Lace Closure Sew-In: What Is It, How to Install & Maintain, How Long Does It Last
Closure sew-ins have long been revered in the hair weave community as a trusted and versatile method for achieving a natural-looking and protective hairstyle. Despite the rise of closure wigs and lace fronts, closure sew-ins continue to hold their popularity. This article aims to highlight the benefits and versatility of lace closure sew-ins, making them the ideal choice for those transitioning from relaxed to natural hair or anyone seeking a heat-free, seamless blend. Additionally, we will explore the longevity and diverse styling options that can be achieved with closure sew-ins.
What Is A Lace Closure Sew-In?
A lace closure sew-in involves your natural hair being braided down into cornrows. A lace closure piece is sewn into the braids at the top of your head. Lace closures are mesh and lace bases with hairs individually knotted into the material, creating a natural simulated scalp appearance. Long wefts or bundles are then sewn into the braided hair underneath the closure piece.
Benefits of Lace Closure Sew In
Versatility in Styling:
One of the key advantages of lace closure sew-ins is the versatility they offer when it comes to styling. The lace closure, which mimics the appearance of a natural scalp, allows for various parting and styling options. Whether you prefer a middle part, side part, or a sleek updo, a closure sew-in provides seamless blending and allows for effortless creativity.
Protection during Transitioning:
Closure sew-ins serve as an excellent protective hairstyle for individuals transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. They create a safe environment for the transitioning hair by keeping it shielded from external factors such as heat styling and environmental damage. This ultimately promotes healthier hair growth and minimizes breakage.
Seamless Blend for Natural Hair:
Women with natural hair can also benefit greatly from lace closure sew-ins, as they provide a seamless blend between their natural hair and extensions. By eliminating the need for heat styling, closure sew-ins allow natural hair to thrive without compromising its texture or curl pattern. This protective style offers a beautiful, cohesive look that seamlessly integrates the extensions with the wearer's natural hair.
Extended Lifespan with Proper Care:
When adequately cared for, lace closure sew-ins can have a longer lifespan compared to other hair extension methods. Regular maintenance, such as washing with sulfate-free shampoos, conditioning, and avoiding excessive heat, can help preserve the quality of both the natural hair and extensions. This prolongs the duration of the sew-in and ensures it remains vibrant and undetectable.
Convenience and Time-saving:
Closure sew-ins offer a time-saving solution for those seeking low-maintenance yet beautiful hairstyles. Once installed, they require minimal daily styling, allowing for a hassle-free hair routine. This convenience makes closure sew-ins an ideal choice for individuals with busy lifestyles or those who prefer to dedicate less time to styling their hair.
How Long Does A Closure Sew In Last?
The simple and straight answer to this question is that Closure Sew-in can last more than half a year, approximately eight months, or the whole year 12 months. But we don't recommend you keep it installed and never think about it for 8 to 12 months. To avoid bacterial growth and protect your natural hair, we suggest you clean (deep cleaning or shampooing) your sew-in weaves at least twice a month. Besides, in this way, the natural appearance of the closure sew-in can also be maintained well, cause the natural hair is growing underneath the sew-ins.
What's more, the lifespan of a closure sew-in weave also relies on how high-quality the lace closure is and how you take care of it. Typically, human hair lace closure has a longer lifespan than synthetic hair closure. Besides, the quality of the lace base is also a key factor.
How Long Does A 6x6 Closure Sew In Last?
Usually, a 6x6 closure install will take you about 2-3 hours to sew in, but the service time can last about 6 months, and we recommend you go to salon to give your 6x6 closure wig a deep caring and maintenance every 2-4 weeks after you installed the 6x6 closure and bundles. This method can extend the service time of your 6x6 lace closure sew in with bundles, make your 6x6 lace closure wig look more natural and good condition.
We also recommend you take off your 6x6 closure with bundles until it is broken. You should take off the lace closure 6x6 and human hair bundles sew in every 2 weeks to maintain both your 6x6 closure wig and your natural hair. This is essential to extend the lifespan of your 6x6 lace closure with bundles, and the health of your natural hair.
How to Sew In Lace Closure?
To sew in a lace closure, you will need the following supplies:
Lace closure: Choose a lace closure that matches your desired hair texture, color, and length.
Weaving thread and needle: Use a strong, matching thread specifically designed for sewing in hair extensions. The needle should be thin and sharp for precise stitching.
Hair bundles or wefts: These will be sewn along with the closure to create the full hairstyle.
Scissors: Use them to trim excess lace and to cut the thread.
Wig cap or weaving net (optional): It provides a foundation for the closure and helps to secure it in place.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to sew in a lace closure:
Step 1: Prepare your natural hair:
Wash your hair and dry it thoroughly.
Cornrow your natural hair into neat and flat rows. The number of cornrows and their pattern will depend on the desired style and the size of the closure.
Step 2: Attach the wig cap or weaving net (optional):
If using a wig cap or weaving net, place it over your cornrowed hair and secure it tightly with clips or bobby pins. Make sure it sits comfortably and covers the entire head where the closure will be placed.
Step 3: Position and secure the closure:
Place the closure on the desired area of your head, ensuring it aligns with your natural hairline or desired part.
Use clips or pins to hold the closure in place temporarily.
Step 4: Begin sewing:
Thread the needle with the weaving thread and tie a knot at the end.
Starting from one side of the closure, begin sewing through the tiny holes or loops along the edge of the closure.
Stitch along the edge of the closure, going from one side to the other, creating a secure and tight line of stitches. Make sure the stitches are close together for added durability.
Step 5: Attach the hair wefts:
Once the closure is securely in place, start attaching the hair wefts by sewing them onto the closure.
Take a hair weft and align it with the closure, starting at the back.
Use the same needle and thread to sew through the weft and the closure, creating firm stitches. Ensure that the stitches are secure but not too tight to prevent damaging the closure or the weft.
Continue to attach the remaining hair wefts, working your way forward toward the front of the closure.
Step 6: Finishing touches:
Once all the wefts are sewn in, double-check the closure to ensure it is securely attached and lies flat against your scalp.
Trim any excess lace from the closure, leaving a small margin around the hairline for a seamless appearance.
Style the hair as desired, blending the closure and wefts with your natural hair.
Is A Lace Closure A Sew In Or Wig?
Wearing a sew-in lace frontal extension often requires weekly upkeep and maintenance to achieve better results and a more natural look. However, if you don't want to go through all that styling, you should rock a lace frontal wig, which doesn't require as much work as sew-ins.
Lace Closure Sew-in Vs. Lace Frontal Sew-in
Lace closure sew-ins and lace frontal sew-ins are two popular techniques in the world of hair extensions. While they both involve the use of lace to create a natural-looking hairline, there are some key differences between the two. Let's compare lace closure sew-ins and lace frontal sew-ins in terms of their features, benefits, and application methods.
Size and Coverage:
Lace Closure Sew-in: A lace closure is a smaller piece of lace typically measuring around 4x4 inches. It is designed to cover a specific area at the top or crown of the head, allowing for parting versatility within that area.
Lace Frontal Sew-in: A lace frontal is a larger piece of lace that spans from ear to ear, covering the entire front hairline. It offers a wider parting space and allows for more styling options, including pulling the hair up into high ponytails or other updo styles.
Styling Options:
Lace Closure Sew-in: Lace closures provide limited styling options within the covered area. They are primarily designed for creating natural-looking partings, such as center parts or side parts.
Lace Frontal Sew-in: Lace frontals offer more flexibility when it comes to styling. With a lace frontal, you can create virtually any hairstyle, including parting the hair anywhere along the frontal, pulling the hair back, or styling it into various updos.
Natural Hairline:
Lace Closure Sew-in: Lace closures mimic a natural hairline within the covered area. They provide a realistic-looking scalp appearance and seamless blending with your natural hair.
Lace Frontal Sew-in: Lace frontals create a complete and natural-looking hairline from ear to ear, giving the illusion of hair growing directly from the scalp. This allows for greater versatility in styling and a more seamless blend.
Installation Process:
Lace Closure Sew-in: Installing a lace closure involves sewing it onto a braided base, typically at the top or crown area. The closure is placed and sewn down, ensuring it lies flat against the scalp.
Lace Frontal Sew-in: Lace frontals require a more intricate installation process. They are typically installed by being sewn or glued along the front hairline, creating a seamless transition from the natural hair to the frontal.
Maintenance and Lifespan:
Lace Closure Sew-in: Lace closures are generally easier to maintain due to their smaller size. They require less manipulation and less frequent styling, resulting in a longer lifespan with proper care.
Lace Frontal Sew-in: Lace frontals may require more maintenance due to their larger size and more exposed area. Frontals need to be properly secured and may require more frequent styling and care to preserve their appearance.
How To Maintain Closure Sew-In?
Gently detangle the extensions and closure using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Avoid excessive brushing.
Wash the hair weekly or biweekly using cool water and a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo. Over-washing can cause matting.
Use a hair dryer on a cool setting when drying. Allow hair to air dry as much as possible. Limit direct heat on the extensions.
Apply a leave-in conditioner and hair serum to the extensions and closure after washing. This helps prevent dryness and breakage.
At night, loosely tie up the hair or use a soft, silk bonnet or pillowcase. This avoids tangling during sleep.
Get the closure and tracks tightened up by your stylist around the 4 week mark. This secures any loosened areas.
Avoid exposing hair to pools, saltwater, sweat-inducing workouts as the moisture can make the extensions mat and shed.
When styling, use gentle tension on the hair and avoid repetitive friction on the same areas.
Trim the closure lace as needed if the adhesive lifts up or dries out while worn.
Stick to your normal haircare regimen like trims and dustings for your leave-out hair.