Professional
Synthetic Hair for Braiding
Kanekalon and other synthetic fibers are the material most braiding hair extensions are made from, which makes understanding them a real business question for stylists and a real safety question for clients. Both sides -- what the material actually is, and what the known chemical exposure concerns are -- come from the same underlying research.
Full guide
The Business of Braiding Hair Extensions: A Deep Dive into Kanekalon Hair
Read itWhat's actually in synthetic braiding hair
Kanekalon, the most common synthetic braiding fiber, is a modacrylic material made from acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies acrylonitrile as a probable human carcinogen, and vinyl chloride -- also used in PVC piping -- has been linked to certain rare cancers at higher, typically occupational exposure levels. The manufacturer of Kanekalon fiber has stated it only produces the raw fiber; other companies process, dye, and package it into the finished braiding hair sold to consumers.
What recent independent testing found
A 2025 Consumer Reports investigation tested synthetic braiding hair from ten popular brands and found carcinogens present in all ten, along with lead in nine of the ten. The same testing detected volatile organic compounds, including benzene, released when the hair was dipped in hot water -- a standard step in many braiding styles used to set and smooth the ends. Because braided styles are typically worn for four to eight weeks, exposure to whatever the fiber releases isn't a one-time event; it's closer to constant low-level contact for the length of the install, which affects clients and braiders (who handle the fiber daily) differently. Synthetic hair's chemical composition currently isn't regulated by the FDA, so this remains an active area of research and advocacy rather than a settled question.