Synthetic Braiding Hair Causes Cancer!!! Truth Or A Propaganda Attack On Black Beauty & Businesses?

A rumor based on research has just surfaced in popular news, linking braiding hair to cancer. The news quickly gained traction and became a major talking point. According to WABF News: “A new Consumer Reports investigation is raising concerns about synthetic braiding hair—something used by countless people, including children. Testing found potentially dangerous chemicals, including cancer-causing substances, in 100 percent of the hair samples. So, what does this mean for you? Consumer Reports breaks down the concerning findings and has tips on how to stay safe.

Ten popular synthetic braiding hair products were tested, and the results are troubling. Every sample contained carcinogens—chemicals that may cause cancer. Three of the samples tested positive for benzene, a carcinogen that is highly regulated and discouraged for use in laboratories due to its cancer-causing potential.

FROM THOSE THAT BROUGHT US WMD

Before deciding whether this claim is true, let’s first understand how Western media operates. If you blindly trust everything that comes from Western news, then you might not have heard of the term “Weapons of Mass Destruction.” This phrase was famously used to justify the invasion of Iraq, claiming Saddam Hussein possessed dangerous weapons that could attack the USA. After his assassination, the deaths of millions of Iraqis, and the destruction of a once-thriving country, it was revealed that there were no such weapons. Western media simply corrected itself, the damage was done, and life moved on. So, should we trust every report pushed by Western media?

Now, let’s analyze the propaganda in the Consumer Reports article:

The article states: “Testing found potentially dangerous chemicals.” Notice the word “POTENTIALLY”?
It mentions that “10 popular synthetic braiding hair products were tested.” Which 10? Were they the most commonly used by Africans, or were they randomly selected?
It claims, “Every sample contained carcinogens—chemicals that may cause cancer.” Do they cause cancer, or do they just have the potential to do so? A cheeseburger may cause cancer. Smoking may cause cancer. But does it? If the risk is only potential, why create a mass media scare unless there’s an ulterior motive?
“Three of the samples tested positive for benzene, a carcinogen that is highly regulated and discouraged for use in laboratories due to its potential to cause cancer.” If this is the case, then identify those three brands and stop casting a blanket of fear over all braiding hair products.
“Testing found lead in 90 percent of the products. There is no safe level of lead.” They tested 10 brands, so finding lead in 90 percent means it was present in 9 brands. However, stating it as 90 percent makes it sound more alarming. Why not simply clarify which 9 brands were affected and which 1 was safe?
“CR’s risk assessments and exposure models indicate that users of these nine products could be exposed to concerning levels of lead over time.” Words like “INDICATES,” “COULD BE,” and “OVER TIME” suggest suggests uncertainty rather than conclusive proof. Scientific studies often use cautious phrasing, but when it comes to large-scale public warnings, clarity is crucial. If synthetic hair truly poses a health risk, why not release the exact brands and chemical levels? Without these specifics, the report raises more questions than answers.

ENVY AND THE HISTORY OF ATTACKS ON AFRICAN HAIR

Before the 1980s, Black women around the world wore their natural hair proudly. During the 1960s and 1970s, Europeans began to imitate the Afro by adding frizz and curls to their hair. Around this time, the attack on Black natural hair began. For decades, Afro-textured hair has been systematically targeted in the West through workplace discrimination, school policies, and negative media portrayals.

In the United States, cases like EEOC v. Catastrophe Management Solutions (2016) upheld the right of employers to ban dreadlocks, reinforcing anti-Black hair biases in corporate spaces. Schools have penalized Black students for their natural hair, as seen in 2018 when Louisiana high schooler Faith Fennidy was removed from class for wearing braids. The entertainment and media industries have also played a role in stigmatizing Afro hair. From the early 20th century, Hollywood associated straight hair with professionalism and beauty while depicting natural Black hair as unkempt or undesirable. Even in fashion and modeling, Black women with natural hair were historically underrepresented or pressured to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards. The pushback against this discrimination led to the passage of the CROWN Act in California in 2019, which aims to protect natural hair in workplaces and schools. However, the struggle against deeply ingrained biases persists.

So, could this “revelation” by the same sources that brought us “Weapons of Mass Destruction” be another attempt to attack a thriving Black business that the West does not benefit from? Let us not forget braids is an attractive hairdo that doesn’t work on non African hair because it isn’t strong enough to bond together. We don’t see this kind of fear-mongering about carcinogens in GMO foods or fluoride in toothpaste—so why the sudden concern about Black women and their hair? Last but not least, why would they link braiding to cancer, when their study is on the chemicals that holds the braids in? Is this an attempt to encourage more African women to wear their weaves straight?

With the vague terminology used, this might be a “nothing burger.” However, if there is some truth to the findings, it should serve as an alarm for African entrepreneurs to step up and provide safe, natural alternatives. Fortunately, many African businesses have already begun offering chemical-free hair extensions and natural hair care solutions, as previously highlighted in articles on FashionGHANA.com.

Meet Ciara May, The Young Black Intellect Who Started Her Plant-Based Hair To Stop The Use Of Toxic Synthetic Extensions

VIDEO: Creative Kenyan Innovator Provides An Alternative To Buying Asian Hair By Turning Sisal Into Stylish Extensions

BOTTOM LINE! STAY NATURAL….ALL THE WAY!

Regardless of the media narratives and Western fear-mongering, the most important thing is to wear your hair naturally. Black hair is beautiful, strong, and resilient. It does not need artificial validation or alterations to fit Eurocentric standards. Protect your natural beauty, support African-owned hair brands, and embrace your roots unapologetically.

Featured image by @kaadyy_mar