Consumer Reports tested 10 of the most popular synthetic hair used for braiding. It revealed the presence of lead as well as chemicals linked to cancer.
Synthetic hair used for braids and other styles popular among Black women and girls contains an array of potentially harmful chemicals, according to a new study, including known carcinogens and lead.
Overview:
Braids, especially those using synthetic hair, are more popular than ever. The market for these hairstyles generated $2.7 billion last year and is expected to continue growing.
Braided styles are favored for their beauty and ease of maintenance, with synthetic hair allowing for durable, low-maintenance hairstyles. However, a laboratory analysis conducted by Consumer Reports has revealed that the synthetic hair commonly used for box braids and faux locs may carry hidden risks beyond the stylist’s fee.
The study found that all 10 of the most popular synthetic hair braiding products tested contained chemicals linked to cancer. Some of the samples also tested positive for lead, a toxic substance, as well as harmful chemicals such as acetone, which is used to strip paint.
Black women are the primary consumers of these products, and people of African descent represent the largest group of users of wigs and hair extensions. The brands tested included Magic Fingers, Sassy Collection, Sensationnel, Shake-N-Go, and many others.
Known as “protective styles,” braids are an attractive option for Black women because they can be worn for weeks without daily styling. One popular brand, Kaneka, produces the Kanekalon product, which gained so much popularity that it was even referenced in a viral TikTok song.
All of the Samples Contained Chemicals Linked to Cancer
Two years ago, Chrystal Thomas, a student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the City University of New York, began to question whether synthetic hair products like Kanekalon were really safe for her health.
“I couldn’t sleep well, my throat felt irritated, and I had trouble focusing on any type of work I was doing because of the smell,” she told Consumer Reports. “The smell wouldn’t go away even after washing my hair multiple times.”
Though women typically wear braids for about six weeks, Thomas removed her braids after only 10 days due to the discomfort. A public health student, she conducted her own research into the potential health risks associated with synthetic braiding hair. Her findings were published in a commentary article about the carcinogenic risks of hair products for Black women.
“What is unique about braid extensions is the length of exposure users have to them,” Thomas explains. “Synthetic braids are typically worn for about four to six weeks. Black women and other individuals who use synthetic hair are, therefore, exposed to those ingredients consistently during that time.”
Kaneka, the manufacturer of Kanekalon fibers, stated that it only produces the fibers used in synthetic hair products and does not make or distribute the final products sold to consumers. The company clarified that other companies process, dye, and distribute the finished products.
James E. Rogers, head of Consumer Reports’ product safety testing, led a team that tested samples from 10 of the most popular synthetic braiding products. The team focused on detecting heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), resulting in concerning findings.
All the samples contained chemicals linked to cancer, and nine out of 10 contained lead, a neurotoxin that can cause brain damage. In addition, the samples contained other chemicals suspected of being carcinogenic, as well as substances whose toxicity is still being studied.
Even more troubling, all 10 samples had high levels of VOCs, which are typically found in products like paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants. When heated during the braiding process, synthetic hair releases these VOCs into the air, creating a potential health risk.
The American Lung Association warns that breathing VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause nausea, damage the central nervous system, and in some cases, contribute to cancer.
Three of the products contained benzene, a known carcinogen that causes leukemia. Two products also contained an animal carcinogen, and all of the samples contained methylene chloride, a suspected carcinogen.
Consumer Reports also tested the products for heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Although none of the products tested contained detectable arsenic, nine of the 10 samples contained lead. According to Rogers, this level of lead exposure could pose a concern for regular users of these products over time.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other health organizations advise that no level of lead exposure is safe, especially for children. Prolonged lead exposure can cause severe health issues, including damage to the brain and nervous system, immune system suppression, reproductive problems, kidney damage, and high blood pressure.
Lead exposure is particularly harmful to children, who can experience developmental delays and impaired brain development when exposed to lead.