New research has unveiled that synthetic hair materials contain lead and carcinogens. Are women in South Africa worried that their braids might be causing them harm? DW visited salons in Johannesburg to find out.
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00:00We've come here to find out what hair stylists know about the chemicals in synthetic hair and the alternatives
00:09You've got quite a lot of variety of hair products here, what did you say is most popular amongst your clients?
00:18The most popular hairstyle is braids
00:21Braids with curls as you can see we have the hair piece here and the curly hair piece
00:26That's the most popular hairstyle people they want
00:29So recently there's been some research that revealed that there are some dangerous chemicals in a number of synthetic hair products
00:38Is that something that you are concerned about or that your customers should be concerned about?
00:43Oh, no, I have never really thought about that
00:50As a hair stylist, what do you think you need to know when it comes to these hair products?
00:56I need to know the chemicals that are being used in things like relaxers and hair pieces
01:02Because some of my clients they have sensitive skin
01:06We asked another hairstylist about the findings and she said there really isn't much information available
01:12Yes, I believe people if we are being more educated about it will consider it and
01:21Find out what is there and what is our what is it going to damage with us, but I believe
01:28The synthetic hair we use here in Africa is good for our hair because we never had problems. We never had issues
01:36So we also know that there are some options available on the table obviously natural hair
01:41But there are also some plant-based products coming into the picture
01:45Do you think that South African customers would be interested in trying these products out?
01:52I think we'll give it a try and also I think the clients also give it a try because it's also made out of
01:58Natural plants so it will be good with us. So we'll consider it
02:05Human hair is the main alternative for braiding in many African countries
02:09But it does come at a higher cost and that makes it less attractive as compared to synthetic hair
02:15particularly for those on a budget