A new study by the Silent Spring Institute has raised fresh concerns about the safety of synthetic and human hair extensions widely used by Black women.
Researchers tested 43 hair products purchased online and from beauty supply stores and detected 169 chemicals, including flame retardants, pesticides, and plastic-stabilizing compounds. According to the findings, 12 of the identified substances appear on California’s Proposition 65 list, which flags chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.
The study also found that 17 of the detected compounds have been associated with breast cancer and were present in 36 of the tested samples. Previous research has similarly identified carcinogens and lead in certain popular braiding hair brands.
Beyond hair extensions, chemical hair relaxers and straighteners have also come under scrutiny. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reported in a 2022 study that frequent use of chemical straighteners was linked to more than double the risk of developing uterine cancer. Additionally, findings from the 2023 Black Women’s Health Study showed a 50% increased risk of uterine cancer among postmenopausal Black women who regularly used hair relaxers.
Health experts warn that exposure to these chemicals may occur through scalp absorption, inhalation during styling, or hand-to-mouth contact. Dr. Chris Pernell, director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity, cautioned that braiders and stylists may face elevated risks due to prolonged and repeated exposure.
The findings have intensified calls for stronger product regulation, clearer ingredient disclosure, and increased awareness of potential health risks linked to commonly used hair products.
