If you’re like me and don’t want to use wig glue to secure your wigs, then you’ve come to the right place! A few months ago I started to sew in my full lace wigs and it has changed my life for the better. Since we’re all friends here and love sharing lace wig hacks, I have done some research to ease the transition from gluing to sewing in your wig, and here’s what I’ve found.
Full lace wigs can be sewn in. This method is perfect for women who want to avoid the negative side effects of using glue and adhesives. Sewing your full lace wig requires only two tools, and these are thread as well as a threading needle. Sewing your full lace wigs is great if you want to wear your wig for longer than just a few days.
With that being said, it is so important to take all the factors into consideration before you decide if you want to sew-in your full lace wig, so keep reading to find out the pros and cons as well as how to secure it and how long you can expect your sew-in wig to last!
The Pros & Cons Of Sewing Your Full Lace Wig On
A pro of sewing your full lace wig on is that you know that your wig is secured to your head no matter what. You can swim, sleep, or shower in your wig, and it will not slip off. The con of sewing your full lace wig is that they can be too tight and cause friction and tension on your roots, leading to a permanent hair loss called Traction Alopecia.
| The Pros of Sewing your Full Lace Wig: | The Cons of Sewing your Full Lace Wig: |
| Your hair is secure. | It can cause pressure on the head due to tightness. |
| You do not need to use any glue or other adhesives. | If neglected, your natural hair could suffer and become damaged. |
| There is little manipulation needed. | The removal process can be lengthy. |
The Pros:
- Your hair is secure. By sewing in your full lace wig there is an extremely secure hold, provided that your natural hair is secured in its protective style, usually braids. The wig is sewn onto the braids so if the braids are loose then your wig will be loose as well.
- There is little manipulation needed. If you decide to sew in your full lace wig you will not have to be concerned about styling your natural hair underneath it for a while as it will be in a protective style such as braids/cornrows. In addition to this, the less we manipulate our hair, the more it promotes hair growth. This is perfect for someone who has an active lifestyle and also wants to let their natural hair growth.
The Cons:
- The tightness can cause irritation. Sometimes, the pressure of the thread on your natural hair can cause a feeling of tightness, especially if your hair is in really small braids or cornrows. This creates a feeling of “constant pulling” especially on your hairline which can lead to damage and even traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is characterized as hair loss which is a direct result of the weight of the hairpiece around your hairline.
- May affect your natural hair. When you sew in your full lace wig, you don’t have complete access to your hair underneath the wig which can damage your hair if you wear your wig for extremely long periods. Make sure that if you wash your wig whilst it is sewn in that your natural hair gets completely dry after washing. Do not just focus on drying just your wig, concentrate on your natural hair underneath as well to prevent mold or matting.
- The removal process is lengthy. Removing your sewn-in full lace wig can be more time consuming and tedious than actually installing it! The threat of accidentally cutting your hair whilst trying to cut the thread is very real! Especially when you get to the threads at the back of your head. I recommend that you ask a friend to help you or go to your hairdresser. Another thing to take into consideration is that you may experience shedding and tangling, so be patient and gentle with your hair during the removal process.
If you’re still unsure about whether sewing in your full lace wig is the right thing to do, just know that it is actually the most secure method when it comes to wearing a lace wig or any type of hairpiece for that matter.
However, if you have spent a large sum of money on purchasing your amazing lace wig, finding a qualified hairdresser to help you sew in your lace wig may be out of your budget. We all want to look beautiful but our wallets shouldn’t have to suffer for it!
Below is a simple guide for all the DIY women out there, and this step-by-step method will show you what you need as well as the process for sewing in your full lace wig on your own.
How To Sew A Full Lace Wig On
To sew your full lace wig on, part your wig horizontally from ear to ear and part the top section in half vertically. Stitch the horizontal section of your head(anchor stitch), then stitch from the front of the right side to the left side and stitch back towards the anchor stitch, then stitch moving away from it to secure your hair at the top.
Keep reading for an in-depth step-by-step method on how to sew your full lace wig on.
You will need:
- An old toothbrush
- Banana Clips
- A tail comb
- Weaving thread
- A curved needle for weaving
- Your beautiful full lace wig
Step 01. Neatly braid your natural hair. The pattern is optional, although if you’re a beginner I suggest you do cornrows.
Step 02. Carefully place your wig on your head where you’d like it so sit.
Step 03. Brush your baby hairs under your lace wig out using an old toothbrush.
Step 04. Using your comb, part your hair horizontally across the middle of your head from ear to ear. Then part the top section in half vertically. Your hair should be in 3 sections.
Step 05. Begin stitching the horizontal section of your head. This is called the anchor stitch. Use the banana clips to keep the sections you’re not working with out of the way.
Step 06. Continue by stitching from the front of the right side to the left side then stitch back in the direction of your anchor stitch.
Step 07. Finally, use a banana clip to clip a section of your hair in the front (avoid using the partings you like to wear your hair in, the middle part of the side part for example, depending on your personal style). Stitch moving backward in order to strongly secure your hair at the top.
The sew-in method is ideal as it can also offer women with oily and sweaty skin a secure hold for their full lace wig. Whereas some glues and adhesives may be less effective due to oily skin. This method also allows more breathability for your hair and scalp.
How Long Does a Full Lace Wig Sew-In Last?
Hairstylists recommend wearing your sew-in from 10 days to 3 weeks at a time though Some women keep their sew-in for longer periods of time such as 2-3 months. As long as you’re taking care of your real hair, the threads are still secure and tight, and you’re not experiencing any discomfort, you can keep your wig sewn in for longer than 3 weeks.
Remember that the secureness and tightness of your threads are dependent on the secureness and tightness of your braids under the lace wig.
You will need to wash your wig regardless of whether the hair is synthetic or human hair, washing your wig can also loosen the threads. Factors such as natural hair growth can also either shorten or lengthen how long you can wear your sew-in.
Your haircare routine and the quality of your full lace wig will also affect how long your full lace wig sew-in will last. Be careful though, you can cause your hairline to recede and prevent your natural hair from growing if you keep your lace wig sewn in for too long. So to avoid this, stick to the recommendation of 3 weeks at a time.
Sewing-in your full lace wig, when done correctly, can give you the most natural as well as effortlessly beautiful look. Once you try this method you’ll never want to spend money on glue and adhesives again!
Want to learn more about full lace wigs and the benefits that come with wearing them? Check out this article.
Final Thoughts
Now that you are fully equipped with the knowledge of the pros and cons of sew-in wigs and exactly how to apply them, you can confidently rock your wig! Just be sure to follow the above tips and recommendations to ensure your natural hair is fully protected as well as to keep your wig lasting as long as possible.