Toxic chemicals found in synthetic hair used for braids and extensions (2025)

Harmful substances were discovered in 10 synthetic hair products, often used by Black women to create braids and other hairstyles, according to a recently released Consumer Reports study.

Last year, the nonprofit Consumer Reports, which tests products and services and advocates for consumers, examined 10 artificial hair products from seven brands.

The seven brands included Sensationnel, Magic Fingers, Sassy Collection, Shake-N-Go, Hbegant, Debut, and Darling.

Lead, a highly toxic chemical that can cause serious health problems such as brain damage, was found in nine of the 10 artificial hair products tested, according to the study.

One of the synthetic hair products exceeded the maximum allowable lead levels by over 600%. Since there are no federal limits on lead in synthetic hair used for braiding, Consumer Reports used California’s maximum acceptable lead levels, according to the study.

There is no safe level of lead.

The study also found carcinogens, substances that may increase the risk of cancer, in 100% of the 20 synthetic hair samples tested. The study also detected other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including acetone, in all products.

Sensationnel, Magic Fingers and other products contained benzene, a colorless chemical that has been linked to cancer, the report said.

In addition, Methylene chloride, a chemical that can cause liver and lung cancer, was also discovered.

For decades, Black women have been the largest consumers of wigs, extensions and other artificial hair products, according to the study.

In 2023, the U.S. market for these products was valued at $2.8 billion and is projected to reach $6.3 billion by 2029, the study said.

Black girls and women use synthetic hair to create natural hairstyles for fashion or convenience, protect the hair from breakage, and eliminate heat styling tools.

However, by wearing braids, locs and twists for weeks or months, consumers are exposed to the chemicals longer.

“What is unique about braid extensions is the length of exposure users have to them,” Chrystal Thomas, a medical student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, said in the report. “Synthetic braids are typically worn for about four to six weeks.”

Thomas was inspired to help spearhead the initiative to test synthetic hair products after having a bad physical reaction the same day she got her hair professionally braided in 2023, according to the study.

“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,” Thomas, who used the popular synthetic hair brand Kanekalon, said in the study. “The smell wouldn’t go away, even after washing my hair multiple times.”

Ultimately, Thomas removed her braids only a week and a half later.

In response to the study, some brands provided statements to Consumer Reports, which were included in the study.

Kaneka, the brand that produces the material for Kanekalon braiding hair, said it “only manufactures the Kanekalon fibers that are used in various hair products, such as synthetic hair braids and wigs, and does not produce any of the final products.”

It added that it would need more information to fully analyze the complaints about its product.

Magic Fingers told Consumer Reports that customers “can count on us for braids and extensions that meet their highest expectations for fashion and performance.”

Sensationnel said it “unequivocally” stands by the safety of its product.

Magic Fingers and Sensationnel disagreed with the methodology used to test the products, stating it was not representative of consumers' use of their products.

Representatives for the Darling, Debut, Hbegant, Sassy Collection, and Shake-n-Go brands did not respond to Consumer Reports' request for comment on the study’s findings.

Mosaic staff writer Vashti Harris can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com.

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