Dangerous chemicals were detected in 100% of the braiding hair we tested

> * All the synthetic braiding hair products we tested contained multiple carcinogens. Three products contained benzene, a known carcinogen that causes acute myeloid leukemia. “It is strictly regulated and discouraged to use in laboratories because of its potential to cause cancer,” Rogers says. Two products contained an animal carcinogen, and all the samples contained a probable carcinogen, methylene chloride. See the chart below for the full list of known, probable, and possible carcinogens that were detected. Also, see our full test results (PDF).*

> Rogers and his team determined that the nine samples in which lead was detected all exceeded the level deemed safe by experts… We used those levels because there are no federal limits for the amount of lead in synthetic braiding hair

> CR contacted all the brands for comment about the test results. Only two, Sensationnel and Magic Fingers, responded. … Neither company responded to questions about whether or not they test their products for lead, VOCs, or other contaminants before they go to market.

> “There’s no doubt about it that this actually needs a very intensive evaluation because the use is so widespread amongst a specific population,” she says.