Hair mineral analysis (HTMA) is a non-invasive laboratory test that measures the levels of essential minerals and toxic metals in your hair. Because hair reflects the mineral content of your body’s tissues, HTMA provides a long-term view of your internal biochemical environment — unlike blood tests, which reflect short-term status.

This test reveals how well your body is absorbing and utilizing nutrients, offering valuable insight into your metabolic activity, stress response, and toxic metal exposure.

HTMA empowers you with personalized
nutritional information based on your body’s long-term mineral retention. Unlike generic diets or supplement plans, this test shows:

• Which supplements to take — and which to avoid
• Your metabolic type and current stress levels
• Mineral ratios that may affect thyroid, adrenal, and blood sugar function

With more than 30 years of research, HTMA is trusted by doctors, nutritionists, and holistic practitioners worldwide.

Yes — when the hair sample is collected properly, HTMA is highly accurate. Trace Elements, Inc. specializes in this testing and analyzes over 50,000 samples per year. They use advanced instrumentation and strict quality control protocols to ensure reliability and precision.

It depends. Some products can interfere with test results:

✅ OK before sample collection:

Most modern chemical-based hair dyes (as they do not contain minerals)

❌ Avoid or delay sample if using:

Grecian Formula (contains lead)
Henna (may contain metallic salts)
Hair Print (mineral-based colorants)

Tips for optimal results:

Collect your hair sample before dyeing, bleaching, perming, or highlighting.
If this isn’t possible, wait until you've washed your hair at least 10 times after these treatments.

🧴 Medicated shampoos warning:

Selsun Blue may spike selenium levels
Head & Shoulders may increase zinc artificially

Hair vs. Blood vs. Urine:

• Blood tests show immediate levels (what’s circulating now), which can vary based on recent meals or stress.
• Urine tests show what’s being excreted, not necessarily what’s retained.
• HTMA shows mineral storage over time, offering a deeper look into chronic imbalances and toxic accumulation.

HTMA is like watching a movie of your mineral status, while blood and urine tests are just snapshots.

Follow these steps:

• Use clean, untreated hair (no dye, bleach, or perm).
• Cut hair from the back of the head, close to the scalp.
• Use 1 to 1½ inches from the root end only.
• Collect about one tablespoon of hair.

✂️ Tip: Use multiple small sections to get an even sample.

If scalp hair isn't available, you may use:

• Pubic hair
• Clean fingernail clippings (preferable to toenails)
• Underarm hair (last resort)

⚠️ Note: These alternatives may reflect less recent mineral patterns due to slower growth rates.

At Trace Elements, Inc., your hair undergoes:

• Sample Prep: Hair is cut, weighed precisely, and placed in sterile containers.
• Microwave/Acid Digestion: This process breaks down the protein matrix to release trapped minerals.
• ICP-MS Analysis: A high-tech mass spectrometer identifies and measures each element.
• Quality Review: Custom software and chemists review the data. Samples not meeting standards are re-tested.

Only after rigorous quality control is your HTMA report prepared.

Your personalized report features:

• Graphs of essential and toxic mineral levels
• Analysis of important mineral ratios
• A breakdown of your metabolic type
• Customized supplement recommendations (Profile 2 & Profile 3 HTMA)
• Practitioner-friendly technical data