Most people choose their braiding hair based on what’s popular or what their Braider recommends.

You think you’re allergic to something in the braiding hair, but when you flip the pack over, there are no ingredients to read, so you are just hoping for the best. Almost nobody flips the pack over to read the ingredients. That made sense for years. There was no list to read.

At Rebundle, we are committed to your safety and sustainability. That is why, in response to recent independent investigations by Consumer Reports and the Silent Spring Institute, we conducted our own third-party testing, not only to be transparent about our products, but also to help shed light on an industry that remains largely unregulated.

What recent studies reveal about braiding hair

Between 2025 and 2026, three major independent studies tested popular braiding hair products.

Testing by Consumer Reports found lead and volatile compounds in the majority of synthetic braiding hair products analyzed, with similar results in a larger follow-up study that expanded to include human hair and plant-based options. Across both reports, most samples contained detectable contaminants, and very few were free from heavy metals or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The third study, conducted by the Silent Spring Institute, identified dozens of chemicals of concern, including phthalates, flame retardants, and pesticides, across a wide range of hair extension products, with only a small number testing clean.

What we found: inside Rebundle’s independent testing

Rebundle was built on one premise: if conventional braiding hair contains things you wouldn't put on your skin in any other context, the answer isn't to add another coating, but to start all over with a different material.

That's why we put braidbetter, our plant-based hair, to the test. We sent samples from every stage of our production process to an independent third-party lab, from raw fiber all the way through to the finished product.

Here's what came back, in plain language.

In the finished braidbetter product, which is the one you wear, no target contaminants were detected. No lead. No VOCs. None of the substances people are most worried about when they think about toxic braiding hair.

In a few of our intermediate-stage samples, however, lead and a phthalate called DEHP were detected, but only in fiber that was still mid-process, before reaching its finished state.

That second finding is the one we want to talk about openly because it's the one that explains everything else.

About the process and how trace materials can appear

The fact that lead and DEHP showed up at intermediate stages, but not in the finished product, told us something specific. The contamination was not coming from our ingredients or from the banana fiber itself. It was introduced somewhere in the manufacturing process and eliminated by later stages of production.

This means that during manufacturing, materials can come into contact with industrial equipment, storage containers, or packaging components. Certain plastics, for example, can release compounds like phthalates under conditions such as heat, acidity, or prolonged contact.

By the time the fiber is fully processed, substances like lead are no longer detectable. This is an important distinction between what may appear during production and what ends up in the final product you wear.

It also points to a broader industry challenge: even brands that carefully select their materials can still be affected by the systems and infrastructure used to manufacture them.

That's why our commitment goes beyond ingredients. We're working to improve the entire process: eliminating plastic contact points, transitioning to more inert materials like glass, and auditing every supplier-provided material that comes into contact with the fiber, from degumming agents to dyes. If something doesn't pass independent contamination testing, it will not go into our process.

To understand why this matters, it helps to look at what conventional braiding hair is typically made of.

What's actually in conventional braiding hair

It is important to understand what synthetic braiding hair is made of when put to the test, as it can reveal several chemicals that may be harmful to human health.

Plastic

Cheaper fibers often contain polyvinyl chloride, a plastic found in pipes and shower curtains. PVC is made using vinyl chloride, which the EPA and IARC both classify as a known human carcinogen.

Better-quality synthetic fibers swap PVC for polyethylene terephthalate, a plastic found in soda bottles. PET is cleaner than PVC, but it is still plastic, made from petroleum, and likely to outlast everyone reading this in a landfill.

Heavy metals

Lead, arsenic, and cadmium are not added components. They contaminate the supply chain quietly, sometimes through base polymer materials, sometimes through the pigments used to dye different hair colors. 

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

These are sharp chemicals that can cause headaches when inhaled due to the gases they emit.

Acetone showed up in every product CR tested in both studies, with some of the samples containing trace amounts of benzene, the same compound linked to acute myeloid leukemia in long-term occupational studies. 

VOCs irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Some are carcinogenic at higher concentrations or with longer exposures. 

It is worth noting that braidbetter did not test positive for these chemicals when re-tested by a third party.

Flame retardants

These are used to treat synthetic hair so the fiber does not ignite during heat-setting. Several of the chemicals are linked to thyroid disruption and developmental problems. 

Alkaline lye coatings

Soaking the braiding hair in apple cider vinegar before installing compensates for an alkaline coating that the manufacturer applied during processing. The vinegar dip neutralizes the surface chemistry and reduces day-one itch but does not alter the deeper part of the fiber.

Phthalates and endocrine disruptors

Phthalates are plasticizers used to make plastic softer and more flexible. They've been documented as endocrine disruptors in many studies over the past three decades. 

As mentioned earlier, in the case of braidbetter, DEHP was identified during the production process. And although we don't intentionally include any of these compounds in our formulation, we're being diligent about tracing contaminants and eliminating them wherever possible.  

Why daily exposure matters more than one install

Most people who have worn braids have a story about the first few days: an itchy scalp, one or more bumps along the hairline, and (if the install is tight) headaches. Some also notice a burning sensation after the hot water dip to the ends.

Most of these symptoms are treated as normal… but should they be?

Allergic contact dermatitis from synthetic braiding hair, along with folliculitis and scalp irritation triggered by chemicals, can lead to visible reactions and may signal what the fiber is actually doing chemically.

What happens in the long run? On average, six weeks of wear and four to six installs a year over ten years add up to roughly 70% of a decade with the same fiber pressed against the scalp.

The concern is not about one install, but rather the slow-drip effect over time, year after year, on the scalp.

A real alternative didn’t exist for most of that time. It does now.

How to evaluate safer braiding hair options

The term "non-toxic" is currently unregulated in the cosmetics or hair extension industry, so any business can use it on its label. Same as "natural" in the food aisle, same as "clean" in skincare. The label is doing zero verification work.

There are a few things that actually matter, and not all brands will tell you:

Independent third-party lab testing, with the report published, matters: We have tested our braidbetter product for heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium), VOCs, phthalates, and flame retardants, and can show you the report for peace of mind.

Clinical or dermatological testing on actual human skin matters: Testing on sensitive, eczema-prone skin types will yield different results than testing on a test panel of healthy adults. Again, in this case, the report is important.

A published ingredient list matters: we care so much about our customers’ long-term health that we are willing to make changes to our products and processes to ensure prime quality. That is our commitment and our promise.

Transparency in results matters: At Rebundle, we can say exactly where in the process DEHP was detected during testing of our braidbetter product and share the lab results. Moreover, we are committed to eliminating it wherever possible. Several brands in the CR follow-up explicitly market themselves as non-toxic and still came back with detectable contaminants, but remain silent.

How Rebundle compares

The ingredient list is published in full on the ReGen Hair Fiber™ page. 

The active ingredients include: Banana Fiber, Glycerin, Hemisqualane, Grapeseed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Vitamin E Acetate, plus food-grade preservatives. No "fragrance." No proprietary blend. No ingredient hidden behind a trademark.

This is how our own ReGen Hair Fiber™ tested:

• USDA Certified Biobased Product at 97% plant content

• Clinically tested as safe for sensitive and eczema-prone skin

• MyMicrobiome Standard certified as supportive of a healthy scalp microbiome

• Biodegradable: over 50% breakdown in 69 days under composting conditions (ASTM D5338)

• No PVC, no flame retardants, no alkaline lye coating

Plus, no vinegar dip required before installing.

How to switch to plant-based braiding hair

If you are wondering where to start, Rebundle’s plant-based braiding hair fiber comes in two color families to choose from:

• Earth Tones: Jet, Natural, Chocolate, Salt 

• Sun Tones: Honey, Ocean, Spice 

Lengths run from 18" up to 30".

Audit your current routine

1. Pull up your current brand's website. Check their list of ingredients and lab results.

2. Try one bundle on your next install. A single bundle will tell you about the texture, how your scalp responds, and whether the price difference holds up against the experience.

3. Pay attention to your scalp on day three. Day three is usually when irritation from coatings on conventional hair peaks. If the irritation isn't there, that's the chemistry doing what it's supposed to do.

4. Reconsider your prep ritual. With Rebundle, no vinegar soak is required before installing, as that is a necessary step for an alkaline coating not present in our product.

5. Talk to your braider. Most braiders have noticed the same pattern over hundreds of clients: cleaner hair, fewer scalp complaints, less itching during install, less product needed afterward. The good ones will have an opinion on which brands are actually delivering what they advertise.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Shop Rebundle's plant-based braiding hair

For more on why scalp irritation happens in the first place, read Why do braids itch.

FAQs

Which braiding hair is non-toxic?

The safest alternatives are plant-based, banana fiber braiding hair options which use biopolymers instead of plastic and have undergone third-party testing with no detectable lead or VOCs in the finished product.

The plant-based route also addresses biodegradability and the broader environmental footprint.

What is the healthiest braiding hair to use?

If you're prioritizing scalp health and chemical exposure, plant-based braiding hair is currently the strongest answer.

It removes the plastic backbone (which is what most contamination travels on), uses food-grade and cosmetic-grade ingredients, and the better brands have clinical data behind their hypoallergenic braiding hair claims.

For people with extremely sensitive or eczema-prone skin, plant-based hair certified as microbiome-friendly is the safest starting point.

Is human braiding hair actually safer than synthetic?

No. This sounds backwards, but the research is clear.

The CR follow-up tested 9 human hair products and found:

• All 9 contained lead concentrations above CR's level of concern

• Human hair was the single worst-performing category for lead

The contamination is likely entering through processing, dyeing, or storage. Human hair shouldn't be treated as a guaranteed safer choice.

How do I get rid of toxins in braiding hair?

The traditional answer is the apple cider vinegar dip, which neutralizes the alkaline lye coating on the outside of synthetic hair and reduces itch.

Although this does help with surface chemistry, it can't remove anything embedded inside the fiber itself, which means lead, VOCs, and flame retardants stay within the product.

The only reliable way to reduce exposure is to use hair that wasn't contaminated in the first place. Read the ingredient list and the lab results before you buy.

Are braids bad for your scalp?

Braids themselves aren't the problem. Tension, weight, and hazardous chemicals are.

A loose, properly installed braid in a non-toxic fiber is a protective style in the truest sense. Many braiders see better hair growth on clients who switch to lighter, cleaner hair.

A tight braid in a chemically loaded synthetic pack does the opposite. Most "braids damaged my hair" stories are some combination of those three factors.

What is braiding hair made of?

Most conventional braiding hair is made from Kanekalon, a synthetic polymer based on acrylics, often blended with PVC or PET (both plastics).

The fiber is treated with coatings (typically alkaline solutions to help it hold a shape) and may contain dyes, flame retardants, plasticizers, and trace contaminants picked up during manufacturing.

Plant-based braiding hair is the exception. At Rebundle, we make our fiber from banana fiber combined with cosmetic-grade biopolymers, with no PVC, PET, or plastic backbone at all.

Is plant-based braiding hair worth the price difference?

For most people, yes.

Plant-based hair runs higher per bundle than conventional synthetic, but:

• Scalp comfort is a different experience entirely

• The install often requires less hair because the fibers are thicker and reusable

• End-of-life is composting, not the landfill

• Most users settle into using fewer bundles per install over time, which closes part of the price gap