FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rashid Jude
Email: info@yelani.com
Website: www.yelani.com
Atlanta, GA — April 23, 2025 — Synthetic braiding hair, a cornerstone of protective styling for millions of Black women, may carry a hidden cost far greater than its price tag. Mounting evidence now links these widely used products to serious health risks, including infertility, fibroids, and cancer. Experts warn that chemicals embedded in synthetic braiding hair may disrupt hormones, damage reproductive organs, and expose users to carcinogens over time.
“Black women are unknowingly exposed to dangerous substances every day through their hair,” says Dr. Adana Llanos, an epidemiologist at Columbia University. “These exposures are not just cosmetic concerns—they are public health threats with generational consequences.”
This issue is deeply personal for Yetunde Jude, founder of the Yelani All Natural Collection, a Black-owned clean beauty brand rooted in holistic hair care.
“I created the Yelani All Natural Collection and wrote The Black Hair Care Revolution more than 15 years ago because I saw the devastating effects of toxic chemicals in products marketed to Black women,” says Yetunde Jude. “It’s not just about beauty—it’s about our health, our fertility, our future. We deserve safe products that honor our heritage without harming our bodies.”
Chemical Exposures in Synthetic Braiding Hair
Investigations from Consumer Reports and Capital B News reveal that synthetic braiding hair often contains:
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Carcinogens like benzene and methylene chloride
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Heavy metals including lead and cadmium
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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and toluene
These chemicals—many of which are featured in Jude’s book, The Black Hair Care Revolution—can be absorbed through the scalp or inhaled during installation, compounding risk over time.
Reproductive and Hormonal Health Risks
The consequences are especially urgent for reproductive health:
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Hormonal Disruption: Endocrine disruptors like phthalates and formaldehyde can cause irregular menstrual cycles, reduced fertility, and early menopause
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Increased Fibroid Risk: Chemical exposure has been linked to uterine fibroids, a condition that disproportionately affects Black women
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Pregnancy Complications: Heavy metals such as lead are associated with miscarriage, low birth weight, and developmental disorders
The Yelani All Natural Collection, available at Yelani.com, offers chemical-free alternatives backed by decades of research and formulated to protect both scalp and systemic health.
Cancer Risk from Beauty Products
Chronic exposure to synthetic hair and conventional hair care products has also been linked to:
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Leukemia: From benzene inhalation
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Liver and Lung Cancer: From methylene chloride exposure
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Uterine Cancer: From formaldehyde-based preservatives
The Yelani All Natural Collection was developed to replace these harmful products with botanically based, non-carcinogenic solutions safe for everyday use.
Cultural Norms, Targeted Marketing, and Regulatory Gaps
Despite the risks, synthetic hair products are widely used due to:
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Cultural Identity: Protective styles are a vital part of Black beauty traditions
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Aggressive Marketing: Many toxic products are directly targeted to Black consumers
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Weak Oversight: Federal regulations fail to require disclosure or safety testing for cosmetic ingredients
Through Yelani.com, Jude continues to educate the public on ingredient safety and offers resources like an "Ingredients to Avoid" guide based on her book.
Black-Owned, Non-Toxic Hair Alternatives
In addition to the Yelani All Natural Collection, a growing number of Black-owned brands are creating safe alternatives to conventional synthetic hair:
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Rebundle – Plant-based braiding hair made from banana fibers
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Dosso Beauty – Hypoallergenic synthetic extensions made without lead or cadmium
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Nourie Hair – Nutrient-infused, plant-sourced hair that promotes scalp health
These companies are shifting the industry by centering health, heritage, and innovation.
What You Can Do
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Reduce synthetic hair use or switch to cleaner options
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Wash and ventilate synthetic hair before installing
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Support non-toxic Black-owned brands like Yelani.com
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Stay informed with resources like The Black Hair Care Revolution
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Advocate for stronger regulations and ingredient transparency
About the Yelani All Natural Collection
The Yelani All Natural Collection is a Black-owned hair care brand founded by beauty expert and author Yetunde Jude. For over 20 years, Yelani has provided safe, effective, and natural products for textured hair, free from sulfates, phthalates, parabens, silicones, mineral oils, alcohol, and artificial preservatives. Jude’s pioneering book, The Black Hair Care Revolution, exposed the dangers of toxic beauty products and helped spark a movement toward clean hair care. Today, Yelani remains committed to education, empowerment, and protecting the health of Black women and families.
Media Contact:
Rashid Jude
info@yelani.com
www.yelani.com