After you purchase an assessment, we'll send a hairID testing kit to your address. You’ll conduct at-home water hardness and scalp sebum tests and send back a small sample of your hair. We will send you a link containing your hairID results within 1-2 weeks after receiving your hair sample in our Buffalo, NY lab.

No, please don’t cut your hair sample! Simply collect hair from your brush or shower drain.

No, we do not sequence DNA data from the hair we collect. We strictly analyze your hair sample to produce information about its physical composition.

No, we do not make custom products. We believe there are commercially available products that satisfy almost all hair types and needs. With your input regarding budget and hair goals, we help you find the products that meet your hairID profile and needs.

Our proprietary algorithm matches your hairID profile with products in our database based on ingredient compatibility. Upon registering your kit, we ask you to answer a series of questions regarding your shopping preferences and adjust our recommendations accordingly.

Thickness refers to the width of each individual hair strand, which can range from 30-180 microns. We measure the micro-width of your hair under a microscope. Knowing the precise width of your strands is critical to choosing the right products.

Understanding your hair's porosity is essential to preventing damage and determining the kinds of products that best fit your hair's needs.

Your porosity reveals how your hair absorbs water, how frequently you should use products, and how to apply them. High porosity hair absorbs water quickly and is more susceptible to swelling.

The opposite is true of low porosity hair. We measure porosity with a surface tensiometer, which calculates the angle at which water contacts your hair. A large contact angle indicates low porosity, as water is more inclined to sit on top of, rather than seep into, your hair.

Measuring your scalp's sebum level helps us determine your optimal shampoo routine. Your scalp naturally produces sebum, a layer of oil that forms on your scalp and travels onto your hair. Your results were measured using the oil adsorptive technology included in your hairID kit.

Water hardness measures the quantity of minerals, such as calcium ions, in your water. The minerals in hard water can bind to your hair, building up slowly each time you shower. These minerals can even compete with your conditioner, making it less effective. Hard water necessitates washing your hair with a special shampoo.

We examine your cuticles under a microscope for evidence of damage. We look for physical damage, typically caused by brushing and friction; chemical damage, typically caused by color treatments and chlorine; heat damage, typically caused by styling with heat; and UV damage, caused by sun exposure. Cuticle fusion is typically caused by sun exposure. Cracks can indicate friction damage, caused by brushing or rough handling of hair. Spiral shaped holes in the cuticles indicate potential heat damage.