ELSA Hair Sample Protocol Card
In order to measure Cortisol in a hair sample, the sample needs to be a minimum of 2cms in length and weigh a minimum of 10mg. The
following pictures guide as to what this sample size might look like in reality.
2cms long (10mg)
5cms long (10mg)
10cms long (10mg)
As can be seen here the smaller the sample length the greater the number of strands required for a 10mg sample.
As a general guide – ¼ width (5mm) of the end of a pencil is sufficient for any length sample.
The hair sample should be taken from an area on the back of the head, indicated by the yellow circles on the pictures
overleaf. You can be flexible within this area depending on the type of hair pattern the respondent has. If there is a
thinner spread of hair then a sample of hair taken would leave a more visible ‘hairless patch’ which may mean the
respondent would not wish to give a hair sample. Offering a wider area for a hair sample to be taken from will reassure
the respondent and enable them to take part. See the pictures overleaf for examples.
80_ELSA Hair Sample Protocol
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This respondent’s hair is just 2cms long at the
top of the sampling area.
This respondent would need a sample taken
from the lower part of sampling area – if
2cms long
This male respondent’s hair pattern is thinner
at the top – so would need a sample taken
from lower part of sampling area
This female respondent’s hair pattern is also
thinner at the top – so would need a sample
taken from lower part of sampling area
This respondent has a dense hair growth
pattern across the whole area (at about 5cms
long) – resulting in a thinner sample of hair to
achieve the 10mg minimum.
This respondent has long, but a fairly fine hair
growth pattern across the whole area (at
about 30 cms long) – resulting in a thinner
sample of hair to achieve the 10mg minimum.
80_ELSA Hair Sample Protocol
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