Science influencer and Black woman scientist, Dr. Raven The Science Maven (@raventhesciencemaven), recently shared in an Instagram video her decision to stop using synthetic braiding hair due to health concerns.
Highlighting the risks of chemicals like acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride, which are linked to cancer, Dr. Raven said these toxic substances are commonly found in synthetic hair products.
With research still limited, Dr. Raven cautions that heating the hair or exposing it to water can release volatile organic compounds, worsening respiratory conditions.
She advocates for more research into the long-term effects of these chemicals, especially for the Black women who predominantly use these products.
Dr. Raven also encourages consumers to demand full transparency from brands, urging them to provide ingredient lists and lab reports to ensure safety.
“The lack of regulation and research is failing our community. Start asking questions about the hair you’re buying. For me personally, it’s not good enough for you to even just tell me it’s plant based or it’s non-toxic. Show me the ingredients, I’m gonna know exactly what’s gonna be on my head for the next eight weeks. Post the ingredients,” she said in a video post.
Until more is known, Dr. Raven has made the personal choice to eliminate synthetic braiding hair from her lifestyle, urging her followers to make informed decisions for their health.
For further reading, Dr. Raven has linked peer-reviewed articles on her website and has recommended following Dr. Elissia, a beauty justice scientist currently working on a comprehensive study of hair extension chemicals.
Below is the full caption of Dr Raven’s post on Instagram which provides important links to back her points:
Out of an abundance of caution, I have stopped using synthetic braiding hair. So many odds are stacked against us, this one was an easy one to eliminate from my lifestyle.
It’s a personal choice. I’ve linked peer-reviewed articles for you to read. We absolutely need more research on this in the context of the populations that are exposed to these at higher rates. In the meantime, I’m NOT using it.
Follow @elissiaphd. She is a beauty justice scientist who is studying this, SPECIFICALLY. Dr. Elissia is submitting a paper to ES&T next week that is the most comprehensive evaluation of chemicals that are released from hair extension surfaces! Her work will be able to tell us what we are up against.
If anyone is telling you in these comments that they know the full extent of what is going on with this synthetic braiding hair, they ain’t for real. We do NOT have all of the answers yet. @elissiaphd’s analysis will pave a way for a new understanding.
Here are some sources 
because I want yall to read for yourself and make your own choices!
1) Carcinogenic materials in synthetic braids: an unrecognized risk of hair products for Black women
: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanam/article/PIIS2667-193X(23)00091-1/fulltext
2) VOCs in heated synthetic hair: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1178630219890876
3) Vinyl Chloride: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/vinyl-chloride
Acrylonitrile: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/MMG/MMGDetails.aspx?mmgid=443&toxid=78
4) Potential Hazards Associated with Wearing of Synthetic Hairs (Wigs, Weavons, Hair Extensions/Attachements) In Nigeria:
https://fortunepublish.com/articles/potential-hazards-associated-with-wearing-of-synthetic-hairs-wigs-weavons-hair-extensionsattachements-in-nigeria.html
