A new study found cancer-causing chemicals in several synthetic hair brands used in a number of popular braiding styles.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Channel 2’s Audrey Washington talked to doctors and stylists who said the findings are not just alarming, but a national health emergency.
“So, today my client is getting a style called boho,” said hairstylist Dionne James.
Braids date back at least 30,000 years.
From cornrows to boho braids, for centuries women, particularly Black women and girls, have worn these styles for beauty, self-expression and protection.
“A protective style is when you’re letting, you’re giving your own hair a rest. You’re not combing it every day, so it’s not shedding,” James said.
But what happens when that protective style stops protecting?
“I have suffered from benign tumors, so now I’m starting to think that maybe it may correlate to the hair. I don’t know, you know?” James said.
RELATED STORY:
Cancer-causing chemicals in synthetic braiding hair ‘environmental racism,’ health professionals say
A new study from Consumer Reports raised serious concerns about synthetic hair used in braiding.
“I was scared. I was completely just freaking out,” James said.
According to the report, scientists tested 10 synthetic hair brands. The lab tests found cancer-causing chemicals in all 10, and the chemical benzene in three.
“Benzene is mostly linked to leukemias,” said Carmen J. Marsit, Ph.D., a chemist and Emory University Professor of Environmental Health.
Channel 2 Action News reached out to all 10 companies whose products were tested.
Two responded, stating their products are safe and questioning the testing methods:
Magic Fingers said it is proud of the trusted and top-quality hair products it provides to customers.
“Our customers know they can count on us for braids and extensions that meet their highest expectations for fashion and performance,” said a magic Fingers spokesperson. “The unusual testing methods employed by Consumer Reports do not fairly match the real-world way that our customers use our Braiding Hair.”
A Sensationnel spokesperson said they pride themselves on producing the finest quality hair products on the market and are constantly evaluating materials and processes with customer safety in mind.
“The claims and conclusions presented by the Consumer Reports study are unfounded and misleading,” they said. “Its study used a harsh and unusual testing methodology on hair braiding products that are clearly not intended for ingestion.
“We strongly disagree with the claims Consumer Reports makes about the potential risk to consumers that could arise from the safe and common use of our products. We unequivocally stand by the safety of Sensationnel products, and our company urges consumers to continue to confidently use Sensationnel products.”
Marsit explained how simply wearing hair with toxins in it can be harmful.
“I mean all of these are very airborne chemicals, so they’re going to be gassing off of the product, and it’s near your face. So, that’s in your breathing zone,” Marsit said.
He also broke down exactly how the chemical disrupts the body.
“This chemical that can go in and bind to your DNA and lead to mutations. And so, with that it could go on to form a cancer,” he said.
He said even when the hair is dipped in hot water or burned at the ends to keep it from unraveling, the fumes released can put both the client and the hairstylist in danger.
“They’re going to end up in the air even more strongly than they would be just coming off the fibers,” Marsit said.
“Did people just assume the synthetic hair is safe?” asked Audrey Washington.
“Absolutely,” answered hairstylist Dionne James.
“They can feel almost as if ants are crawling on their scalp,” said dermatologist Dr. Alia Brown.
She said in addition to the link to cancer, toxic braiding hair can cause rashes and other skin complications.
“They’re getting this constant contact with these harsh chemicals. And unfortunately, there’s just not enough regulation both for the stylist themselves but also the patients,” Brown said.
Dr. Abayomi Jones is a physician and an attorney.
She has done research on harmful hair care products and points to loose federal regulations as to why toxic products are so readable accessible.
“Having an industry this large be able to essentially regulate itself means that there are a lot of things that slip through the cracks,” said Dr. Jones.
Health experts told Washington for braiding it is best to invest in organic hair made with banana fibers.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
