Scientists Find Cancer-Linked Chemicals in Popular Hair Extensions

Scientists find cancer-linked chemicals in popular hair extensions

A sweeping new study has uncovered a troubling mix of hazardous chemicals in popular hair extensions, including products made from human hair. Researchers detected dozens of substances linked to cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive harm, and immune system effects in nearly every sample tested. Some products contained flame retardants, organotins, and chemicals associated with increased breast cancer risk, and several exceeded European safety…

Toxic beauty: Black women most at risk from harmful chemicals in unregulated hair products

Read the full story at Inside Climate News. See also: Franklin, E. T., Favela, K., Spies, R., Ranger, J. M., & Rudel, R. A. (2026). Identifying chemicals of health concern in hair extensions using suspect screening and nontargeted analysis. Environment & Health, envhealth.5c00549. https://doi.org/10.1021/envhealth.5c00549 [open access] Hair extensions used primarily by Black women contain a “shocking” range … Continue reading Toxic beauty: Black…

New report shows dangerous chemicals used in braiding hair

Dating all the way back to studies initially conducted in 2013, harmful chemicals have continued to be found in synthetic braiding hair that can pose dangerous effects to the demographic that uses this hair the most, Black women. As of February 2026, research studies are showing that unregulated chemicals are prevalent in 90 percent of tested samples of braiding hair brands such as the popularly known Kanekalon, Sensationnel, Magic Fingers and S…

Study Finds Toxic Chemicals in Braiding Hair Marketed to Black Women

A new scientific study is raising fresh concerns about the safety of hair products widely used by Black women, after researchers found dozens of potentially harmful chemicals in popular wigs, braiding hair, and extensions sold in the United States. The research, published Wednesday in the journal Environment & Health, was conducted by scientists at the Silent Spring Institute. The team tested 43 hair extension products purchased online and from …