Tested by an independent lab
We sent our hair to a lab, here's what they didn't find
We tested every part of our hair by a world-renowned independent testing lab.
See the results
We tested every stage — not just the hair
Raw fibre, the finished braid, and the liquids we rinse it in. Four separate samples, one lab.
We tested for the most dangerous substances. We found none.
Heavy metals and known carcinogens — the contaminants that actually matter for something worn against your scalp. Across all four samples, every one came back Not Detected.
Measured against the limits that matter
Every substance came back Not Detected — and we screened at detection limits stricter than regulators require. Take lead, the contaminant with the clearest safety threshold:
The result: zero. Nothing was detected on lead, or on any of the other five substances, even at the lab's sensitive limits. The full methods and detection limits for all six are published in the SGS reports below. · 4 samples · SGS · May–June 2026
What about acetone?
Acetone was the single substance our tests picked up – and it makes sense once you understand the science.
Acetone is used to manufacture synthetic braiding hair and it isn't unique to our hair. Independent testing has found it across every synthetic brand.
Acetone is not a carcinogen, and it isn't classified as harmful at the trace levels in our hair. It simply evaporates on its own.
We pre-rinse every pack in apple cider vinegar
Millions of women do an ACV rinse before every install — to strip alkaline residue and stop the itch. We've industrialised that step, so it's done for you, consistently, in every pack. It's why we tested our rinse liquids too, and publish those reports alongside the fibre.
Read every report yourself
All four original SGS documents — letterhead, signatures, sample photos, the lot. Nothing summarised, nothing hidden.
Don't take our word for it
Match the report reference numbers
Every report lists its SGS number (e.g. QDHL260500674601HI). These match the headers on the original SGS-issued PDFs — request anything further from support@gyalbraids.com and check them line for line.
Who is SGS?
SGS is the world's largest independent testing, inspection and certification company. We did not run these tests ourselves — the samples were shipped to SGS and the results were signed off by their own experts.
What do the lab methods mean?
Each test follows a published, repeatable standard (for example, the lab dissolves the hair to scan for metals, or analyses the vapour for solvents). Any accredited lab can run the same tests and get the same answer.
Why might this differ from other test results I've seen?
Different labs use different methods, detection thresholds and samples — so results aren't always like-for-like. A number can also be made to look alarming when it's measured against a self-set threshold rather than the limits agencies actually enforce, like the FDA's cosmetics guidance or California Prop 65. We've published the full SGS reports here so you can see the exact methods, detection limits and figures for yourself — and judge them against the real regulatory limits, not an arbitrary one.
Clean enough to show you the receipts
Itch-free, ACV pre-washed and independently tested. The braids thousands trust for sensitive scalps.
Shop itch-free braidsFull SGS reports available on request · support@gyalbraids.com · Tested May–June 2026