Braiding hair and extensions commonly used by Black women may contain harmful chemicals also found in pipes, pesticides, flame retardants, and plastic stabilizers.
Researchers at the Silent Spring Institute tested 43 synthetic and human hair products purchased online and from beauty supply stores, identifying 169 chemicals in total. Their findings, published in the journal Environment & Health on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, showed that 41 of the 43 products contained hazardous chemicals.
Lead study author Elissia Franklin said only two “safe” brands — Spetra and Latched & Hooked — had “non-toxic” or “toxic-free” labels, NBC News reports.
Among the chemicals found was benzyl chloride, a possible carcinogen used to make sanitizers and plastics. Seventeen chemicals have links to breast cancer, including dibutyl phthalate and DEHP, which make plastics more flexible, notes the outlet. Four samples of unspecified synthetic hair also contained 23 organotin compounds, which researchers tied to cancer and hormone disruption.
“We were especially surprised to find organotins,” Franklin said in a statement. “These are commonly used as heat stabilizers in PVC and have been linked with skin irritation, which is a common complaint among hair extension users.”
Study Highlights Ongoing Health Disparities For Black Women
Researchers identified a dozen chemicals listed under California Proposition 65, also called the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. The legislation requires warnings for substances linked to cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm, according to NBC News.
“The cultural significance of hair paired with perceived protective styling drives Black women to be major consumers of these products,” the study notes. “Collins et al. showed that more than 70% of Black women wore hair extensions at least once per year compared to less than 10% of Latina, Vietnamese, and White women.”
Dr. Chris Pernell, director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity, was not involved in the study. However, he told NBC News that consumers can inhale chemicals from synthetic braiding hair or absorb them through the scalp, leading to irritation, burning, and redness.
Braiders and stylists may face a higher risk through repeated skin contact, Pernell notes, per NBC News.
“This is an industry that has long overlooked the health of Black women, who should not have to choose between cultural expression, convenience, and their health,” Franklin told the outlet.
For consumers concerned about braiding hair, wigs, or extensions, Franklin recommends choosing brands labeled “non-toxic” or “toxin-free,” per the outlet. She also says rinsing hair with apple cider vinegar may reduce some chemical residues. Pernell suggests limiting the use of synthetic styles, exploring plant-based alternatives, and pushing for safer products through consumer advocacy.
