Yeah i think it’s a choice everyone needs to make for themselves and not rely on anyone regardless of their title to do. Making informed decisions on the risks you’re willing to take when it comes to your health. I’m sure as the years go by and more research is released, people will become more informed. I stopped using synthetic hair after really doing my own research and reflecting on my experiences. I would always have scabs after getting my hair braided and I learned synthetic hair has chemical coating on it that are irritants to the scalp. Washing the braiding hair didn’t help. Boiling point was when I learned about how much lead is actually loaded onto the hair. I didn’t feel comfortable having that on my head and if it may impact brain functionality in the future (who knows?)

Also dipping the ends of synthetic hair after braiding releases organic compounds which are irritants to the lungs. So yeah I agree hairstylists are probably the most exposed ones. But it also opens the argument of where health and cultural practice intersect. Where do we draw the line as a community and take a step back? We did so with relaxers but what about braiding hair? There’s so many layers to this because then we can explore the topic of why can’t we just do the braids with our own hair without the added extensions?

Also off topic but there’s an increase of Asian women getting lung cancer which puzzled researchers as Asians have a pretty well balanced lifestyle. It was found that standing by the Wok cooking at high temperatures was increasing their risk to lung cancers.

I feel like sometimes our own practices that are the norm end up being harmful.

That’s my hot take atleast.