The Hidden Risks of Braiding Hair-What's Really Being added to your Hair (and Scalp)

At Texture Society, the health of your scalp and the integrity of your hair always come first.
I'm sure you've seen the reels and social media posts calling out the obvious. "Synthetic braiding fibers are the cause for scalp irritation and strand damage."

Yet & still, your local braider is grabbing a bottle of ACV to rinse your beauty supply store braiding hair and telling you it's going to be ok. While I wish a simple rinse were the solution, I wouldn't be doing my job as your hair care professional if didn't tell you that...It's not.

Even with an ACV rinse, your braiding hair is not only coated, it's made with hash chemicals that are slowly damaging your hair. Let’s break down what’s really in these fibers, how they impact your hair, and what healthier alternatives can offer.

1. Chemical Coatings That Disrupt Your Scalp’s pH

Many synthetic braiding fibers are dipped in alkaline chemical sealants during manufacturing. These coatings can raise the fiber’s pH to 9–11 (not far from that of a chemical relaxer), while your scalp naturally sits at 4.5–5.5. This chemical not only sits on the hair, it's heated and melted onto the hair when we dip it in boiling hot water to finish our braids.

As Tres Belle Hair explains:

“Most braiding hair is coated with an alkaline chemical during manufacturing, which can raise the fiber’s pH to between 9 and 11 — a significant mismatch with the scalp’s natural pH of around 4.5–5.5. This imbalance can disrupt your scalp’s acid mantle, triggering inflammation, itching, and irritation.”

Your scalp’s acid mantle is a delicate, protective barrier that:

• Maintains healthy bacteria

• Locks in moisture

• Regulates oil production

• Shields the skin from irritation

When high-pH fibers sit against your scalp for weeks, they can shift the scalp into a more alkaline state. That imbalance can trigger:

• Itching

• Burning

• Inflammation

• Redness

• Dryness

• Flaking

• Heightened sensitivity

This is why so many clients experience “braiding hair itch.” It's not always an allergic reaction — often, it’s a chemical pH disruption and reaction.

2. How These Chemicals Can Damage Your Hair Strands

The risks don’t end at the scalp. Alkaline coatings and synthetic-fiber chemicals can also affect the health of your natural hair underneath the style.

High pH Raises the Hair Cuticle

Alkaline exposure lifts the cuticle layers of your hair, making them rough and vulnerable. This leads to:

• Moisture loss

• Breakage

• Reduced elasticity

• Frizz

• Increased friction during takedown

Chemical Coatings Strip Moisture

Preservatives, flame retardants, and anti-mold agents can rob your hair of its natural oils.
Over time, this causes:

• Brittleness

• Mid-shaft breakage

• Excessive shedding

Rough Plastic Fibers = Constant Friction

Most synthetic hair has a coarse microscopic texture. As your real hair rubs against it daily, it can result in:

• Snagging

• Matting at the root

• Split ends

• Tangling during takedown

Residue Weakens Hair Structure

Constant contact with alkaline coatings can weaken the protein bonds in your strands, making them more fragile and prone to snapping.

Low Melting Point Risks

Synthetic fibers melt easily. Heat from:

• Blow dryers

• Steam

• Stretching tools

• Hot water sealing…can soften or melt coatings onto your natural hair, creating:

• Sticky residue

• Fused knots

• Severe breakage

This leads to the “mystery breakage” many clients experience after removing braids.

3. Dryness & Moisture Theft

Synthetic fibers cannot hold moisture — they pull it from your natural hair. This leads to dryness, brittleness, and compromised elasticity underneath your style.
A protective style should protect — not dehydrate.

4. Weight & Tension Damage

Many industrial synthetic fibers are heavier than they appear. Prolonged wear can strain the follicles and edges, increasing the risk of:

• Shedding

• Thinning

• Traction alopecia

Lightweight, texture-matching options put less strain on the root and support healthier retention.

5. Better Alternatives for Healthier Protective Styling

At Texture Society, I offer curated braiding hair alternatives that prioritize scalp health and hair integrity. By collaborating with a carefully selected brands, I can offer my clients options to help protect your hair. You can learn more about these brands at your Crown Care consultation.

These selected fibers are:

• Lightweight

• Low-No toxicity

• Free from harsh alkaline coatings

• Gentle on the scalp

• Moisture-friendly

• Designed to mimic natural texture

The Bottom Line

Your protective style should not compromise the health of your scalp or hair. Mainstream synthetic fibers may be inexpensive, but the hidden chemical load can lead to irritation, dryness, breakage, and long-term weakening of your strands, which is not worth the risk. Instead of this, I suggest you:

• Invest in your scalp.

• Invest in your hair.

• Invest in materials that love your natural texture the way you do.

Ready to Protect Your Hair the Right Way?

✨ Book a Texture Society hair consultation to get personalized fiber recommendations.
✨ Shop my braiding hair alternatives (Coming Soon) designed for comfort, longevity, and scalp health.

Healthy hair starts at the root — and it starts with what you choose to install.