Decoding the Lifespan of Your Weave - The Ultimate Truth Revealed

By Aniq HeardJan 29, 2020

The Truth: How Long Does My Sew-In Weave Last?

For ladies who love a glamorous look and want to protect their natural hair, there’s no better way to go than the sew-in weave. Sew-ins are installed on top of your braided, natural hair, shielding it from the damage of heat tools, combing, and brushing. As a result, your natural hair remains strong, healthy and gorgeous for whenever you want to rock a natural look.

The great thing about sew-ins is the better you take care of them, the longer they will last. Today, we’re going over the question of exactly how long sew-in weaves last and covering some simple things you can do to lengthen their lifespan. Gorgeous hair can be an investment, so you want to make it go as far as possible and lengthen the time between visits to the salon!

How Long Does a Sew-In Last?

The long answer to this question is that it really varies based on the type of extension you use, the skill of your hairstylist, how fast your hair grows, how closely you follow hair extension care guidelines and a few other factors. But the quick answer is that sew-ins tend to last between six and 12 weeks. Choosing the right sew-ins and meticulously caring for them will help you keep your weave in for closer to 12 weeks.

How to Make Your Sew-In Last

Weaves and extensions get itchy, dirty or oily and lose their ability to hold style when they aren’t properly taken care of. All of these issues can be prevented by following a few simple sew-in care tips.

Wrap Your Hair at Night—Yes, you REALLY do need to wrap your sew-ins, no exceptions! Before bed, put your hair up in a protective satin bonnet, a scarf or a hair wrap so that the strands don’t get tangled while you sleep. We also recommend investing in a satin pillowcase and styling and prepping the hair before bed. Read more ways to protect your hair extensions while sleeping.

Wash Hair Gently—Washing your installed weave once a week or once every other week can help it last longer and maintain its gorgeous sheen and texture. Whenever you’re washing your sew-in extensions, make sure to use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. You may also want to deep condition the ends of your extensions if they look and feel super dry. After you have finished washing and conditioning your hair, be sure to sit under a hooded dryer to allow your hair weave extensions and your natural hair to dry completely.

Choose Quality Hair—Starting with premium, high-quality virgin hair is key to making your sew-ins last. Quality hair will allow you to straighten and curl without causing any permanent damage, which is great news for those of us seeking out versatility. Premium hair does not have to cost a ton, either—check out our hair bundle deals to see for yourself!

Respect the Hair—Lastly, remember to respect your hair weave extensions. They should be treated with the same care and maintenance as your real hair. Wash, brush, wrap and protect your weave as much as possible in order to help it stay gorgeous for longer.

Signs It’s Time to Take Out Your Sew-In

Even if you care for your extensions by the book, you’re still going to see signs that it’s time to take it out. The fact is that your natural hair is still growing (and that’s a good sign, because it means it’s healthy and properly protected). After about two months, your leave-out hair grows and pushes the extensions down. When this occurs, it is time to take your sew in down.

Follow Your Instincts

Trust us, we ALL want to keep our hair laid at all times, but it’s important that you trust your instincts and have it removed as soon as it starts to show signs that it is time to come out. One of the most beautiful things about extensions and sew-ins is that they let you change up your look on the regular so you never get sick of a certain style.

Eli Richardson
December 11, 2023

I heard that my older sister has an important corporate event in a few weeks, and she said she’d like to change her hair looks before that. I’m glad you explained how to keep your weaves and extensions in good shape and prevent damaging them, so I’ll be sure to send your tips to my sister right now. Thanks for the insight on sew-in weaves and the importance of washing them carefully.