*Researchers have found that 80 percent of over 4,000 beauty products, including synthetic braiding hair, marketed to Black women worldwide contained at least a moderately hazardous ingredient鈥攎any with undisclosed chemical content

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Women’s synthetic braiding hair from major brands has been found to contain carcinogens, heavy metals, and organic compounds.

绿帽献妻 gathered that Black women’s health is at risk from carcinogens, heavy metals contained in some leading brands of synthetic braiding hair.

The discovery is fast raising health concerns for Black women in the United States (US) and other parts of the world, a new Consumer Reports (CR) study said.

It is noted that for years, Black women have turned to natural hairstyles like braids as a healthy alternative to chemical hair straighteners鈥攑roducts long linked to fertility issues, scalp damage, and even cancer.

However, investigation has uncovered a disturbing irony: the synthetic hair used in several protective styles may also pose serious health risks, noted the report.

The CR study tested synthetic braiding hair from 10 popular brands, including Magic Fingers, The Sassy Collection, Shake-N-Go, Sensationnel, Darling, Debut, and Hbegant.

It was found that all the samples contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are the same chemicals found in paints and industrial solvents.

Some samples of the brands also contained benzene, a known carcinogen, and nine tested positive for lead levels above safe limits, report stated.

Commenting on the findings, Dr. James Rogers, Head of Product Safety Testing at CR, said: 鈥淓ven ingesting just a small amount of braiding hair material could possibly give you enough lead exposure to push you over the limit of what is considered safe.”

A toxic trade-off: Braids without chemicals, but not without risk

The company’s research casts a shadow over a powerful cultural and health movement.

Protective styles, such as box braids, twists, and knotless braids have grown in popularity in recent years as Black women abandoned harmful relaxers.

A 2022 study by the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences had discovered that women who frequently used chemical straighteners had more than double the risk of developing uterine cancer. The study tracked over 33,000 women for a period of 11 years.

As public concern mounted and class-action lawsuits were filed against chemical straightener manufacturers, braids became a beacon of safety and self-empowerment.

But even those chemical-free styles are under scrutiny now, report noted.

Chrystal Thomas, a medical student who wrote about her negative reaction to synthetic braiding hair in The Lancet, stated: 鈥淩epresentation in science matters.

“After installing braids in 2023, she experienced respiratory distress and a persistent chemical odour. 鈥淚 would have trouble breathing 鈥� my throat would feel like it was tightening.”

She later removed the braids within a week, report said.

How exposure happens beyond just wearing the hair

The CR study also found that toxic exposure occurs in multiple ways: When synthetic hair breaks apart, small plastic fibers can transfer to hands and be accidentally ingested.

Hair is often dipped in hot water or singed with fire to seal styles鈥攔eleasing chemicals into the air.

Prolonged wear of braids increases the window of ongoing contact and inhalation.

A 2020 pilot study by the University of Colorado Boulder similarly, found high levels of VOC emissions when synthetic hair was heated鈥攕upporting CR’s findings.

Lack of transparency and loose regulation

Dr. Kristian Edwards, Founder of BLK+GRN, a marketplace for Black-owned, non-toxic products, said the CR study had confirmed years of advocacy.

Edwards stated: 鈥淚t requires diligence on consumers to check and make sure all products are safe, which is disheartening.”

A recent Environmental Working Group (EWG) analysis as well showed that 80 percent of over 4,000 beauty products marketed to Black women contain at least one moderately hazardous ingredient鈥攎any with undisclosed chemical content.

Current regulatory systems don鈥檛 go far enough, Edwards said.

It is noted even if certain ingredients are banned, manufacturers can substitute equally harmful, lesser-known chemicals that haven鈥檛 been thoroughly studied, report said.

Recommended safer alternatives

Meanwhile, researchers are now advocating broader testing of braiding hair products, including human hair and plant-based options.

They also push for Federal regulation requiring full ingredient disclosure, as well as funding for research centered on the unique exposures Black consumers usually face.

Until safer alternatives are more accessible and better-regulated, the very products marketed as safe and empowering could continue exposing Black women and girls to hidden health risks, report stated.

Thomas also emphasised that 鈥渕y experience is not unique.

“Women have been speaking about this for years鈥攂ut no one was listening.鈥�

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