Protecting your hair is an essential part of any hair care routine. Wearing protective styles, like wigs and sew-ins, are a great way to ensure that your hair stays healthy and strong. The goal of wearing a protective style is to safeguard your hair from any damage caused by regular styling, reduce breakage, and also help with length retention. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of wearing both wigs and sew-ins as well as tips on how to choose which one is right for you. 

Pros and Cons of Wearing Wigs

Over the last few years, wigs have become are an extremely popular protective hairstyle amongst women of color. However, before deciding to commit to wearing a wig, it’s important to analyze the pros and cons of using wigs as a protective style.

So, what exactly should you consider when deciding if wigs are the right protective style for you?

Pros of Wearing Wigs

Firstly, wigs completely cover and protect your natural hair from any harmful effects from the environment, like sun and wind damage for example. It also covers up any existing damage to the hair, to prevent the hair from being damaged further.

Also, wigs are extremely versatile. It’s easy to change the length, style, or color of your hair by simply changing your wig. They allow you to try new styles without the worry of damaging your hair to achieve them.

Cons of Wearing Wigs

First and foremost, a high-quality wig can be expensive. Considering you might need to purchase several wigs to maintain a variety of different hairstyles, wearing wigs as a protective style could be very pricey. 

Additionally, a wig requires routine maintenance to look its best. Wigs need to be washed and restyled every couple of weeks if used regularly. Product buildup in wigs can damage the hair and clog the pores on your face.

Finally, some people experience discomfort while wearing a wig. Different wigs are made of different fibers and can easily irritate the skin, especially with cheaper or synthetic wigs.

Pros and Cons of Wearing Sew-ins

Sew-in weaves are another very popular hairstyle within the black community. Before you decide whether or not sew-ins are the right choice for you, let’s explore the pros and cons of wearing sew-ins as a protective style.

Pros of Wearing Sew-ins

First, one of the biggest benefits of sew-ins is the variety of styles they provide the wearer. Using sew-ins allows you to create several different, unique looks by choosing from a variety of different textures, lengths, and colors.

In addition, sew-ins allow you to give your hair a break from being manipulated. Black hair is very fragile and can be easily damaged by constantly combing or styling your hair. By wearing a sew-in, your hair is given a break from constant styling and heat.

Lastly, sew-ins also last longer than some other protective styles. While wearing a sew-in as a protective style, you can go a few weeks without needing to do maintenance on your hair.

Cons of Wearing Sew-ins

However, sew-ins, like many other hairstyles, also come with a few drawbacks. 

First, they can be quite expensive. Based on the quality of the hair and the type of style chosen, sew-in weave bundles can be expensive to purchase.  

Also, it can take a long time to install a sew-in. Installing a sew-in weave includes several steps and can be quite time-consuming. Several hours would need to be set aside for each sew-in install appointment.

Finally, sew-ins can put pressure on your hairline and even lead to hair loss. To install a sew-in the thread is looped around the hair, if this is done too tight it can be very painful and lead to traction alopecia.

Which is the right choice for me?

The choice between using wigs or sew-ins as a protective style is a common decision. To decide which option is right for you three things must be considered, lifestyle, hair goals, and budget.

Firstly, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and hair care routine when deciding on the right protective style. If you are the type of person who often changes their hairstyle, wigs would be the best choice. Wigs are easy to install and remove and require a much shorter time and much less effort to put o and take off. Sew-ins, on the other hand, take several hours to install and remove. If you’re interested in a low-maintenance hairstyle that lasts several weeks, sew-ins would be the right choice.

Secondly, another important consideration when choosing a protective style is the intention behind the hairstyle. If you’re looking for a temporary hairstyle, then wigs would be the right option for you. Sew-ins on the other hand, are more permanent and can last for several weeks before needing to be removed. 

Finally, consider your budget. If you're on a tight budget, wigs may be the best choice for you. Wigs come in a wide variety of styles and different price points and can be installed yourself. High-quality bundles can be expensive and since sew-ins would require someone knowledgeable to install them, this would involve an additional cost.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to wear sew-ins or wigs as a protective style comes down to what works best for your lifestyle and budget. If you consider these factors while deciding, it’s easier to decide which style suits you best.

Where can I find high-quality wigs and sew-in bundles?

Hair-N-Paris is an online store that has a wide variety of high-quality wigs and bundles. They procure Brazilian, Peruvian, and Malaysian virgin hair and are known for providing soft, tangle-free, and shed-free hair.

If you decide that wigs are the right option for your hair, Hair-N-Paris has a selection of Glueless Lace Wigs and Full Lace Wigs to choose from.

If wigs aren’t for you and you decide to use sew-ins as a protective style, Hair-N-Paris has a wide selection of bundles to choose from. They offer 3 bundle sets, 4 bundle sets, single bundles, and frontals.

Hair-N-Paris has an excellent selection of wigs and weaves that are perfect to suit the need of a new wig or sew-in wearer.