Could synthetic hair be putting your health at risk?

Consumer Reports shares test results

Many women might be considering braids, twists, and other styles using synthetic hair as we head toward warmer weather. However, Consumer Reports shared new test results that reveal potential health risks.

Consumer Reports tested 10 braiding hair products.

“90% of the packs of braiding hair that we tested contained lead,” said Ginger Cowles, the managing director with Consumer Reports.

Cowles said that all of products they tested contained carcinogens.

While Consumer Reports only tested 10 products, Cowles said there are thousands of products on the market so they can’t speak to exactly how large of an issue is at hand.

“The FDA is not regulating this market,” Cowles said. “There are no ingredients that are required to be on labels. Also, there are products that market themselves as being non-toxic or natural, but those are phrases, unfortunately, that don’t require the companies to meet any particular standards.”

Watch the video above to learn more about Consumer Reports’ study or click here.