Ballerific Beauty: How Long is Too Long For a Sew-in?

A very popular protective style for natural hair is the sew-in. The sew-in serves you a great purpose when you’re always on the go. It’s great for length, versatility, and protects you from damaging your hair with heat or chemicals.

Though they can be convenient, the downside to leaving a sew-in installed for too long is that it can cause your hair underneath to become matted or tangled. This leads to early hair loss.  Working out, swimming, and excessive sweat can cause a smell of mildew from the frequent damp hair. Not sticking to your typical hair care regimen while you have a sew-in can cause these types of issues along with dandruff and dry hair.

It is best practice that a sew-in should remain installed for 2-3 months. If you have very thick or coarse hair, the max is 4 months.

The weekly process you use for taking care of your natural hair should also be done for your sew-in. If you’re used to shampooing or a co-wash (conditioner wash) once a week or bi-weekly, incorporate the same care for your sew-in and other protective styles. Just because the hair did not grow from your scalp, doesn’t mean you should not continue to treat it as if it did.

Keep your scalp and natural hair moisturized 2-4 times a week by using a light oil; organic coconut oil, almond oil, or Amla Legend Rejuvenating Oil . Use a bottle that has a nozzle to reach in between your tracks. The next time you’re ready for a new sew-in, alternate the braid pattern.

When washing your hair, it is important to make sure that the hair is completely dry, down to the braids and tracks. Consider a salon-style hair dryer over a blow dryer to ensure the hair is completely dry and avoid mildew.

Keep in mind that your sew-in may look good to you 3 months later, but the most important concern is your natural hair underneath!