FAQ
Can you tell me more about hair testing?
Yes, we have a section on hair testing to help you understand why this type of analysis is so reliable, revealing and different from a blood test. Please visit this section on our science page.
Can I take the hair test if my hair is bleached, colored or chemically processed?
Yes. The hair test results can detect and report hair treatment, as hair treatment will exaggerate the calcium test (reading higher than usual). Our analysis takes this into account.
I am bald. Does that mean I can’t take a hair test?
No. If you are bald because you shave your head, you can save your hair shavings in an envelope until you have enough hair. This takes longer but is the best option. If that’s not the case, you can also use chest or pubic hair. Underarm hair is not advised.
I have thin hair; will you see where I cut the hair to use for my hair test?
No. When you take your hair sample, it is best to cut small sections from a few places. You will only send the 1″- 2″ closest to your scalp.
How are the recommendations personalized?
Honed is the only company that uses metabolic testing (through Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) in conjunction with a lifestyle questionnaire to deliver the most comprehensive health analysis available. Our advanced testing and analysis reveals your personalized premium vitamin, mineral and nutrient program.
I take prescription medications. Will my vitamins have any interactions with my prescriptions?
We always recommend sharing your assessment results with your healthcare professional — however, our questionnaire and algorithm cross-reference for any contraindications with specific prescription products.
What about my other supplements?
We suggest you stop taking your other vitamins when you start taking your Honed program. Your personalized plan will cover all the bases. Our vitamins are of higher quality and absorb better than most on the market so they will provide enhanced support over what you are taking now. If you have a specific supplement that we don’t offer, feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll provide a recommended approach.
When should I take my vitamins? Should I take them with food?
We suggest taking our vitamins a few minutes before a meal because they are designed to work with food, allows for even nutritional support throughout the day, and helps prevent stomach upset for those sensitive to supplements. Ultimately, it’s up to you, and you should do what works best for your routine.
What if I forget to take my vitamins at the right time?
Your personal plan is designed to give energy boosting supplements in the morning, and those that help with relaxation in the evening. If you forget to take them at breakfast, you can take with lunch or an afternoon snack. For the evening supplements, if you forget at dinner, you can take them before bed. If you miss a whole day, that's okay - start again the next day. And if you get behind, we can also pause your subscription so they don’t pile up.
Why should I take vitamins?
Great health is only possible with the proper balance of enzyme systems in our bodies, which make up much of the protein. Temporary deficiencies of vitamins and minerals can lead to the collapse and unbalancing of critical enzyme systems and the entire range of human illnesses that result from the disruption of specific enzyme balances. If you have been slightly deficient in nutrients, then your levels of certain enzyme systems in cells are likely depressed and require rebuilding, and that is only possible with an abundance of nutrients necessary to support this healing. With all that in mind, the world has become an increasingly stressful and toxic environment that causes the depletion of nutrients in most people’s bodies. Also, the body easily rids itself of small surpluses of water-soluble vitamins. Therefore, it’s wise to avoid unnecessary health problems due to their depletion by retaining a small surplus in our systems, rather than risk deficiency that can lead to illness, impeded healing, or retarded growth or development.
What is the quality and care of the vitamins?
Our products use the purest, most natural, bio-available combinations of nutrients available. Our finished products are rigorously tested and we have chosen ISURA™ third party verification for our supplement products because they use state-of-the-art equipment to audit, test & verify those products from seed to table. This includes mass spectrometry to test for over 600 pesticides, solvents, heavy metals, and other contaminants, as well as real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis, to identify genetically modified or genetically engineered organisms. ISURA guarantees non-GMO, safe, pure and potent.
How will I know what each of the vitamins are in my pack?
The supplements within each individual pack are listed directly on your daily packs. You can find detailed information on each of our supplements here.
Can I suggest adding a vitamin if there is one I want to take?
If you are taking a specific supplement that we don’t offer, feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll provide a recommended approach.
Are your vitamins FDA approved?
By law, the FDA does not approve vitamins and dietary supplements. That said, all vitamins and supplements adhere to FDA certified Good Manufacturing Practices. At Honed, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality products possible – our products use the purest, safest, most natural, bio-available combinations of nutrients on the planet. Additionally, we formulate and manufacture many of our own supplements to ensure the quality of raw materials and the integrity of manufacturing processes. You can find detailed information on each of our supplements here.
Do these vitamins contain dairy, gluten, nuts or soy?
Our products use only the purest, safest, and most natural nutrients available and are all dairy and gluten-free. Our vitamin E complex contains an E complex partially extracted from non-GMO soy. The E complex does not contain soy itself (proteins, lipids, sugars or estrogen-promoting compounds). Finally, the anti-fungal (Canxida) contains walnut.
Which vitamins can I take if I’m pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding?
Honed has researched the increased metabolic and nutritional demands experienced with pregnancy and breastfeeding for over 20 years. Our personalized programs provide pregnant and breastfeeding mothers with the optimized nutrition and supplements for you and baby. Reach out to us if either of these changes occur once already on the program as your subscription will need to be adjusted to reflect your new nutritional needs. We also recommend discussing your supplements and assessment results with your doctor or healthcare professional.
How long do I have to wait to experience the results?
Wellness is personal and long-lasting health doesn't come overnight. Some people report experiencing improvements in their overall wellbeing in just weeks. We recommend sticking to your personalized program for at least three months to realize the full benefits. Re-testing allows you to understand and monitor the changes to your health overtime.
Should I share the insights with my doctor?
We advise you share information about anything that you are ingesting with your healthcare professional.
I’ve started taking my subscription and I noticed my urine is yellow, why is that?
The yellow in your pee is a little bit of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) gradually being released. You can read more about why this is a good thing here.
What lab do you use? Where is it located?
Our trusted partner, Trace Elements Inc., conducts all our hair testing. They are internationally recognized as the gold standard in Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) and currently serve health professionals in 46 countries. They are based in Addison, Texas.
Is my information safe? How is it kept private?
We prioritize the protection of your data; any personal information or payment details shared with us is kept completely confidential, per HIPAA regulations. The same can be said for our partners. Trace Elements Inc. keeps any information related to hair tests completely confidential by law, except for certain situations as permitted under HIPAA. To find out more about TEI’s privacy policy, visit their website.
How much do subscriptions cost?
We offer four levels of subscription, because some people want a foundational plan and some want it all. All four levels ensure you get nutrients personalized to your specific needs. Your assessment will include a subscription recommendation to help guide you. The four levels are Essential, Enhanced, Optimized and Therapeutic. When you get your assessment, you will see your own personalized version of each. Pricing within each level ranges depending on individual needs – starting at $42/month.
Where do you ship?
We ship to the USA and Canada.
Can I return my vitamins?
We are unable to accept returns or issue refunds after they have shipped, nor are we responsible for products that are lost or stolen during shipping.
Why can’t I order a test kit from New York?
Honed products and services are currently unavailable in the state of New York (USA) due to state regulatory restrictions. Honed is unable to ship test kits to New York, and unable to process samples collected or shipped from the state of New York. If you choose to have a Honed kit shipped to an alternate residence outside New York, then your sample must be collected and shipped from that location.