February 28, 2025
Scientists examined 10 common artificial braiding hair merchandise to see in the event that they comprise heavy metals and unstable natural compounds (VOCs).
Horror tales from Black girls and their expertise with common artificial braiding hair manufacturers prompted scientific testing to search out out what’s inflicting medical points, based on Client Experiences.
As Black girls have been sporting protecting kinds for many years, new revelations might spotlight that they do extra hurt than wanting good. Scientists examined 10 common artificial braiding hair merchandise to see in the event that they comprise heavy metals and unstable natural compounds (VOCs) and located carcinogens, lead, and VOCs reminiscent of acetone.
In 2023, a scholar on the Albert Einstein Faculty of Medication and the Metropolis College of New York, Chrystal Thomas, began to really feel extreme discomfort after getting braids utilizing artificial hair model Kanekalon. Shortly after receiving the service, Thomas stated she couldn’t sleep, felt irritation in her throat and the odor induced her to have bother specializing in her work. “The odor wouldn’t go away even after washing my hair a number of instances,” she stated.
She eliminated the braids after only a week and a half — which is uncommon, as Black girls are likely to put on kinds for a number of weeks — and began to analyze doable well being points that may very well be linked to braiding hair. Thomas revealed her findings in a commentary article highlighting the dangers of carcinogenic supplies in hair merchandise concentrating on Black girls and mentioning the query of artificial hair security. Some merchandise are made with a copolymer of modacrylic and vinyl chloride, along with different chemical substances linked to hostile well being results. “What is exclusive about braid extensions is the size of publicity customers should them,” Thomas stated.
“Artificial braids are sometimes worn for about 4 to 6 weeks. Black girls and different people who use artificial hair are, due to this fact, uncovered to these substances constantly throughout that point.”
In 2023, reviews confirmed the U.S. marketplace for these merchandise was valued at near $3 billion, with the anticipation of reaching $6.34 billion by 2029. With Black girls being the first customers of such merchandise, testing reveals how excessive utilization could also be probably placing Black communities in danger.
Scientist Eric Boring stated the artificial braiding hair manufacturers examined — together with Sensationnel, Sassy Assortment, Magic Fingers, Shake-N-Go, and extra — all contained a number of carcinogens, together with three merchandise that contained benzene, identified for inflicting acute myeloid leukemia. Rogers stated the carcinogen is “discouraged to make use of in laboratories due to its potential to trigger most cancers.” Two different merchandise contained an animal carcinogen, and all samples contained methylene chloride, a possible carcinogen.
Regardless of the findings, manufacturers like Hair Zone/Sensationnel and Magic Fingers defended their merchandise, releasing a press release saying they “unequivocally stand by the security of Sensationnel merchandise, and our firm urges shoppers to proceed to confidently use Sensationnel merchandise,” based on ABC 6. “We strongly stand by the security of our merchandise and the standard supplies used to make them,” Magic Fingers stated.
Earlier than buying and putting in merchandise in your head, consultants advocate that Black girls examine for product remembers, learn labels rigorously, and restrict the length of the type as a precaution to scale back well being dangers.
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