by I. Edwards
Credit score: Pixabay/CC0 Public Area
Some standard artificial hair merchandise used for braids, twists and extensions might comprise cancer-causing chemical compounds and excessive ranges of lead, in keeping with a brand new investigation by Shopper Stories.
The report, printed Feb. 27, examined 10 artificial hair merchandise, together with manufacturers like Magic Fingers, Sensationnel and Shake-N-Go, that are extensively utilized in protecting types standard amongst Black girls.
Shopper Stories discovered benzene, a chemical identified to trigger acute myeloid leukemia, in addition to methylene chloride, which is linked to lung and liver most cancers after long-term publicity.
Makers of the merchandise downplayed the considerations, standing by their security.
No degree of methylene chloride is permitted in cosmetics by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA).
9 of the ten merchandise examined additionally contained lead, which may trigger developmental points in youngsters and reproductive issues in adults, in keeping with the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
As a result of protecting types like braids and locs are sometimes worn for weeks at a time, customers could possibly be uncovered to those chemical compounds for prolonged durations, elevating potential well being dangers, Shopper Stories famous.
In a single product, the extent of lead exceeded California’s most allowable dose by greater than 600%, in keeping with the report.
There aren’t any present federal limits on lead in artificial braiding hair.
Magic Fingers instructed Shopper Stories that clients can “count on us for braids and extensions that meet their highest expectations for fashion and performance.”
The corporate additionally mentioned Shopper Stories’ testing strategies “do not fairly match the real-world way that our customers use our Magic Finger products.”
Sensationnel instructed Shopper Stories, “We unequivocally stand by the safety of Sensationnel products.”
Friedman urged customers to be cautious.
“While most of these products are below the FDA standard for lead contamination in cosmetics, when possible exposure to lead should be avoided,” she instructed NBC.
This new report provides to rising considerations about poisonous magnificence merchandise marketed to Black girls.
“On average, women use 12 personal care products a day, which can expose people to mixtures of harmful chemicals,” Friedman mentioned, “And studies show that repeated exposure to mixtures of chemicals can pose far greater health risks than exposure to a single ingredient.”
The EWG has examined greater than 4,000 merchandise marketed to Black girls and located that almost all have been at the least reasonably hazardous to human well being.
The company’s Pores and skin Deep database permits customers to search for private care merchandise and verify their security rankings.
“Everyone deserves access to safe products,” Friedman mentioned. “Manufacturers should prioritize safety for consumers.”
Extra data:
The Environmental Working Group has extra on the poisonous chemical compounds and contaminants in cosmetics.
Quotation:
Lead and poisonous chemical compounds present in artificial braiding hair (2025, March 5)
retrieved 5 March 2025
from https://medicalxpress.com/information/2025-03-toxic-chemicals-synthetic-braiding-hair.html
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