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Photo: Pexels/ Gabriel Frank: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-a-person-s-braided-hair-11482130/ By Karla Montalvan February 28, 2025 – 09:00 For several decades, synthetic hair has been used by African American women and Afro-Latinas for braiding and wigs. From cultural ties to the latest hair trends, braids are often used as a versatile and stylish alternative among women, men, and children alike. However, new findings by Consumer Reports show that synthetic braids expose users to chemical compounds that can lead to health risks such as hormonal disruption and cancer. The study tested ten prominent synthetic braiding hair product brands, including Sassy Collection, Sensationnel, Shake-N-Go, Magic Fingers, and more, finding that all of them contained carcinogens and other chemical compounds. “Synthetic braiding hair is widely used by Black women and children across the U.S., often worn for weeks at a time,” James Rogers, Director and Head of Product Safety Testing for Consumer Reports said. “As a father of two Black daughters, I know firsthand that getting braids is part of the culture, and alternatives to synthetic hair aren’t always accessible or affordable.” “Yet, despite its popularity, most synthetic braiding hair products lack ingredient disclosure, and they’re often worn for weeks at a time, potentially exposing consumers—and braiders—to toxic chemicals for prolonged periods,” he added. Dominican American hairstylist Ona Diaz-Santin , also known as “The Hair Saint,” weighed in on her recommendations for synthetic hair usage telling HipLatina : Stay connected! Subscribe now and get the latest on culture, empowerment, and more. SIGN ME UP! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google Privacy Policy and the Terms of Service . Thank You! You are already subscribed to our newsletter “I think it’s really important to vet out proper brands that are reputable and provide quality products,” she says. “If someone has concerns, opting for human hair is a great alternative since it often offers a more natural look and feel. It really comes down to finding what works best for you and what you feel comfortable using.” Braiding goes beyond hairstyling, it’s rooted in culture The history of braiding is rich and extensive, with roots dating back to nearly 5,000 years ago in ancient Africa, with cornrows believed to be the oldest braiding style. According to clean hair care brand Odele , braids were not only used for styling, their patterns represented individual tribes, marital status, and their role within their community. Additionally, braids are considered “protective hairstyles,” meaning they keep hair tucked away and free from manipulation, such as brushing or washing. Many celebrities, including Keke Palmer, Beyoncé, Gabrielle Union, and Snoop Dogg, have sported braids as part of their style. Their intricate designs, beauty, versatility, ease, and demand have made synthetic braiding products popular and readily accessible to consumers. Many brands offer packs of synthetic braiding hair for just a few dollars, and zero to no regulation on product safety. This poses a serious issue, particularly for Black women, who serve as the largest consumers of synthetic hair and wigs in the United States. Still, the reality is that the cost of using these materials may not be worth their use. Fashion Blogger Monica Veloz, who goes by @monicastylemuse on Instagram, tells HipLatina how the ease of using synthetic hair allows her to keep her hair care routines as low-maintenance as possible, however, she’s careful in selecting the right styles. “I always try to use hair that I know allow my day to day to be as low maintenance as possible,” she says. “Using synthetic hair can be a lot more affordable, yes, but it can be washed or applied heat to so its often times not my preferred hair to use while I’m in a protective style unless its knotless braids or braiding my hair back into some cornrows.” Adding, “I have seen that synthetic hair has become or according to research is hazardous. The other option in my opinion would be to use human hair of course but it is expensive, I do hope we can find other solutions because buying human hair isn’t always cost effective although it has more longevity” Consumer Reports began testing and evaluating chemicals found in synthetic braiding materials after reports of consumers showing adverse reactions to synthetic braids became more common. In 2024, Chrystal G. Thomas published an article after her personal experiences using synthetic braids . “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.” Her research on carcinogenic materials in synthetic braids questioned their safety, particularly the use of a copolymer of modacrylic and vinyl chloride used in making them. The research also displayed alarming statistics showing how many people were exposed to carcinogens and other chemicals. Black women led the figures. In 2022, 34 percent of adult African American female internet users claimed they wore synthetic braid extensions within the last three years. African American women were also the largest consumers of braids, with products valued at $2.79 billion in 2023. “What is unique about braid extensions is the length of exposure users have to them,” Thomas added. “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.” The findings from Consumer Reports corroborate much of Thomas’s research. Out of the ten popular synthetic braiding hair products tested for heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). The results showed carcinogens in 100 percent of the samples. Additionally, lead was found in nine out of 10 products, and other volatile organic compounds, including acetone, were found in all products. During testing, the organization focused on determining the chemicals present, the amount present, and the possible risks for consumers. Benzene, a carcinogen known for causing acute myeloid leukemia was detected in three products. Even more, all the samples also contained another possible carcinogen, methlyne chloride. Combined exposure to heavy metals and chemicals increases cancer risks, respiratory issues, and other hormonal issues. In some products, these materials were found in smaller doses, leaving room for improvement among suppliers. These issues are worsened by prolonged exposure and are most harmful for children who wear braids made of synthetic hair. Consumer Reports states lead levels are most harmful for children and can delay and impair brain development, as well as cause developmental issues. Despite their findings, the report also showed some brands had lower amounts of lead and VOC’s present, showing there is a possibility of creating safer products. While Consumer Reports reached out to the brands tested, only Sensationnel and Magic Fingers responded. “We unequivocally stand by the safety of Sensationnel products, and our company urges consumers to continue to confidently use Sensationnel products,” Sensationnel said in a statement. “At Hair Zone/Sensationnel, we pride ourselves on producing the finest quality hair products on the market. As a family-run business with a 35-year history, we value the trust and loyalty of our customers around the world and take the safety of our products seriously. We are constantly evaluating our materials and processes with customer safety in mind.” Preventing adverse reactions to synthetic braiding While the report reveals alarming results regarding synthetic hair braiding, consumers are likely to continue using these products. Among the most common adverse effects of synthetic braiding are skin reactions. In the study, Rogers recalls symptoms such as “redness, swelling, and rashes on the scalp, neck or face.” Consumer Reports also claims it is a common complaint right after installation from braid users. “This is often attributed to the chemical coatings on the fibers (pesticides, plastics, acrylic, etc.), including those with alkaline bases,” Rogers added. However, while lack of transparency and ingredient labeling remain a challenge, there are ways in which users can protect their hair and select products that are less harmful to their health. Dominican American entrepreneur Mariel Mejia, founder of natural hair care line Pink Root, and a user of synthetic hair herself, tells HipLatina “It’s affordable, accessible, and allows for versatility, but scalp health is key, especially with long-term use.” “Concerns about chemicals in synthetic fibers are valid, and while not all synthetic hair is harmful, some can cause irritation or allergic reactions,” Mejia says. “I usually pre-soak braiding hair in an apple cider vinegar rinse before installing to remove any coatings that might cause discomfort. Kanekalon or human hair alternatives tend to be gentler, though they can be pricier.” Mejia also recommends giving the scalp a break from using protective styles. “Protective styles should actually protect and breaks are essential. Wearing them back-to-back can lead to tension-related damage, especially since synthetic hair can be heavy,” she adds. “Letting your hair breathe, keeping it hydrated with a good leave-in conditioner, and gently cleansing the scalp in between installs will help keep natural hair strong and healthy.” To support consumers and educate the public, Consumer Reports petitioned the United States Food and Safety Administration (FDA) to hold companies accountable for using harmful chemicals in synthetic hair products. The petition asks the FDA to investigate synthetic braiding hair and set strict standards to limit the use of carcinogens and heavy metals. Additionally, they asked the agency to require companies to disclose a full list of ingredients on the products for customers to know what they are using. “It’s appalling that toxic chemicals are in these products with so little scrutiny from those who are supposed to protect people, like the FDA. Consumers should never have to risk their health when choosing personal care products, and yet, harmful ingredients in products marketed to Black women continue to go unaddressed,” Oriene Shin, Manager of Safety Advocacy for Consumer Reports , said in a statement. “This inaction has failed Black women for too long, and policymakers should take the steps necessary to address these gaps and hold companies accountable that put consumers at risk.” While regulation efforts continue, the report provides additional guidance for limiting exposure to harmful toxins. Among them are limiting prolonged use of braids, keeping braids loose to minimize irritation, doing a patch test on a small section of your skin with braids, choosing alternative products or brands marketed as non-toxic, and reporting adverse reactions.: Diaz-Santin also suggests seeking out a professional opinion to implement proper hair care and styling: “The first step is to have a consultation with your texture specialist to create a proper maintenance regimen tailored to your hair. This includes both salon visits and at-home care,” she explains. “From there, I recommend booking a one-on-one session to learn how to style your hair and discover which products work best for your specific texture. This personalized approach can make a huge difference in how you care for and style your hair!” In this Article afro latina Consumer Reports Hair Braiding Mariel Mejia Monica Veloz Ona Diaz-Santin Pink Root Synthetic Hair More on this topic News and Entertainment Zoe Saldaña and ‘I’m Still Here’ Make History at 2025 Oscars March 03, 2025 – 12:00 News and Entertainment Trans Woman Estrella Santos-Zacaría Fears Deportation Back to Guatemala February 27, 2025 – 12:12 News and Entertainment Zoe Saldaña Makes History with SAG Awards Win February 25, 2025 – 10:00 News and Entertainment The Dismantling of DEI is Personal and It’s Devastating February 24, 2025 – 16:01
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