Sew Ins vs Crochet Hair, What's The Difference?

With many trends and styles emerging with sew-ins and crochet hair, it's not surprising that a lot of women have put them against each other. These protective styles have grown to become household names, and in recent years, we've seen just how much crochet hair has risen in popularity.

Now, onto the questions. While some still find them confusing and wonder if they are the same, others want to know how long you can wear them, which one is more durable, and whether they are installed the same way.

So, in this post, let's answer all these questions by touching on what each of the styles is and what their differences are. We'll put them head-to-head and see which one wins in your books. Let's go!

What is Sew In?

A sew-in is a styling technique that involves braiding the natural hair to give a foundation base and then sewing the wefts on top of the hair. This installation technology attaches weaves to your natural hair with the use of a needle and thread. It is always fast, easy to install, and stylish.

With a sew-in, you could achieve a full, voluminous, and lengthy style. It is generally natural-looking and very protective of natural hair. But the best part is the fact that you can go for short hair extensions or long hair extensions to get any look of your choice. This method results in a long-lasting hairstyle that can stay for months, as long as you care for it properly.

Pros and Cons of Sew-In

Sew-in, often called weaves, has several pros and a few disadvantages. Take a look at some of them below.

Pros

👉Shop This Brazilian Loose Deep Wave Human Hair Sew In Weave

✅1. It can be styled in different textures. You can go for curly, straight, and wavy sew-in hair extensions.

✅2. It is very protective of the hair. Sew-in can help keep your hair safe, minimizing manipulation and protecting it from any damage caused by the environment.

✅3. The hair extensions are versatile. You can style them in different ways and go for different looks. From short to long and medium styles, there is no limit to what you can do.

✅4. A sew-in is low-maintenance. It does not require you to take a lot of styling steps every day to keep them beautiful. Sew-in also stays in place and looks natural.

✅5. The hair installation does not require glue or tape, making it a safe choice for natural hair.

✅6. You can color and style the hair extensions you use just like your natural hair.

✅7. It is durable. Sew-in can last for a long time after installation. Also, you do not have to be bothered about doing some activities like swimming.

Cons

❌1. If installed too tightly, a sew-in can cause damage to your natural hair. As we all know, tight hair can pull on the strands, causing them to break and, in the long run, leading to hair loss.

❌2. Since the natural hair is braided and the wefts are installed in the braids, there’s little access to the scalp. This makes it difficult for air to reach underneath the wefts and for you to oil or moisturize.

❌3. It requires 4 hours or even longer to install; if you go to the hair salon, it can be more expensive.

What is Crochet Hair?

This is a styling method that involves looping hair extensions to the natural hair using a latch hook or, as popularly called, a crochet needle. The process is always fast, seamless, and easy. While many people might think the hair extensions needed are weaves like in the case of sew-ins, they are actually different. Crochet hair braids do not have wefts; instead, they are in loose loops.

These hair extensions are usually in various lengths, textures, and styles. And similar to sew-ins, all you need to do is create a braided base before installing the hair on your head.

Modern crochet hair extensions, like feather crochet hair, have brought versatility, safer installations, and carefree looks. Now, you can achieve different styles easily without the need to separate the hair or feel heavy and experience heat.

Pros and Cons of Crochet Hair

Here are some of the pros and cons of crochet hair:

Pros

✅2. It causes less tension on the scalp. Since the crochet hair extensions are lightweight and installed individually, the hair doesn’t pull on your natural hair and scalp.

✅3. Crochet hair requires little to no daily care. In other words, it is low maintenance. You can easily moisturize and style, then be on your way.

✅4. Crochet hair offers you a variety of styles. From curls to braids and straight options, there are many looks you can choose.

✅5. It is breathable. This method allows air to reach your scalp easily. It doesn’t trap heat, sweat, or products, which can lead to itchiness. You can also take proper care of your hair without struggling.

Cons

❌1. Bulky, heavy crochet hair can put pressure on your scalp. This could lead to issues like breakage and traction alopecia, especially for women with sensitive scalps.

❌2. Synthetic crochet hair options might tangle. Without proper care, they might also not look great after a few weeks.

Differences Between Sew-Ins and Crochet Hair

Now that we've discussed what each style and method is all about, let’s take a look at their differences.

1. Installation Method

While both sew-in and crochet hair require a braided base before installation, once the braids are done, there are two opposite methods.

For sew-in, the wefts are sewn with a needle and thread onto the braids. Crochet hair uses a latch hook to attach the hair extensions to the hair.

Just as I've said, these processes are quite different. However, they both require your expertise to look good and remain comfortable. If not, there might be issues of traction alopecia, breakage, and even scalp sores.

2. Scalp Health

Sew-in lays very flat against the scalp, which helps to create a natural style. But this process leaves no room for cleaning or massaging the scalp. This barrier can cause dryness, itching, and irritation over time.

This is different for crochet hair. Since the crochet hair extensions are attached in individual loops, there’s room in between. Meaning, you can easily access your scalp, apply oils, and cleanse your scalp.  

3. Maintenance

Generally, sew-in and crochet hair are quite easy to maintain. However, this can change drastically depending on your hair extensions. Synthetic hair extensions need to be properly cared for to avoid tangling and frizz. While this applies to human hair extensions as well, they aren’t prone to tangling.

You can maintain your sew-in by brushing and wrapping your hair at night. And you can care for your crochet hair by applying mousse or any water-based product minimally.

4. Styling Time

Crochet hair installation is significantly faster than sew-in installation. While the latter doesn’t take as much time compared to some other styles like braids, it still takes between two and four hours to get it completed, which is longer than one to three hours for crochet hair.

5. Durability and Lifespan

Sew-in styles tend to last longer than crochet hairstyles. They are far more durable for long wear, lasting up to two months or more with proper care. However, crochet hair lasts a bit shorter. Considering this factor, I'll say crochet hair is best for a short-term look.

6. Weight and Comfort

Unlike sew-in, crochet hair is extremely lightweight. Since the hair extensions are latched one by one, they are very comfortable and do not place tension on the scalp. This makes them a good option for summer. But sew-in can be a bit heavier due to the process. The density of sewing wefts to the braids adds weight overall. Notwithstanding, I wouldn’t say it is uncomfortable.

Sew Ins vs Crochet Hair: Which is Better?

Both sew-in and crochet hair give each other a run for their money. They’ve won us over with their durability (sew-ins) and little to no weight (crochet hair). But can we conclude which of these methods is the best?

I highly doubt that!  This is because they are very suitable for everyone. So, why not choose based on your choice?

For those who want lightweight hairstyles, they can go for crochet hair. On the other hand, those who prefer a durable style can choose a sew-in.

Also, I would absolutely recommend crochet hair for anyone who does not want to make a fuss about styling regularly or wants a voluminous and fluffy style. And sew-in will be my best bet for women who want a more secure install and long-lasting style.

Conclusion

It is safe to say that sew-ins and crochet hair offer you beautiful styles without sacrificing the health of your natural hair. While their methods are different, it was never really about which one is the best, but about what you want.

I’ve discussed their pros, cons, and highlighted their differences in this post, so consider all these factors, then make your choice. Once you do, be sure to stop at the Hermosa Hair website to get the best human hair extension at an affordable price.

The brand has a collection of sew-ins and crochet hair you can install, ranging from different lengths to colors and textures. Take a look at what’s available on the site today, then choose and check out your products. I’m certain you’ll absolutely find what you love on our site.