Shampoo to Pass a Hair Follicle Drug Test
Once you’ve found the best detox shampoo, it’s essential to follow the treatment protocol. Certain products may include a supplement program, while others may need multiple washes for the best results. Some of the best hair follicle detox shampoos are most effective as part of a protocol such as the Macujo Method or Jerry J Method.
These involve washing your hair with Tide Pods, baking soda, and apple cider vinegar; or bleaching and dyeing your hair, to damage the shaft and allow your shampoo to remove unwanted substances. Of course, your hair dye should match your natural color, as bleached hair would likely be noticed by your workplace.
It’s important to stop using your usual hair or head accessories until after the drug test, and even wash and change your pillowcases. This is because your natural hair oils may have contaminated them with drug particles. If you’ve spent time with someone while they were smoking cannabis, do not use anything you were wearing at the time if it is still unwashed.
Common FAQs
Here are some common questions that customers are asking about hair detox shampoos.
What Does a Detox Shampoo Do?
A hair detox shampoo helps to remove traces of drugs and other unwanted substances by penetrating your hair and latching onto the contaminants so they can be washed out.
Is Detox Shampoo Good for Hair?
Hair detox shampoos and their protocols can be harsh and drying. However, the best detox shampoos contain ingredients, such as aloe vera and ceramides, that nourish and protect your hair.
Is Detox Shampoo the Same as Clarifying?
While clarifying shampoos address the accumulation of grime and other impurities, the best detox shampoo targets deeper issues, such as drug traces and heavy metals.
What Shampoo Will Pass a Hair Follicle Test?
While there are no guarantees, Test Clear Old Style Aloe Rid Shampoo and
passusa.com Ultra Clean Zydot Shampoo may be the best hair detox shampoos. For example, the ability of Zydot shampoo to reduce THC levels by 41%, even with a shorter than recommended application time, could help you pass a test.
Which Type of Shampoo Is Best for Removing Buildup From the Hair?
A clarifying shampoo is specifically designed to remove excess oil, dead skin cells, and other everyday impurities from your hair and scalp. They generally look like a clear gel shampoo, not a creamy formulation.
Ranking Methodology Explained
How did we rank the best hair detox shampoo products? Quality, ease of use, and cost are all essential factors.
Quality of Ingredients
The best detox shampoo will contain ingredients that penetrate the hair shaft and follicle, cleansing it more than your typical clarifying shampoo. Detoxifying shampoo should also nourish and protect hair.
Application
Hair detox shampoos with convenient protocols and those that are easy to use on your hair and scalp score higher on our ranking system.
Cost
Some detox companies take advantage of the high-stakes need to pass a hair follicle drug test, but the best detox shampoo is a fair deal.
What Is the Best Detox Shampoo? Final Thoughts
The best detox shampoos not only cleanse the surface of your hair like regular clarifying shampoos. They contain ingredients that can penetrate the follicles, and allow their active ingredients to remove impurities such as drug metabolites. Many also feature strengthening, anti-inflammatory components too, including aloe or ceramides.
Overall, the best detox shampoo is Test Clear Old Style Aloe Rid Shampoo. It cleanses your hair through a combination of surfactants, chelating agents, and the penetrating propylene glycol and aloe vera. Even better, aloe, alpha-lipoic acid, and other ingredients provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support to your hair and scalp.
References:
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- Grams, Ylva Y et al. “Permeant lipophilicity and vehicle composition influence accumulation of dyes in hair follicles of human skin.” European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences vol. 18,5 (2003): 329-36. doi:10.1016/s0928-0987(03)00035-6
- Lawrence, Rubina et al. “Isolation, Purification and Evaluation of Antibacterial Agents from Aloe vera.” Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology] vol. 40,4 (2009): 906-15. doi:10.1590/S1517-838220090004000023
- Röhrich, J et al. “Effect of the shampoo Ultra Clean on drug concentrations in human hair.” International journal of legal medicine vol. 113,2 (2000): 102-6. doi:10.1007/pl00007707
- Bernard, B A et al. “Ceramide binding to African-American hair fibre correlates with resistance to hair breakage.” International journal of cosmetic science vol. 24,1 (2002): 1-12. doi:10.1046/j.0412-5463.2001.00106.x
- He, Jin-Lian et al. “Schisandra chinensis regulates drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters via activation of Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway.” Drug design, development and therapy vol. 9 127-46. 17 Dec. 2014, doi:10.2147/DDDT.S68501
- Hodges, Romilly E, and Deanna M Minich. “Modulation of Metabolic Detoxification Pathways Using Foods and Food-Derived Components: A Scientific Review with Clinical Application.” Journal of nutrition and metabolism vol. 2015 (2015): 760689. doi:10.1155/2015/760689
- Moosmann, Bjoern et al. “Finding cannabinoids in hair does not prove cannabis consumption.” Scientific reports vol. 5 14906. 7 Oct. 2015, doi:10.1038/srep14906
- De Cock, Roosmarijn F W et al. “Low but inducible contribution of renal elimination to clearance of propylene glycol in preterm and term neonates.” Therapeutic drug monitoring vol. 36,3 (2014): 278-87. doi:10.1097/FTD.0000000000000003
- Draelos, Zoe D. “Essentials of Hair Care often Neglected: Hair Cleansing.” International journal of trichology vol. 2,1 (2010): 24-9. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.66909