Getting an accurate inflammation reading takes less than 5 minutes. Follow these steps to get the best results every time.
The Sensa test vial included in your kit. Make sure it hasn't been opened yet.
iPhone or Android. The Sensa app runs right in your browser, no download needed. Open it at the link below.
Natural light or a bright indoor light. The camera needs to read the vial color accurately.
For the most accurate results, follow these preparation guidelines in the hour before your test.
Avoid coffee, tea, energy drinks, or any caffeinated beverage. Caffeine affects inflammatory markers and takes approximately 5–6 hours to metabolize.
Avoid alcohol at least 3 hours before testing. Alcohol is eliminated at approximately 15–18 mg/dL per hour and can affect your results.
Avoid eating for at least one hour before collecting your sample.
Do not brush your teeth in the hour before testing, as this can introduce debris or blood into the sample.
Avoid physical exercise for at least one hour before testing. Exercise has been shown to temporarily increase salivary inflammation markers.
These guidelines ensure your CRP reading reflects your body's true baseline inflammation, not temporary spikes from food, drink, or activity.
Open the Sensa app in your phone's browser at app.sensawellness.org. Sign in or create your free account. Tap Scan Now on the home screen.
Make sure your phone battery is above 20% and your camera lens is clean.
Remove your Sensa vial from its sealed packaging. Do not shake or squeeze the vial. Hold it upright by the sides and avoid touching the bottom where the reagent is.
Follow the instructions included in your kit to introduce your saliva sample into the vial. Seal the vial and hold it upright for 60 seconds while the reagent activates.
In the Sensa app, tap Scan Now. Hold your vial steady within the camera frame. The app will show you exactly where to position it. Keep your hand still and ensure the vial is well-lit.
Use a white background or flat surface behind the vial for the most accurate color reading.
Tap the scan button. The app's camera will read the color result your vial has developed and log your wellness score. This takes just a few seconds.
Your wellness score will appear on screen immediately. The app will save your result to your history and generate a personalized wellness plan based on your scan.
Your Sensa reading gives you two key pieces of information:
C-reactive protein is a clinically validated blood marker for systemic inflammation. The Sensa test kit reacts to your saliva sample to develop its color result; the app simply reads that result.
| Level | CRP Range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Low | < 1.0 mg/dL | Low systemic inflammation |
| Moderate | 1.0–3.0 mg/dL | Moderate risk, worth monitoring |
| High | > 3.0 mg/dL | Elevated. Consider lifestyle changes. |
Your score is calculated from your kit's color result and gives you a simple number to track over time. Lower is better.
Track your score over time using the History tab in the Sensa app to see how your lifestyle choices affect your inflammation levels.
See the App →If you are conducting a clinical study or administering Sensa in a research or healthcare setting, the following guidelines are recommended to ensure sample integrity and data reliability.
“We also urge researchers to have participants restrict food intake and teeth brushing at least one hour prior to sample collection to eliminate the potential for debris or blood in the sample. Caffeine and alcohol should also be avoided prior to collection. The half-life of caffeine is approximately 5–6 hours, and the ethanol elimination rate is between 15–18 mg/dL per hour. Therefore, we recommend researchers have participants restrict their caffeine and alcohol use for at least 3 hours before sample collection. Since exercise has been shown to increase levels of salivary markers of inflammation (Minetto et al., 2007; Minetto et al., 2005), we also recommend having participants avoid exercising for at least one hour prior the study procedure. Several previous studies have provided these or similar guidelines to their participants (e.g., Auer et al., 2018; Szabo et al., 2019).”
For questions about research applications or bulk ordering for clinical studies, contact us at Info@sensawellness.org.
Open the Sensa app, follow these steps, and get your first reading in under 5 minutes.