Hair analysis--a critical review.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Clinical Diagnostics
• Toxicology

Background:

• Hair analysis is a noninvasive method for assessing trace element status.
• Current understanding of normal hair element concentrations and influencing factors is limited.
• The diagnostic utility of hair analysis remains unproven.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability of hair analysis for trace element assessment.
• To determine if hair element concentrations reflect systemic levels.
• To investigate factors affecting hair element concentrations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on trace element analysis in hair.
• Analysis of existing data on hair element concentrations.
• Discussion of physiological and pharmacological influences.

Main Results:

• Hair analysis is potentially useful but lacks proven reliability.
• Evidence is insufficient to confirm hair element levels reflect body status.
• Normal ranges and influencing factors are not well-established.

Conclusions:

• Diagnostic use of commercial hair analysis is not currently justified.
• Further research is needed to validate hair analysis as a clinical tool.
• Reliability and systemic correlation must be established before widespread adoption.