A new study by Consumer Reports found dangerous carcinogens, heavy metals, and other toxins like VOCs, benzene, and lead in all tested popular brands of synthetic braiding hair, which many Black women use as a safer alternative to chemical relaxers. This discovery raises significant health concerns, linking exposure to increased cancer risk and organ damage, and highlights a lack of transparency in beauty product ingredients.
Many Black women consider synthetic braids safe. A study found toxins in all the brands it tested
Women's hairBlack US cultureHealthUnited StatesBeautySocietyWomen
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️A new study by Consumer Reports found dangerous carcinogens, heavy metals, and other toxins like VOCs, benzene, and lead in all tested popular brands of synthetic braiding hair, which many Black women use as a safer alternative to chemical relaxers. This discovery raises significant health concerns, linking exposure to increased cancer risk and organ damage, and highlights a lack of transparency in beauty product ingredients.
Trending- 1 1960s: Natural hair movement began.
- 2 2017: Dr Kristian Edwards founded BLK+GRN.
- 3 2020: University of Colorado Boulder pilot study identified VOCs in heated synthetic hair.
- 4 2022: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences study found perms increased uterine cancer risk.
- 5 2023: Chrystal Thomas suffered adverse reaction after getting braids.
- 6 Last month: Environmental Working Group analysis found hazards in Black beauty products.
- 7 Recently: Consumer Reports study found toxins in synthetic braiding hair.
- Health risks for users of synthetic braiding hair (respiratory issues, nausea, fatigue, increased cancer risk, organ damage, leukemia, lead exposure)
- Public outcry and calls for federal regulation
- Class-action lawsuits against chemical straightener manufacturers
- Increased demand for non-toxic alternatives
- Need for more research and product testing
What: A Consumer Reports study found dangerous toxins (VOCs, benzene, lead) in all tested popular brands of synthetic braiding hair, raising health concerns for Black women who use these products.
When: Published June 7, 2025; "in recent years" (scrutiny on personal care products); 2022 (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences study); 2020 (University of Colorado Boulder pilot study); 2017 (Kristian Edwards founded BLK+GRN); 2023 (Chrystal Thomas suffered adverse reaction); last month (Environmental Working Group analysis).
Where: New York (Albert Einstein College of Medicine), Colorado (University of Colorado Boulder).
Why: Black women turned to natural hairstyles like braids to avoid toxic chemicals in relaxers; new research reveals synthetic braiding hair also contains dangerous substances; lack of transparency in beauty product ingredients.
How: Consumer Reports conducted a study testing 10 popular brands of synthetic braiding hair; researchers considered exposure scenarios (ingestion, hot water dipping, singeing); previous studies (University of Colorado Boulder, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) contributed to the understanding.