What Are Sew-In Hair Extensions?
I’ll never forget it. My doomed trip to a hair salon when I was a young girl. Within seconds, the hairdresser had chopped off my waist-long hair all the way to my neck.
I was devastated. And yet, I probably would have saved hours of crying if I had known back then about the wonderful magic of sew in hair extensions.
Maybe you haven’t had a bad hair salon trip like I did, but you’ve just been watching too many Disney Princess movies and can’t stop fantasizing about having long luscious hair.
Or maybe your best friend’s wedding is coming up soon and you desperately want to show up with classy, healthy-looking locks.
Hair extensions are a great answer to all these unique dilemmas and desires.
So, how do they work?
What Are Hair Extensions?
For those seeking longer, fuller hair, there are many ways to create this desired look with hair extensions. Extensions come in two kinds: human hair and synthetic.
Synthetic is fake hair but made to closely resemble real human hair and can be very convincing.
Human hair extensions, also known as “virgin hair” are directly from the scalp of a donor. These tend to be the most popular since they are the most authentic looking and can be treated as you would your normal hair. They also have not been dyed or treated with chemicals.
Now, Choose Your Look
Different factors can change the appearance of extensions. The ethnicity of the donor will determine the appearance. Knowing this, there’s an array of volumes, textures, and styles to chose from. Straight, wavy, curly, the possibilities are endless.
Before you get too excited, you should figure out how much extra hair you want to add to your own as this will determine the price you’ll pay as well.
How Much Will It Cost?
Since the application process can be time-consuming and meticulous, you’ll want to get them done at a hair salon with stylists highly experienced in sew in hair extensions. I would suggest checking out Hairlaya – they have an extensive palette of colors, textures, and stylists to choose from.
If you decide to see a professional, you’ll pay about $200-$400 depending on the number of weaves you need and the brand. The price will include the cost of the weave and the work done by the stylist.
How Are They Applied?
With glue, tape, clip-ons, or the most popular method, with a needle and thread, which are sew-in extensions.
When it comes to applying them, there are many choices. I highly do suggest sew-ins because they have the most reputable and long-lasting results across a wide range of customers.
So why chose sew-in extensions over all other types?
How Are Sew In Hair Extensions Different?
Sew-ins are very reliable! In contrast to glue and clip-on extensions, sew-ins are the most permanent type and will last for the longest period of time. If taken care of well, they can last up to 6-8 weeks, which is the recommended amount of time before changing them (link).
There’s also no way these extensions will fall off your scalp or come loose because they are braided tightly to your real hair making them secure.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be extra careful in the maintenance of your new hair. You’ve paid a lot of money after all and will want to make sure you’re taking proper care to keep them long-lasting and healthy.
Proper Care Techniques
Taking care of your extensions doesn’t end at the hair salon. You’ll want to put in the effort each day to maintain the beauty of your long locks.
Here are a few tips for caring for your sew-ins.
1. Avoid Hot Styling Tools
Yes, you can use hot styling tools, straighteners, and curlers, with real human hair extensions, but it’s recommended you try to avoid them if possible. The less heat used on them, the less damage your hair will endure. Try going for a more natural look. If you really want to create some definition, hair gels or creams are your best friends to create those curls.
2. Moisturize
Moisturizing is a great way to keep your extensions shiny, healthy, and intact. A common problem can be an itchy scalp and nobody wants that. So I recommend you deep-condition your hair once a week as well as thoroughly moisturizing each day with creams of your choosing.
3. Use Products Containing Protein
Another way to avoid that unwanted itch from dirt buildup on your scalp is to wash your hair really well with products and shampoos that contain some kind of protein. This is another way to lock in that extra moisture and shine so your extensions don’t look dry or dull.
4. Protect Your Hair When Swimming
Harsh chemicals like chlorine or salt water can damage and discolor your hair. If you decide to go swimming, wear a cap to protect your hair so you are limiting the exposure to what will make your extensions brittle over time.
One Main Reason Not to Get Extensions
The key thing to keep in mind is sew-ins attach to your real hair. So if there isn’t enough volume or texture to thread to, the extensions will not work out too well.
If you have very thin hair or a lack of hair in general, sew-ins might not be the choice for you. They could cause discomfort, headaches or irritation by creating strain and pulling on the scalp.
If you have thick hair though, you will not need to worry about this.
The Beauty of Long Hair is Yours…Within Hours
No need to wait around months (or years!) to grow the long mermaid hair you so desire. Within hours and with a bit of investment, sew in hair extensions will give you those princess locks.
The choices of style are endless.
So call up your local stylists, make an appointment, and don’t forget to refer back here for the best techniques to keep your extensions healthy.
