Study: Hair Extensions Contain Dozens of Carcinogens
Silent Spring Institute found toxic chemicals in 41 of 43 tested hair extension products, many linked to cancer and hormone disruption, highlighting urgent need for regulation.
- In a new paper, researchers tested 43 hair extensions and detected dozens of hazardous chemicals, including flame retardants, phthalates and pesticides, with all but two samples containing harmful substances.
- Because companies rarely disclose chemical treatments, researchers noted it is difficult for hairdressers and hair-extension professionals to advise consumers who wear extensions claiming flame-, water- or heat-resistant properties.
- Detailed testing revealed over 900 chemical signatures matched by machine learning to identify 169 chemicals, chlorine levels up to 277,000 micrograms per gram, and toxic organotins in nearly one in 10 samples.
- Campaigners responded that study authors urged further research as limitations hinder safety guidance, while campaign group Level Up called for action since more than 70 percent of Black women in the U.S. use extensions annually.
- Prior analyses have also found contaminants, and this study aligns with previous research detecting heavy metals and volatile organics in extensions while noting some biobased hair products contained unclassified complex chemicals and some exceeded European Union regulatory limits.
48 Articles
48 Articles
Hair Extensions Used in Braids and Weaves Contain Chemicals Linked to Cancer and Hormone Disruption
Hair extensions — a styling staple for millions of women, particularly women of color — may contain far more potentially harmful chemicals than researchers once realized. In a recent study, scientists identified dozens of hazardous substances in hair extensions, including chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive harm.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629dfcf277e-c77c-4b89-ac9e-22614df879dc Hair extensions may not be as har…
Hair extensions may contain chemical residues, which can increase the risk of cancer, cause hormonal imbalances, and weaken the immune system.
Hair extensions found to contain hazardous chemicals linked to cancer, chronic illness
Hazardous chemicals in popular hair extension products are raising concerns about the health risks tied to a largely unregulated part of the beauty industry that disproportionately affects Black women.
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