The love affair Black women have with braids is rooted in creativity, identity, and hair health. The woven look provides reprieve from everyday manipulation, promotes hair growth, and offers versatility. And while cost and maintenance are driving factors in the use of human and synthetic braiding hair, a recent report reveals a troubling discovery: the presence of toxic substances.
Between the horror stories of incessant itching, redness, hair loss, and swelling, it’s clear that something is wrong with many braiding hair options on the market. That said, a 2026 Consumer Reports follow-up study confirmed the worst. Of the 30 human hair and synthetic hair brands tested, all but one brand, Dosso Beauty, tested positive for heavy metals. Additionally, many brands tested positive for high levels of contaminants, including carcinogens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—both of which are associated with skin irritation and potential long-term health risks.
As expected, these findings reflect long-standing concerns in the Black community. And while various brands claim their products are “itch-free,” “safe,” and made of top-quality materials, these results raise several questions: Why are brands engaging in false advertising? Are these brands utilizing rigorous testing? This is where learning the ins and outs of clinical trials comes in handy.
What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials in the cosmetics industry are structured studies used to evaluate whether a product aligns with a brand’s claims of safety, performance, and effectiveness. These studies typically involve crafting a documented trial plan, conducting observation periods, and performing standard test assessments, such as skin or scalp responses and overall product experience.
In the case of braiding hair, cosmetic safety evaluations may include monitoring scalp sensitivity during extended wear and assessing user comfort over time. These human-use studies are often paired with laboratory testing—from dipping hair in hot water to burning hair samples—that screens materials for specific chemical compounds or impurities.
The purpose of clinical trials is for brands to use these results to further support their product safety claims or to make formulation improvements. However, since the braiding hair industry is largely unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration, it’s easy for brands to make unsubstantiated claims due to the lack and/or absence of transparent testing, making it harder for consumers to assess product safety.
How does Dosso Beauty incorporate clinical trials with its braiding hair?
Dosso Beauty understands the importance of radical transparency. Since our inception, we have been open about our commitment to ensuring that our clinically tested Non-Toxic Hypoallergenic Braiding Hair is developed with consumer safety in mind. To support these standards, we have conducted two independent clinical trials.
On April 22, 2025—Earth Day—we publicly released results from its clinical trials. The first trial, conducted by the Princeton Consumer Review from March 11, 2024, to April 22, 2024, evaluated the braiding hair across more than 100 participants with diverse skin types. The purpose of the study was to assess scalp sensitivity and user experience over time.
Following multiple patch tests and usage evaluations, results indicated that our clinically tested braiding hair was well tolerated across participants. It also did not trigger common irritation responses such as itching or redness, supporting our claims as an allergy-tested, hypoallergenic, non-toxic option.
In a second study conducted from September 1, 2024, to September 5, 2024, Shenzen Huaxiang Testing Co. evaluated our braiding hair against European Union cosmetic safety standards. The findings indicated that our product met EU regulatory standards for banned substances, including heavy metals.
This distinction is significant, given that the European Union has banned over 1,300 cosmetic ingredients, compared to 11 in the United States.
While our clinical trials demonstrate strong safety and performance outcomes, we recognize that product safety is an ongoing responsibility. Continuous collaboration with manufacturers and third-party testing partners remains a top priority in maintaining product integrity, especially given the low levels of VOCs in our braiding hair reported in the Consumer Reports study.
Dosso Beauty positions itself as a leader in scalp-conscious braiding hair safety, and its commitment to formulating clean beauty products remains. The goal is simple: crafting scalp-safe braiding hair made with intention, love, and sustainability in mind.