Braids and twists with added hair for longevity, length and versatility have been a cultural staple for Black women since the 1990s. In recent years, news about concerning toxins has driven health-conscious women to soak their hair in apple cider vinegar or shell out more money for options like “non-toxic” synthetic hair and human hair as low-maintenance, fashion-centric styles without exposure to harmful chemicals associated with issues like birth defects and cancer.
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As it turns out, that assumption may be flat-out wrong.
Last year, after readers requested that safer braiding hair be tested, Consumer Reports conducted a year-end 2025 study that examined 30 products, including human hair and plant-based hair. Testing included the popular Gyal Braids, which offer pre-rinsed kanekalon hair, and Rebundle, made of banana plant fibers. The results just might make you punch the air.
Lead and Other Heavy Metals
Every single product tested except one contained lead, and human hair was “by far the worst offender,” according to Consumer Reports. “I was surprised that there was so much lead in all nine samples of human hair because we had no indication that that was ever an issue,” said Dr. James E. Rogers, Consumer Reports’ director and head of product safety.
Only Dosso Beauty Hypoallergenic Kanekalon Fiber had no detectable lead, arsenic or cadmium. Other products, including Gyal Braids and Rebundle, contained trace amounts, while Ywigs Water Wave Bulk had the highest levels of lead and cadmium.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Unfortunately, 100 percent of the products tested had VOCs, chemicals that can irritate the skin or cause headache, nausea, liver damage, kidney damage and even disrupt the central nervous system. Even more alarming, some VOCs are carcinogenic. Of the 65 VOCs tested, 50 were detected in the human and synthetic hair tested.
Gyal Braids and Slayy Hair had high acetone levels, while Rebundle and several others, including Bobbi Boss Nu Locs Crochet Braids and Lillian Augusta Beauty Plant-Based Braiding Hair Wheat, showed comparatively low levels. Rebundle was the only product that did not contain toluene, which affects the central nervous system.
How Brands Are Responding
Many brands stressed their ongoing safety efforts. Dosso Beauty, Rebundle, New Village Braid and others highlighted third-party testing, regulatory guidance and transparency, noting that trace detections do not necessarily mean there is meaningful risk. Gyal Braids explained that higher acetone levels could result from pre-washing with apple cider vinegar. Collectively, brands stressed hygiene, proper installation and informed consumer choices.
Safety Takeaways
While three-month styles may be convenient, exposure to toxins from extension hair is cumulative: the longer you wear it, the greater your risk. Toxins can enter through the skin, the scalp or hand-to-mouth contact. “We’ve yet to uncover one that’s contaminant-free,” said Christina Chapman, MD, radiation oncologist at Baylor College of Medicine.
With nearly 72 percent of Black women wearing extensions at least once a year, braids remain a cultural and beauty staple. Until stronger regulations are in place, Consumer Reports suggests choosing brands with lower contaminant levels, wearing gloves while braiding, spacing out installs and avoiding sealing ends with boiling water or burning them, since heat can release VOCs into the air. It also advises keeping extension hair out of your mouth and away from curious babies who like to grab and chew hair.
Finally, the outlet advises consulting a healthcare provider about any irritation. Adverse reactions can be reported to the FDA through MedWatch and to the Consumer Product Safety Commission at SaferProducts.gov.
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