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Sample Collection Guide

How to collect your hair sample

Takes about 15 minutes. Most clients get it right first try if they follow this guide. Below: what you need, the 6 steps, where to mail it, common questions.

Before you start

What you'll need

Four items. Most people already have everything except the small zip-lock bag — supermarket or pharmacy will have these.

✂

Sharp scissors

Clean, dry, ideally stainless steel

🪞

A mirror

Easier to see the back of your head

📦

Small zip-lock bag

Sandwich-size or smaller. Clean and dry.

🖋

Pen + the order form

The form arrives in your order confirmation email

Step-by-step

The 6 steps

Read all six before you start. The order matters — wash before, then cut, then package.

1

Wash your hair normally — the day before or morning of

Use your usual shampoo. No conditioner on the day of sampling — residue can affect mineral readings. Air-dry or towel-dry; no heavy product.

Why this mattersClean hair means clean readings. Conditioners and styling products contain minerals that contaminate the sample.
2

Find the right spot — nape of the neck

Cut from the back of your head, just above the hairline. The hair there is closer to the scalp's actual mineral status, and the sample site is hidden so a small trim isn't visible.

Why napeHair grown in the nape area reflects the most recent 3–4 months of mineral activity, which is what HTMA measures.
3

Cut close to the scalp — keep the root end

Cut 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of hair, as close to the scalp as you can get safely. Keep the root ends together — these are what the lab analyses.

Why root-end mattersHair grows from the root outward. The root inch reflects the last 3 months; the rest is older. ARL needs the root section specifically.
4

Cut enough — about a teaspoon's worth

Total volume needed: roughly a teaspoon of hair. If your hair is fine, you'll need a wider area; if thick, less. Cut from multiple spots across the nape if needed to get the volume.

Common mistakeToo little hair is the most frequent reason ARL has to request a re-sample. When in doubt, send slightly more.
5

Package — root ends together, into the bag

Place the hair into the small zip-lock bag with all the root ends pointing the same direction. Seal the bag. Label with your name and order number (from your confirmation email).

6

Complete the order form + mail

Print and complete the order form that arrived with your confirmation email. Place the form and the sealed bag in a regular postal envelope. Mail to the address below.

Mailing address — same for NZ + international

Where to send your sample

Gary Moller
15 Heaton Terrace
Brooklyn, Wellington 6021
New Zealand

Standard postal mail is fine — no need for tracked / signed delivery unless you want extra peace of mind. We courier the sample on to ARL Laboratories USA within 2 business days of arrival.

You'll receive an acknowledgement email within 24 hours of your sample arriving. If you don't hear from us within 7 days of mailing (NZ) or 14 days (international), email gary@precisionhealthtesting.com with your tracking info if you have it.

Things to avoid

What can mess up the sample

Avoid these — they affect mineral readings:

  • Recently dyed or chemically treated hair — bleach, perm, dye all change mineral content. If your hair is treated, cut from regrowth as close to the scalp as possible (the untreated 2–3cm closest to the scalp is what you want)
  • Conditioner residue — see step 1; no conditioner on sampling day
  • Heavy styling products — gels, sprays, oils all contain minerals that contaminate
  • Hair from a brush or hairbrush — root-end matters, brush hair has lost the root
  • Hair from someone else — sounds obvious, but the sample must be the person ordered for
  • Pubic hair, body hair, beard — mineral profiles differ; HTMA is calibrated for scalp hair specifically
Common questions

Sample collection FAQ

I've got short hair — can I still do HTMA?
Yes. We need 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4cm) length and roughly a teaspoon volume. If your hair is very short (<2.5cm), it's worth waiting until you have enough length. Email if you're unsure.
What if I'm bald or have very thin hair?
Body hair sometimes works for HTMA but the calibration is different — and we don't currently process body-hair samples. If you can't get enough scalp hair, email Gary before ordering.
My hair is dyed — what now?
Cut from the regrowth as close to the scalp as possible — typically the 2–3cm closest to your scalp is untreated regrowth. If your roots are very recently dyed, wait 4–6 weeks for regrowth before sampling.
I made a mistake — can I redo it?
If you haven't mailed yet: just collect a fresh sample and discard the bad one. If you've mailed and it doesn't pass ARL's quality check (rare but it happens), ARL will request a re-sample at no charge to you — we cover the re-sample cost.
How long until ARL receives my sample?
From NZ: 1–3 business days to our Wellington address, then 2 days for us to courier to ARL USA, then 5–7 days transit USA. Total: ~10–14 days from mailing to ARL receipt. International adds 3–5 days.
Can I deliver the sample in person?
Yes — drop off at 15 Heaton Terrace, Brooklyn, Wellington during business hours (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm). Skip the postal step. Otherwise mail is the standard route.
What about kids — same process?
Same process, slightly less hair (roughly half a teaspoon). If your child is reluctant about a haircut, the nape area can usually be done unnoticed. Email if you have specific concerns.

Stuck? We're happy to help.

If you're unsure about anything — email a photo, ask the question, we'll respond within 24–48 hours.

Email Gary →