Introduction
Cannabidiol, or CBD, has become increasingly popular due to its potential therapeutic effects. As such, it’s become common for many people to use CBD products, including those that cater to hair care. While using CBD for promoting hair growth and health may seem like a benign activity, its consumption can result in it staying in hair for an extended period.
This article delves into the science behind CBD retention in hair, how it affects drug tests, the frequency of use and retention, ways to remove CBD from your hair, the legal issues surrounding CBD in hair, and its benefits in hair health and cosmetics.
Explaining the Science Behind CBD Retention in Hair
CBD molecules are fat-soluble, meaning they can dissolve effortlessly in fats, oils, or other substances that have a high lipid content. This property enables the CBD molecules to penetrate deep into hair shafts and onto hair strands, once they come into contact with them.
CBD molecules can, therefore, bind to hair strands through greasy sebum around hair follicles. The bonding between CBD molecules and hair strands is so strong that it becomes challenging to remove them, even from hair that has been washed severally. This also means that the longer the hair, the longer the retention period.
CBD can also remain in hair for an extended period due to its slow metabolic breakdown, unlike other substances metabolized quickly by the liver. It can remain in hair for up to 90 days from the last use, which makes its detection in hair drug tests relatively high.
Hair Drug Testing and CBD
Hair drug testing is a standard practice used to detect cannabis and other drug usage. It is among the most sensitive and reliable methods of detecting drug usage since drug molecules easily deposit into hair follicles.
While drug testing can detect cannabis, it cannot detect the THC metabolite that causes psychoactive effects. Instead, the test targets the non-psychoactive substance produced from THC, known as THC-COOH. However, CBD can impact the results of hair drug tests, especially for frequent users, due to the retention period caused by its high lipid binding properties.
Other factors that influence the duration of CBD retention in hair include the frequency of use, hair color, hair type, and CBD product used. Certain hair types like curly hair may retain CBD more than straight hair due to their structure, while lighter-colored hair tends to have fewer lipids to bind, leading to a shorter retention period.
Frequency of CBD Use and Retention in Hair
The frequency of CBD usage directly impacts how long the substance stays in hair. The more frequently someone uses CBD, the longer it takes for it to be removed entirely from hair. Frequent usage results in a much higher concentration of CBD particles in the hair, leading to the cannabinoid remaining present in hair for an extended period.
Additionally, hair color and hair type significantly impact the quantity of CBD retained in hair, with hair that has not been chemically treated retaining more chemicals for longer periods. As such, individuals with straight and chemically-treated hair may have a shorter retention period than individuals who have not chemically treated their hair.
If you’re expecting a hair drug test, it’s crucial to limit exposure to CBD products leading up to the test, ideally refraining from using CBD products for up to 90 days before the test.
Ways to Remove CBD from Hair
Removing CBD from hair isn’t straightforward, as it binds tightly to hair strands due to its high lipid binding properties. However, several methods can reduce the concentration of CBD in hair.
Bleaching, washing with vinegar or detergent, and over-the-counter detoxifying shampoos are some of the popular methods of reducing the concentration of CBD in hair. However, the effectiveness of these methods hasn’t been scientifically proven, and some may cause damage to hair, especially when used frequently.
Alternatively, natural methods such as actively rinsing hair in warm water, massaging the scalp regularly, and increasing the frequency and duration of hair washes can help reduce the concentration of CBD in hair over time.
Legal Issues Surrounding CBD in Hair
Drug testing and CBD ingestion have posed numerous legal issues that vary across different states and countries. While many states have legalized marijuana use for medicinal and recreational use, there is no legal framework for CBD, which can lead to legal confusion.
Some states have opted to put strict legislations in place to combat the effects of CBD on drug tests, while others have treated it as a non-issue. Employers remain cautious about employing individuals who use CBD since its usage could be a direct violation of federal drug laws that prohibit marijuana use. Therefore, the legal implications surrounding CBD in hair usage remain complex and vary from one state to another.
CBD and Hair Health
There is growing popularity in using CBD products in hair care routines, with some believing it promotes healthy hair growth. CBD can stimulate hair growth by inducing growth in hair follicles, suppressing inflammation, and regulating blood circulation to the scalp.
CBD also contains amino acids that serve as building blocks for the production of keratin, the protein that makes up hair strands. This can help strengthen hair and reduce breakage, improving overall hair health. There is scientific evidence showing that the use of CBD can promote hair growth and overall hair health.
CBD and Hair Cosmetics
CBD as a hair cosmetic ingredient is relatively new, but its benefits are already being recognized. CBD can nourish and protect hair, promote hair growth, increase hair strength, and reduce dandruff and scalp irritation. Using CBD-infused hair products have been shown to be effective in stimulating hair growth and promoting hair health.
The market for CBD hair care products continues to grow exponentially, with several high-end and budget-friendly brands selling CBD-infused products. Some of the best CBD-infused hair products include CBD-infused shampoo, conditioner, hair masks, and hair growth tonics.
Conclusion
Understanding how long CBD stays in hair is crucial to avoid legal implications and assist with drug testing procedures. The frequency of use and hair color can impact the duration of CBD retention in hair, and it’s essential to limit exposure before drug testing. While some methods can help remove CBD from hair, they aren’t always proven to be effective and can potentially cause damage. Finally, CBD holds numerous benefits for hair health and cosmetics and is becoming more prevalent in hair care products.
It is essential to recognize that CBD remains a regulated substance, and its usage requires legal considerations, particularly in jurisdictions and organizations that are intolerant of its usage. CBD should only be used for medical purposes and purchased from reliable dispensaries.