Hair DNA Testing: Can You Do a Paternity Test with Hair?
Yes, hair can be used for paternity DNA testing when the submitted strands contain enough usable root tissue for nuclear DNA extraction. Cut or rootless hair is generally not suitable for My Forever DNA®'s standard hair-based relationship testing method. A visible root may improve the chance that a sample is usable, but viability cannot be confirmed until laboratory extraction is attempted.
Key Takeaways
- Hair can be used for a paternity test, but it must have the root attached. Hair cut at a barber shop, salon, or with scissors usually won't work because the follicle stays in the scalp.
- Submit 25-50 hairs with visible roots to give the lab the best chance of extracting a usable DNA profile.
- Hair DNA testing falls under discreet (alternative sample) testing. It's used when a standard cheek swab isn't available or when the sample needs to be collected without the other person's direct participation.
- Success depends on sample quality. Not every hair with a root will yield enough DNA. Factors like age of the sample, storage conditions, and how the hair was collected all affect viability.
- Hair testing is as accurate as cheek swab testing when DNA extraction is successful. The lab runs the same 24-marker analysis on hair-derived DNA as it does on cheek swab samples.
Can You Get DNA From Cut Hair or Hair Without the Root?
For My Forever DNA®'s standard hair-based relationship testing, the submitted hairs need usable root tissue attached so the laboratory can recover the nuclear DNA required for the analysis.
Hair that has been cut with scissors or clippers usually does not include that root tissue, which is why salon or barber-floor clippings are generally not suitable for this testing method.
Hair that has been naturally shed, collected from a brush, or plucked may retain root material, but appearance alone cannot guarantee that enough usable DNA is present.
When checking a hair sample:
- Hair with visible root material may be suitable for laboratory extraction.
- Freshly cut hair generally is not suitable for this standard paternity-testing method because the required root tissue usually remains in the skin.
- Hair collected from a brush or comb may work if enough strands retain usable root material.
- Wet or poorly stored hair may have lower viability, even when root material appears to be present.
Specialized forensic techniques can sometimes recover genetic information from rootless hair shafts, but that is different from the standard hair-based relationship testing offered through My Forever DNA®.
If you are unsure whether the hair you have is suitable, contact My Forever DNA® before ordering.
How Hair DNA Testing Works
Hair DNA testing follows the same general process as any discreet DNA test, with one additional step: forensic DNA extraction from the hair follicle.
Collect 25-50 hairs with usable root material attached.
Providing multiple strands gives the laboratory a better opportunity to recover enough DNA for a complete profile because not every submitted hair will necessarily yield usable DNA.
Let the hairs air dry completely.
If the hair is wet (from a shower drain or bathroom), lay it on a clean paper towel and let it dry before packaging.
Place the hairs in a clean, dry paper envelope.
Do not use plastic bags, Ziploc bags, or foil. Plastic traps moisture, which causes mold growth and degrades DNA. Paper breathes and keeps the sample dry.
Label the envelope clearly.
Include the name, initials, or identifier of the person the hair belongs to (e.g., "Alleged Father" or initials).
Send the sample to the lab.
The lab performs forensic DNA extraction from the follicle tissue, builds a genetic profile, and compares it against the other participant's sample (typically a cheek swab from the child).
Results are delivered by email.
If extraction is successful, results are typically ready within 5-7 business days after the lab receives all samples. Hair samples take slightly longer than standard cheek swabs because of the additional forensic extraction step.
What If the Hair Sample Doesn't Work?
Hair samples are not guaranteed to contain enough viable DNA.
Even when root material is visible, the amount and quality of DNA can vary. Age, heat, moisture, storage, handling, and the condition of the sample can all affect whether the laboratory can build a usable DNA profile.
The laboratory cannot confirm viability until extraction is attempted.
If the sample fails, here's what happens:
- You'll be notified that the extraction was unsuccessful.
- A new sample will be needed - either more hair or a different sample type.
- A retesting fee applies per sample, because the lab incurs costs during the forensic extraction attempt regardless of outcome.
- You will always be notified and asked to approve any additional fees before they're charged.
To maximize your chances of success:
- Provide as many hairs with roots as possible (the 25-50 guideline is a minimum)
- Collect hair that has been recently shed or pulled, not hair that's been sitting in a brush for months
- Store and ship in paper, not plastic
- Keep the sample away from heat, direct sunlight, and moisture
- Send the sample as soon as possible after collection
Hair vs. Other Discreet DNA Samples
Hair is one of several alternative samples that can be used for discreet DNA testing. Here's how it compares to other common options:
Toothbrush (well-used)
HighOne of the most reliable discreet samples; collects cheek cells over time
Hair with follicle (25-50 strands)
Moderate to highMust have root attached; success varies by sample quality
Nail clippings (10-20 clippings)
Moderate to highCollect from one person only; fingernails or toenails both work
Earwax on cotton swab
ModerateUse a Q-tip that has been used by one person only
Used razor
ModerateMust be well-used; avoid multi-person razors
Cigarette butt
ModerateContains saliva-based DNA from the mouth end
Chewing gum
LowerDNA degrades quickly; send as soon as possible
Hair is one of several alternative sample types that may be considered when a standard cheek swab is unavailable. Other options can include used toothbrushes, nail clippings, earwax swabs, razors, and other approved personal items.
The best option depends on the condition of the sample, how it was collected and stored, and the amount of usable DNA available. No alternative sample should be assumed to work based only on the sample type.
For a broader comparison, read Alternative DNA Samples: What Can Be Used for DNA Testing?.
Can You Use Beard Hair or Body Hair?
Beard hair
Yes, beard trimmings can sometimes be used, especially if some hairs retain the follicle. Electric trimmer clippings are less likely to have roots than hair pulled directly. Provide a larger quantity to improve chances.
Body hair (arms, legs, chest)
Body hair can contain follicles, but these hairs are generally finer with smaller roots, which means less DNA per hair. It's not the first choice, but it may work when head hair isn't available. Submit as many strands as possible.
Eyebrow or eyelash hair
These can contain follicles, but the small number of available hairs makes it difficult to meet the 25-50 strand recommendation. Contact us before relying on these as your primary sample.
The same basic requirement applies across head, beard, and body hair: enough strands need to contain usable root material for the laboratory to attempt extraction. Hair type and visible appearance alone cannot guarantee viability, so contact My Forever DNA® before relying on an unusual hair sample as your primary testing option.
If you're ready to order, our hair follicle paternity test uses the same 24-marker analysis as our standard cheek swab tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a hair DNA test cost?
Hair DNA testing involves a forensic extraction step on top of the standard lab analysis, so it costs more than a standard cheek swab test. Contact us for current pricing. Phone: 402-800-7161 or email: sales@myforeverdna.com.
Can I use hair from a hairbrush?
Yes, if the hairs have roots attached. Check the base of each strand for a small bulb. Hair collected from a brush is one of the most accessible discreet samples, but not all hairs pulled from a brush will have intact follicles. Collect as many as possible and inspect for visible roots.
How old can a hair sample be?
DNA can sometimes be extracted from hair that is months or even years old, but success depends on storage conditions. Hair stored in a dry, cool environment has a better chance than hair exposed to heat, humidity, or sunlight. Fresher samples are always more reliable.
Can hair DNA testing determine anything other than paternity?
Rooted hair may be accepted as an alternative sample for several relationship DNA tests, including some sibling, grandparent, aunt or uncle, and maternity cases.
Sample requirements can vary depending on the relationship being tested, the participants available, and the testing setup. Confirm the hair sample with My Forever DNA® before ordering.
Can a Hair DNA Sample Be Used for Legal DNA Testing?
A privately collected hair sample does not by itself create a legal chain-of-custody DNA test.
Legal testing requires specific identity-verification, collection, documentation, and chain-of-custody procedures. If you need results for court or another official purpose, contact My Forever DNA® before collecting or submitting the hair so the appropriate testing process can be confirmed.
Do you test the hair strand or just the root?
The lab extracts nuclear DNA from the root (follicle). The hair strand itself is made of keratin and does not contain the type of DNA used in paternity and relationship testing. Mitochondrial DNA can sometimes be extracted from the shaft, but standard relationship testing requires nuclear DNA from the follicle.
Can I combine a hair sample with a cheek swab?
Yes. One participant can provide a discreet hair sample while the other provides a standard cheek swab. Both samples go to the same lab and are analyzed together. This is a common approach when only one participant's sample needs to be collected discreetly.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're considering a hair DNA test and want to confirm whether your sample is likely to be viable, contact our team before ordering. We can help you evaluate your options and choose the best sample type for your situation.
Phone: 402-800-7161 Email: sales@myforeverdna.com
