Are There Cancer-Causing Ingredients In Our Braiding Hair?

Synthetic braiding hair has been a staple in protective hairstyles for us black women. Not only are they longer periods of time, they also give our natural hair a break from day-to-day styling. Synthetic braiding hair has also been a way for us to switch up our hairstyles and color and to simply experiment with our hair. Unfortunately, the past couple of years there has been a lot of articles and videos published linked to the chemicals used in the production of our synthetic hair. Most recently there has been a lot of talk regarding the Consumer Report highlighting cancer causing chemicals found in our braiding hair, but how accurate is this study.

Dangers of Synthetic Braiding Hair

Consumer Reports (CR) tested two samples of each of 10 popular synthetic hair brands widely marketed to Black women for braids, extensions, and other hairstyles. The test, which focused on the presence of heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), found cancer-causing (carcinogenic) ingredients in all 10 synthetic hair products. Three of the products further contained benzene, nine had unsafe levels of lead, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like acetone were found in all of them.

These chemicals act like endocrine disrupters that can mess up the body’s normal hormonal system. They do not operate in isolation, but together, posing serious health risks. When you wear synthetic braids, they sit on your scalp and are then dermally absorbed or inhaled. If the hair was dipped in hot water during installation (a standard practice), it releases VOCs that irritate eyes, throat, and lungs. If someone touches

the hair and eats something, the hand-to-mouth transfer also makes the chemical enter the body. Once inside the body, the chemicals contribute to hormone disruption, reproductive harm, respiratory problems, and increased cancer risks.

How are Synthetic Hair Braids Made?

Many of the synthetic hair found in stores are made from modacrylic fiber, which is a mixture of polypropylene and resin. The most popular fiber is Kanekalon, a material produced by the Kaneka brand. However, Kaneka claims that it only manufactures Kanekalon fibers used in hair products like synthetic hair braids and wigs, but it is not involved in the production of the final products. Braiding hair companies are the ones responsible for dying and styling the fibers to match various customer needs.

Consumer Report found that braiding hair companies use several carcinogenic ingredients in production:

Some synthetic braiding hair products contain benzene, which is known to cause acute myeloid leukemia.
Synthetic hair contains methylene chloride, which can lead to liver and lung cancer after chronic exposure.
Most synthetic hair products contain Lead, which can cause developmental disabilities and brain damage in children, cardiovascular problems, kidney damage, and reproductive issues in adults.
Most synthetic hair products contain high levels of acetone, which is a respiratory irritant.

Although braiding companies have since responded to the claims and reassured customers of the quality and performance of their products, the presence of chemical contaminations remains a concern for consumers. The alarming trend of toxic products marketed toward black women poses far greater health risks. To make sure you are using safe products, look up their names or ingredients on the EWG Skin Deep Database.

What are the Safe Alternatives to Synthetic Hair?

Portrait of African-American woman with Synthetic braiding hair in box braids.

The Black hair industry is booming, with the U.S. market for hair wigs and extensions alone expected to reach $6.34 billion by 2029. Unfortunately, regulations around the safety of synthetic braiding hair remain scarce globally. So, how can you minimize potential risk, especially if braids are part of your go-to hair routine?

Human Hair Alternatives: They may be pricier, but human hair extensions eliminate the risk of synthetic chemical exposure.
Plastic-Free Braid Hair: Brands like Kynd and Rebundle offer plastic-free hair made from natural materials like organic cotton, hemp, and plant fiber.
Rinse Before Installing: If you must use synthetic hair, soak it in vinegar and water mix before braining to remove some of the chemical residue.
Pay Attention to Your Body: If you experience headaches, irritation, or respirator issues after braiding your hair, take them down immediately.
Support Transparency: Advocate for better industry regulations and contribute to the push for brands to disclose ingredients.

Should we stop wearing braiding hair?

@scisaac1
@Consumer Reports I had to work from home for this #hairtok #braidinghair #blackhairtiktok #protectivestyles #scisaac1 #fyp
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Not necessarily. Despite the controversy sparked by the CR study, several chemists have questioned its methodology. Javon Ford Beauty, a well-known chemist and social media influencer, discussed the study and concluded that its findings aren’t cause for alarm. Another favorite, Michelle from Lab Muffin Beauty Science, also dedicated a video to the topic. Additionally, cancer researcher @Scisaac1 weighed in with his own video analysis. This highlights the importance of nuance and doing your own research before drawing conclusions.

Key Takeaway

Despite being widely used by Black People because of their beauty and ease of maintenance, synthetic hair braids contain certain chemicals that may lead to health issues. As more information about the dangers of these hairs continues to emerge, alternatives such as human hair extension and plastic-free braid hair or going natural are worthy considerations. Especially since we can’t deny the fact that women suffer from scalp irritation and itchiness which isn’t healthy for our scalps.