Are my braids doing more harm than good?

Brads are one of the most popular hairstyles for black women, who are worn evenly by celebrities and aunt – but questions are being raised about its effects on our health.

This process can last up to five hours because stylists cleverly participate in the hair segments smaller, evenly small, and gradually add to the extension.

Despite the long salon trips, Brads are always closely connected to the convenience for me.

Growing up, they were for holidays, because style meant how my hair would get, instead of fretting on it, I could jump into the pool without any worry.

Brads are still the same as I turn to now when I want all a few months to break from detailing – or I want to try a new color without the possible loss of hair dye.

But a new study shows that synthetic hair uses many black women to achieve this style that may deteriorate for their health.

American non-profit organization consumer reports tested ten of the most popular brands of synthetic braiding hair, and found that all of them consisted of carcinogenes, and in some cases, leadership.

Research has an impact, as my Instagram feed And WhatsApp groups were filled with study links, warning of alleged risks hidden in our hair.

One of the messages belonged to my cousin, Rochelle, who brads himself every other month.

“Brads, famously, called a protective style,” he later told me.

It is a word that is usually used to describe several Ephro hairstyles, including braids, LoCs and wigs, which reduce that your hair is in contact with elements and cut back to constant style.

“The fact is that this style is doing everything, but protects us – it is really harming us – really quite wild to me.”

This is a lack of awareness among black women, which is the most related, she says.

“Those who are unhealthy food or smoking, know that what they are doing can harm their body, while if you are applying a braid to your hair, you are not thinking that it is harming you.”

James Rogers, the head of the product safety testing in the Consumer Report, says the results are the cause of concern because women have “continuous contact” with harmful chemicals. If their hair is in the braids, often for months at a time.

“We believe that whenever you are in contact with harmful chemicals, it is cumulative – it all adds.”

But he also emphasized that more research was required, saying: “We are hoping that it starts negotiating, not only at the regulatory level, but also among our own communities, to share accurate information.”

Here at Jose’s professional Brading Studios in North London, the study is certainly not closing customers.

Jose and his daughters Abigail and Naomi, who work with him in the salon, have seen interest from new customers, especially later He helped to create a wig worn by Elfa in the wickedOne of the highest grossing films of 2024.

Abigail told me, “People were surprised at how versatile we can be with our breading.”

Jose says that while conclusions are “worrisome”, it has been trading as usual in the salon.

However, some of his customers have been troubled by research.

She is doing her braids in Jose’s salon for the first time of Kelly-N, but she has been wearing a style ever since she was a child.

She tells me that she felt betrayed after reading the study: “I think it is terrible that companies have been doing this for black women for years and I think we deserve better.”

She is now looking for brands free from harmful chemicals and plastic – and says that many of her friends are doing the same.

“I have talked to a lot of women about this who agree that biogradeble will be better – it is also good for the planet.”

IFEANYI has also worn braids since childhood, and says that they are the easiest and most convenient style to handle while busy studying in the university.

She argues that the study is not worrisome, indicating that people can come in contact with carcinogenes every day, Some processed foods, alcohol and tobacco,

“Obviously you want to be cautious – I think it is not necessary to leave it completely for style or hair.”

He is concerned that the social media posts he has seen “scares people out of the desire to attach people”, for a important source of income for black entrepreneurs working in the hair industry.

In 2021 TreasureA UK -based beauty subscription for black hair found that black British women spent £ 168 meters per year on hair products. First research by L’Oreal Suggested that black women in Britain spend six times more on their hair than white women.

“I would like to see a commitment to ensure that things are safe for us, rather than telling us some historical, traditional practices are wrong as black women,” says Effeny.

For some, changing attitude towards synthetic hair is opening business opportunities.

Tendai Moyo co-established a haircut in 2021, which specializes in the natural hair extension made from Southeast Asia, as well as a biodegradable synthetic hair made of collagen fiber.

She suggests that she has seen “a huge increase in demand”, especially in the US, where the study was published.

But she sees it as part of a broader tendency, which is spread beyond the concerns raised by new research.

“We launched in the epidemic, and people were like, ‘Oh, but salons are closed’, but we were selling outside because people do not stop doing their hair.”

She tells me that black women got “to experiment more with their hair during lockdown” and were more inclined to try new products.

One of the largest draws of traditional synthetic hair brands, however, has a low price, which has done inexpensive experiments with various styles and colors for years.

But new brands have a high value point – Tanai tells me that the most popular synthetic hair type of hara is about 2.5 times higher than many high road brands.

IFEANYI says that, as a student, brands such as a student are out of access to him: “The hair is equal to the amount that will spend you to get a hairstyle, so you are essentially double the price.”

Tendai defends it by comparing it to select between “fast food and healthy food”.

She says: “You can really reuse our products if you want, and therefore you are saving money from that way.”

Back to Jose’s salon, Naomi tells me that Breading is not only an important source of income, but an important cultural practice that brings his family together.

She says, “I call myself a braid baby because I was breading from the age of 6,” she says, tells me how her family will tie on skills because her mother looks proudly.

“This is a strong service,” she says, saying that it is satisfactory to do a job that is feeling uplifted to other women.

Despite increasing concerns about our health effects, Breading is a precious heritage for this family – and for many other black women – from generation to generation.

As IFEANYI tells me: “The form of extension can change, but I don’t think the practice of getting brads is going anywhere.”