TLDR Pulverization extracts more cortisol from hair, but any method works due to individual differences.
This study investigated the efficiency of different methods for extracting cortisol from hair as a marker of chronic stress, using samples from 20 men. The methods compared included prewashing, cutting versus pulverization, and the application of temperature and sonication. Results showed that pulverization yielded higher cortisol levels than cutting (22.0 vs. 17.4 pg/mg, P = 0.002), but prewashing, temperature, and sonication did not significantly affect cortisol extraction. The study concluded that while pulverization was more effective, the large interindividual differences in cortisol levels suggest that any method could be used, considering the time and cost of analyses.
237 citations
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September 2018 in “Clinical Biochemistry” Hair cortisol analysis can help diagnose stress-related conditions but needs more refinement for widespread use.
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January 2017 in “MethodsX” Methanol is better than isopropanol for washing grizzly bear hair to measure cortisol.
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October 2014 in “Journal of Dairy Science” Tail switch hair is best for measuring cortisol in Holstein cows, with white hair and multiparous cows showing higher levels.
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September 2013 in “Therapeutic Drug Monitoring” First Nation individuals had higher hair cortisol levels, indicating more chronic stress.
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July 2009 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes” Hair analysis can track past cortisol levels in Cushing's Syndrome patients.
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October 2007 in “Clinical and investigative medicine” Hair cortisol can be used to measure long-term stress exposure.
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December 2017 in “Scientific reports” The new test can measure very small amounts of testosterone in hair, and grinding the hair up first gives more accurate results.
December 2025 in “Biology Bulletin Reviews” Hair cortisol can indicate animal stress but varies with many factors.
44 citations
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November 2018 in “Journal of applied ecology” Hair analysis for stress and reproductive hormones in wildlife needs more research for accuracy across species.
March 2025 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Early-onset hair loss in Egyptian males is linked to genetics, hormones, and lifestyle factors like smoking and diet.
May 2025 in “Psychopharmacology” Chronic finasteride use in male rats doesn't strongly cause depression or anxiety due to adaptive stress hormone changes.
224 citations
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March 2006 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” The document concludes that understanding hair follicle biology can lead to better hair loss treatments.
