Benzene and Lead Found in Synthetic Braiding Hair Used in Protective Styles

Protective hairstyles—like knotless braids, twists, and feed-ins—are more than aesthetic. They preserve our edges and our peace. They’re steeped in tradition, culture, and care. But according to a recent investigation by Consumer Reports, many of the most commonly used synthetic braiding hair brands may also be exposing wearers to harmful levels of toxic chemicals, including benzene and lead.

The investigation tested ten of the most popular synthetic hair brands sold at beauty supply stores across the U.S., including Magic Fingers, Sensationnel, Shake-N-Go, and X-Pression. The results showed that all ten brands contained volatile organic compounds. Benzene, a known carcinogen linked to leukemia, was found in every sample. Lead was found in nine out of ten products, raising significant health concerns, especially for children and pregnant women.

Styling techniques commonly used during braid installations—such as dipping the hair in boiling water or using heat to seal the ends—can cause these chemicals to vaporize. As noted by researchers interviewed in the report, that vapor can be inhaled during installation and wear. These fumes are not merely irritants; benzene exposure through inhalation is considered one of the most dangerous routes of contact and has been documented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to cause blood disorders and increase the risk of certain cancers.

Dr. Tamarra James-Todd, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explained that the risk is magnified by frequency and duration of use. Inhaling or absorbing these compounds repeatedly over long periods—especially in warm conditions or when sleeping in the hair—can lead to cumulative exposure. According to Dr. James-Todd’s own published work, exposure to environmental toxins through personal care products has already been linked to disruptions in hormone regulation and reproductive health in Black women at disproportionate rates.

While the European Union bans more than 1,600 hazardous chemicals in cosmetic and personal care products, the United States restricts fewer than 30. That leaves a regulatory gap that synthetic hair manufacturers can exploit. In the case of synthetic braiding hair, which falls into the category of fashion accessories rather than personal care items, oversight is even thinner. The Food and Drug Administration does not currently require synthetic hair products to be tested or labeled for toxic chemical content.

In the absence of regulation, companies are not obligated to disclose what chemicals are used during the manufacturing or finishing process. Several brands tested in the Consumer Reports investigation declined to comment or disputed the methodology, while others claimed their products were safe but offered no testing data or certifications to verify those claims.

This discovery comes amid a rising wave of consumer demand for ingredient transparency, particularly from Black women who make up a significant portion of the synthetic hair market. According to a 2022 Nielsen report, Black consumers spend more than $2 billion annually on haircare, with synthetic braiding hair making up a sizable share of that figure. The synthetic hair industry as a whole is valued at nearly $3 billion in the U.S., with few publicly enforced quality control standards.

A separate investigation published by PopSugar noted that heat-treated synthetic hair can emit not only benzene, but additional VOCs like acetone and butanone, both of which are respiratory irritants. These compounds can trigger migraines, asthma, and skin inflammation, especially when worn for extended periods or in close contact with the scalp.

While brands like Rebundle, Ruka, and Dosso Beauty have introduced biodegradable and hypoallergenic synthetic hair alternatives, they currently represent a small portion of the market and are often priced above the reach of everyday consumers. Nonetheless, these companies have made headlines in outlets like Byrdie for their efforts to develop cleaner, safer options for protective styling.

This latest report offers a stark reminder that for Black women, even a culturally rooted and protective practice like braiding can be undermined by unsafe products and a lack of regulatory oversight. The tension between tradition and toxicity is not new, but it is increasingly urgent.

Hair is personal. It is political. It is sacred. The products we use to celebrate and preserve it should never leave us vulnerable to invisible harm.