A recent study by Consumer Reports has raised concerns over the safety of synthetic hair products, widely used for braids, extensions, and other hairstyles popular with Black women. The report, released Thursday, found that 10 synthetic hair products, including those from well-known brands like Magic Fingers, Sensationnel, and Shake-N-Go, contained ingredients that could pose serious health risks.
The study revealed that synthetic hair from nine out of the ten products tested contained lead, a substance known to cause developmental and health problems. In one instance, a braiding hair sample exceeded the legal limit for lead by more than 600%. The study used California’s strict lead exposure limits, which are considered the most protective in the U.S., since federal regulations for lead in synthetic hair products do not exist.
Synthetic hair is a popular choice for protective hairstyles, such as braids, locs, and twists, which can be worn for extended periods, sometimes weeks at a time. While these styles help prevent hair damage and reduce heat exposure, they also increase the risk of prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals, the study noted.
The synthetic hair found in many beauty supply stores and online is often made from Kanekalon, a material produced by the Kaneka brand. Although Kaneka did not immediately respond to inquiries, it clarified to Consumer Reports that it only manufactures the fibers used in synthetic hair products, while the final products, including dyes and styles, are created by other companies.
The Consumer Reports study also found other harmful chemicals, such as benzene, a known carcinogen linked to acute myeloid leukemia, and methylene chloride, which can cause liver and lung cancer after prolonged exposure. Both substances are banned in cosmetic products by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Lead exposure can lead to developmental disabilities in children and reproductive issues in adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite its harmful effects, no federal standards limit the amount of lead in synthetic braiding hair. Experts recommend avoiding exposure to chemicals like lead and benzene due to their serious health risks.
Brands like Magic Fingers, Sensationnel, and Shake-N-Go did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Magic Fingers defended its products, stating that its customers could trust them for high fashion and performance. Sensationnel also affirmed the safety of its products, although both brands disagreed with the testing methods used in the study.
In addition to these concerns, the study highlights a troubling trend of toxic products being marketed to Black women. This follows a 2022 class-action lawsuit filed against chemical hair relaxer manufacturers, where hundreds of Black women claimed the products caused uterine cancer. Numerous studies have also shown higher rates of cancer and other health issues among women who use chemical hair relaxers.
Alexa Friedman, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), said the study underscores the dangerous trend of harmful products being targeted at Black women. “Repeated exposure to mixtures of chemicals can be far more harmful than exposure to a single ingredient,” she said.
The EWG has reviewed more than 4,000 products marketed to Black women and found that most of them pose moderate to high health risks. Through its Skin Deep database, the group provides consumers with information about the safety of beauty products.
“Everyone deserves access to safe products,” Friedman emphasized. “Manufacturers must prioritize consumer safety.”
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