Hair services can be confusing. For instance, there are big differences between a lace frontal, a lace front wig, a frontal sew-in, or a closure sew-in. Different kinds of frontals can also lead to different hair results. What is a frontal sew-in, exactly? Here’s a guide to the process.
What Is a Frontal Sew-In?
A frontal is a piece of hair stitched onto lace that is large enough to cover your whole hairline. Frontals come in different widths: 13 x 4 inches, 13 x 6 inches and 13 x 8 inches. Wider frontals go further back towards the nape of the neck and let you part your hair more deeply. There are also 360 frontal pieces that wrap around the entire head.
A lace piece in front blends with the skin to give the look of hair growing out of your scalp, similar to a lace front wig. A frontal sew-in is different from a wig because your stylist sews the frontal and additional hair bundles into braids individually. A frontal sew-in doesn’t use glue or tape like a typical wig install and only uses a needle and thread. If you have a high hairline, a frontal sew-in can alter your hairline to be slightly lower.
How Do You Get and Maintain a Frontal Sew-In?
Here’s how a frontal sew-in works:
- The stylist braids your natural hair in cornrows.
- They fit the frontal piece to your head and cut it to match the size and shape of your hairline.
- With a needle and thread, the stylist sews the lace of the piece into the cornrows for a secure fit.
- The stylist sews in additional bundles through the back of your hair.
A frontal sew-in can last for six to eight weeks, but you should go back to the salon for repairs and touch-ups every two to four weeks. Over time, the lace can shift or break slightly. Covering your frontal with a scarf while you sleep can help it last longer.
What Is a 360 Frontal?
A 360 frontal is a piece that wraps around the entire hairline in front, on the sides and around the back. With a 360 frontal, you can pull your hair up into buns with a natural-looking hairline and you need fewer bundles to complete the sew-in.
Is a Frontal Sew-In the Same as a Closure Sew-In?
Closures are similar to frontals, but smaller (only 4 x 4 inches in size.) Closures are faster to sew in and have less lace to maintain, but they only let you part your hair in the center or slightly to the side. Frontals give a bigger range of styling options because they cover the entire hairline.
Learn More About What a Frontal Is and Other Hair Questions
If you want to know more about what a frontal sew-in is or if sew-ins are better than wigs, a hair professional can help you decide. At Hair Fetish Atlanta Salon, we have over 10 years of experience making our clients’ hair dreams come true. Book an appointment with us to answer all your hair questions.
