Sew-In Hairstyles: Pros, Cons, and Best Practices

Trust me, after selling tens of thousands of human hair bundles, you can trust that your team at Private Label knows the importance of a fantastic sew-in hairstyle. 

That’s why we will go over the pros, cons, and best practices so you have the best hair experience.

The last thing we need is for you to buy some sew-in extensions from us and then have challenges with the products.

Or maybe your hairstylist didn’t give you enough care tips. You could be one of those DIY baddies who sew at home.

That’s cool, too, but we want to ensure you know all about sew-ins so that you return to Private Label in Atlanta or shop with us online.

Understanding Sew-In Hairstyles

You probably already know this, but sew-in hairstyles involve sewing hair extensions onto natural hair using thread and needles. 

There are a few thread options for weave, and we recommend finding the one that works best for you. Our clients love the hooked-style needle when sewing in their hair. Give it a try if you still need to!

The natural hair is braided before the extensions are sewn on. And we all love a good braider! Sew-ins are perfect for adding volume, length, and styling versatility to the hair.

They are famous among those seeking a temporary style change while protecting the natural hair from potential dangers.

Types of Sew-Ins

Sew-ins can easily be customized to experiment with different looks because Private Label offers many bundles with matching lace closures and lace frontals. We will get into texture a little later.  The most popular types of sewins include:

Full Sew-In with a Closure or Frontal

Full sew-in means sewing the hair extensions to cover the whole scalp. (Think protective style!) The extensions are sewn onto the braids or cornrows formed from natural hair.

You can get a new look with added length and volume with a complete sew-in. Depending on your choice, they provide versatility, such as straight, curly, or wavy styling. They also protect the natural hair from polluted environments and food fights, but maybe someone other than your boyfriend likes to tug a little too hard on your hair.

*Wink!  However, full sew-ins may appear heavy, thus exerting pressure on the scalp. If you get a cute bob hair with a 10” and 12” bundle, this is probably not the case, but we are in Atlanta, where the hair weave is flowing.

If you are packing five to six bundles in your hair and it’s going down your back, then you must be careful of the tension this causes on your natural hair. The installation and removal of hair bundles and lace are very time-consuming.

Hopefully, your hairstylist can fill you in on all the latest tea while installing your hair. Full sew-ins need proper and regular maintenance to maintain their natural look. 

Partial Sew-In Natural Hair Leave Out

Partial sew-ins are when hair extensions are added to some parts of the scalp. This is like a “quickie” sew-in for those who don’t want a lot of weave commitment. Their purpose is to add length and volume to your hair selectively.

This is common if you install some natural textured bundles like Yaki straight bundles and then expose your matching leave-out. This is great for those who don’t want to deal with the lace with a closure or frontal.

They are lightweight and can be installed and maintained easily. However, they provide fewer styling options than full sew-ins and must be blended with natural hair for a seamless look.

Lace Closure Sew-In

We are huge fans of lace closure sew-ins because of the variety of closure options now available. Don’t feel like dealing with a lot of lace but want that deep, natural-looking hair part?

We have you covered with a 2x6 closure. You previously liked lace frontals, but they were a little more difficult to manage. Try a 7x7 lace closure, and thank us later! This is why you are at Private Label.

We have the options for you! Let’s get back to the benefits of getting a closure. A closure sew-in uses a lace piece closure to cover the natural hairline.

The popular sizes include 2x6, 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, 7x7, and whatever else these hair junkies come up with after we publish this article. The closure provides a natural look as its shade matches the skin tone. If it doesn’t, grab some lace tint and make it match!

Lace closure sew-ins give a natural hair part and hairline. They allow for various styling options and minimize the damage to the natural hair.  Lace sew-ins need precise installation to ensure a flawless look.

Yes, we recommend a licensed hairstylist install these despite you watching all those tutorials on YouTube.

They are more expensive than other sew-ins because we know lace isn’t cheap and requires regular maintenance. The good news is that Private Label provides a wide range of lace closures and sew-ins at affordable prices.

Benefits of Sew-In Hairstyles

Sew-in hairstyles are known for their benefits. They can take a little while to get sewn in, but the results are worth it! The popularity of sew-ins will go up, and the popularity of human hair wigs will go down.

And vice versa! We will always be a fan of the sew-in hairstyle and have the best bundles to prove it! The key benefits are given below:

• Sew-ins are versatile in styling. They allow the user to attain varying hair lengths, textures, and colors while keeping the natural hair intact. You can go from your natural hair to long lengths, blonde, or afro kinky curly bundles. The possibilities are endless!
• Our favorite benefit is that sew-ins protect natural hair from breakage and heat. Feel accessible to flat iron and curl your bundles all day, and keep your natural hair secure with braids.
• Sew-ins are advantageous due to their low maintenance needs. Once installed, they require regular washing and minimal daily upkeep, making them convenient for busy schedules. HD lace closures make your maintenance more manageable, as you can wear a closure without needing lace glue.
• Sew-ins have a longer lifespan than other extensions. If properly installed, they can last for several weeks. We always recommend getting higher-quality extensions for sew-ins and saving the cheap bundles for quick weaves where you will cut up and glue the wefts.

Drawbacks of Sew-In Hairstyles

Along with benefits, sew-in hairstyles have certain drawbacks. We didn’t say they were perfect, although most women understand the benefits outweigh the cons.  These are listed below:

• The sew-ins must be installed properly. If not, they will cause scalp irritation and damage to natural hair. Improper installation also imposes tension on the scalp.
• Over-tightening of the braids can lead to traction alopecia. Sew-ins need daily maintenance. They must be washed and conditioned regularly to avoid product buildup, which can lead to scalp infections.
• Sew-ins may feel heavy due to their thickness and length, leading to headaches and discomfort for some.

Best Practices for Sew-In Hairstyles

I want to ensure you succeed in sew-in and love your Private Label bundles and lace. One must consider certain practices to achieve a seamless, natural look with the sew-ins; the best ones are given below:

• Choose high-quality sew-ins from reputable stores like Private Label Extensions. Match the color and texture with natural hair if you have a leave out or grab a matching closure or frontal with your bundles. Wearing a lace closure or frontal sew-in that goes with any color or texture.
• Seek the help of a professional stylist for installation, as proper installation is necessary to attain a natural look and overcome potential damages. Even if you like to DIY your sew-ins, having a backup stylist is always good.
• Regular cleaning and conditioning can maintain the scalp’s health, avoid product buildup, and moisturize the scalp. A professionally licensed hairstylist should be able to recommend products and give you tips for the best way to maintain your scalp. We also have articles on these topics in our blog.
• Give natural hair regular breaks from the sew-ins to let it recover. Prolonged wearing of extensions causes thinning of natural hair.
• Handle the sew-ins gently and carefully. To maintain hair integrity, use a wide-tooth comb for detangling. When cleaning, use a sulfate shampoo.
• Following a regular maintenance routine and lessening heat styling is necessary for keeping your extensions healthy and prolonging their life.

Tips for Seamless Installation and Maintenance

Sew-ins must be installed and maintained correctly for a natural and flawless look. This is also helpful in maintaining the health of natural hair. The following details explain the significant tips in this regard.

Seamless Weave Installation

• One should establish a proper smooth base without any folds for seamless installation. This can be achieved by forming a smooth and secured braiding pattern that minimizes tension on the scalp.
• Part your hair precisely and align it with your desired hairstyle. This may be time-consuming, but the results will be long-lasting and give you a natural finish.
• Make sure the stitching is secure but tight enough. Tight stitching will lead to discomfort and hair damage. On the other hand, loose stitching has the chance of falling out.
• Customizing the sew-in according to your needs is critical to achieving a realistic look. You should customize your extensions according to your hairline, hair texture, density, and desired look.

Proper Hair Maintenance

• Clean your natural hair and sew-ins regularly with gentle, sulfate-free products. This helps remove product buildup and maintain the hair’s natural look.
• Condition the hair deeply with a sulfate-free conditioner. Conditioning builds up moisture in hair and keeps it safe from frizziness. It also aids in maintaining hair’s luster.
• Curlier textures like Kinky Curly Hair will be more work to manage compared to straight. Expect some shedding, as this is natural with all types of hair.
• Take care while styling the hair. Avoid heat styling. When necessary, use heat protectant spray. Set the heat tools on a low to medium heat setting. Avoid pulling hair while styling to prevent breakage.
• Visit the professional stylist regularly to get the necessary touch-ups for your sew-ins. This helps overcome the lifting of extensions and secure them.

Is a Sew-In Hairstyle for You?

Sew-in hairstyles will always be popular due to their flexibility and ability to allow for protective styling. Available in various types, they are designed to meet the diverse needs of users.

To achieve a beautiful and realistic look with sew-ins, one must get insight into their pros and cons and best practices for installation and maintenance.

By understanding the above necessary details, one can quickly and effortlessly achieve a seamless and natural look of their choice with sew-ins. Now grab some bundle deals, and let’s get you a new hairstyle from Private Label!