If you've been researching hair extension methods in the UK, chances are you've come across both the LA weave and the traditional sew-in. On the surface they look similar — both involve attaching a weft of hair to your natural hair. But the way they're installed, how they wear, how they're maintained, and who they're best suited to are meaningfully different.
Choosing the wrong method for your hair type, lifestyle, or goals doesn't just affect how your extensions look — it affects the health of your natural hair underneath. That matters more than most clients realise until they've experienced the difference firsthand.
This guide breaks down both methods honestly — what each involves, who each suits, and how to decide which is right for you. We've installed both methods at our Nottingham studio using raw hair, and everything in this guide comes from that direct experience rather than from generalised internet advice.
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A Quick Overview
| LA Weave | Traditional Sew-In | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation method | Weft attached to micro rings secured to natural hair | Weft sewn onto cornrowed natural hair |
| Adhesive or heat used? | No | No |
| Natural hair braided down? | No | Yes — cornrowed flat to the head |
| Scalp accessibility | High — scalp remains largely accessible | Low — scalp is covered by the braid base |
| Installation time | 1–2.5 hours depending on volume | 3–4 hours depending on volume and braid pattern |
| Maintenance interval | Every 6–8 weeks | Every 6–8 weeks |
| Natural hair impact | Low — no tension from braiding | Moderate — braiding and weft weight create some tension |
| Weft reusability | Yes — raw hair wefts can be reused across appointments | Yes — with careful removal and maintenance |
| Best for | Fine to medium hair; scalp-sensitive clients; active lifestyles | Medium to thick hair; clients wanting maximum coverage; protective styling |
The LA Weave: What It Is and How It Works
The LA weave, sometimes called a naked weave, is a weft-based extension method that attaches hair to your natural strands using small metal micro rings, with no braiding, no heat, and no adhesive involved.
How it's installed
Your natural hair is sectioned horizontally across the head. Small sections are threaded through micro rings, which are then clamped closed using a specialised tool. A weft of hair is then looped through or attached to those rings, sitting flat against the scalp. The process is repeated across as many rows as needed to achieve the desired volume and coverage.
Because the natural hair is not braided, it remains in its natural state throughout the installation. The scalp is accessible between the weft rows, and there is no braid base creating bulk or covering the roots.
What wearing an LA weave feels like
A well-installed LA weave should feel light and natural. The weft sits close to the scalp without the bulk of a braid base underneath it, which gives the installation a very flat, natural profile. Most clients find it comfortable to wear daily, including during exercise, and the accessible scalp makes washing and moisturising far more straightforward than with a traditional sew-in.
For a detailed breakdown of the method, visit our dedicated LA weave guide.
Maintenance and longevity
As your natural hair grows, the rings move down the hair shaft away from the scalp. Every 6 to 8 weeks, you'll need a maintenance appointment to have the rings repositioned back up to the root area. At this appointment, the weft is removed, the rings are repositioned, and the weft is reattached.
This is where raw hair delivers a significant practical benefit. Because the weft is unprocessed with its cuticle fully intact, it can be removed and reused at your maintenance appointment rather than replaced. Over a 12-month period, this reusability represents a meaningful cost saving compared to methods where the hair is replaced at each visit.
Who the LA weave suits
- Clients with fine to medium natural hair who may not have enough density for a stable cornrow base
- Clients who want to maintain access to their scalp for washing and moisturising throughout the wear period
- Active clients — those who exercise regularly, swim, or need to wash their hair frequently
- Clients who prefer a lighter, flatter installation profile
- Those with scalp sensitivity who find the tension of braiding uncomfortable
- Clients who want a method that minimises manipulation of their natural hair
Who should approach the LA weave with caution
- Clients with very fine or fragile natural hair — the micro rings require a minimum amount of natural hair to grip securely, and very fine strands may not hold the ring well enough to prevent slippage
- Clients with very short natural hair — the rings need sufficient length to attach to
- Those who want full coverage of the natural hair, as the sew-in offers a more complete braid base coverage
The Traditional Sew-In: What It Is and How It Works
The traditional sew-in is one of the most established extension methods available. Your natural hair is braided flat to the head in a cornrow pattern, and a weft of hair is then threaded and sewn directly onto those braids using a needle and thread.
How it's installed
The installation begins with cornrowing the natural hair flat to the scalp in a pattern designed to support the direction and placement of the wefts. The pattern varies depending on the desired style — a centre part, a side part, or a natural free-parting finish will each require a different cornrow layout.
Once the braid base is complete, wefts are sewn along each row from nape to crown, with thread passed through the weft and around the braid using a curved needle. The result is a secure, full installation where the natural hair is fully protected underneath the braid base.
What wearing a sew-in feels like
A sew-in feels more substantial than an LA weave — there is more structure to the installation, and the braid base creates a slightly raised profile at the root compared to the flat finish of the LA weave. For clients used to the method, this is entirely comfortable. For first-time wearers, there can be an adjustment period of a few days as the scalp settles.
The braided base means the scalp is largely covered and less accessible than with an LA weave. This affects how you wash and moisturise during the wear period and makes scalp care more deliberate.
For more detail on what the installation involves at our studio, see our sew-in extensions page.
Maintenance and longevity
Like the LA weave, a sew-in requires maintenance every 6 to 8 weeks. At that point the installation is removed, the natural hair is washed, conditioned, and assessed, and the sew-in is reinstalled fresh. The raw hair weft used in the installation can be cleaned and reused at each reinstallation — the same cost benefit applies as with the LA weave.
The most important maintenance consideration with a sew-in is not the extensions themselves but the natural hair and scalp underneath. Without deliberate attention, the hair under a sew-in can become dry and matted over time. Extending a sew-in beyond 8 weeks without professional maintenance significantly increases this risk.
Who the sew-in suits
- Clients with medium to thick natural hair that can form a stable, flat cornrow base
- Those who want maximum coverage of their natural hair — a sew-in is one of the most effective protective styles available
- Clients wanting a full, high-volume finish — the cornrow base allows for excellent density and a seamless blend at the roots
- Those who prefer a single installation that doesn't require day-to-day adjustment
- Clients growing out their natural hair who want to protect their length during the growing process
Who should approach the sew-in with caution
- Clients with fine or fragile natural hair — the tension of cornrowing and the weight of the weft sewn above it can stress fine strands, particularly around the hairline and edges
- Those with scalp conditions that are aggravated by reduced airflow or prolonged coverage
- Clients who need frequent scalp access for medical or hair health reasons
- Those who find the tension of braiding uncomfortable — if a sew-in installation feels tight immediately after fitting, it should be raised with your stylist. Tension that causes discomfort is not normal and should be addressed promptly
The Key Differences in Practice
Natural hair health
This is the most important differentiator for many clients. The LA weave exerts less tension on the natural hair because there is no braiding involved. The micro rings grip a small section of hair securely, but the surrounding hair is not under sustained tension as it would be in a cornrow.
The sew-in involves cornrowing, which does create tension — particularly around the perimeter, where the braids that frame the installation tend to be the tightest. Over time, repeated tension in the same areas can contribute to traction stress on the hairline and edges. This is not inevitable — a good sew-in installation uses appropriate tension throughout — but it is a risk that does not exist with the LA weave in the same way.
For clients with a history of traction-related hairline thinning, or those whose edges are already fragile, the LA weave is generally the more conservative choice.
Scalp access and washing
The LA weave wins clearly here. With natural hair unbraided and the scalp accessible between rows, washing is straightforward — water and shampoo reach the scalp easily, and drying is simpler too. Clients who exercise frequently or who need to wash their scalp regularly for health reasons almost always prefer the LA weave for this reason.
With a sew-in, washing requires more technique. A bottle applicator or targeted nozzle helps reach the scalp between rows, but the braid base does limit how thoroughly the scalp can be cleaned compared to loose natural hair. Thorough drying is also more time-consuming, and moisture trapped under the braid base for extended periods can cause scalp issues if not managed carefully.
Profile and finish
The sew-in generally achieves a fuller, denser-looking finish at the root area because the cornrow base provides a completely smooth, flat foundation for the weft to sit on. For clients who want maximum volume or a very seamless root blend, the sew-in often performs better in this regard.
The LA weave achieves a very flat, natural-looking profile at the root without the bulk of a braid base. For clients who want a lighter feel and a natural movement from root to tip, the LA weave profile is often preferred.
Installation time and complexity
Both methods require an experienced stylist. An LA weave installation typically takes 1 to 2.5 hours. A sew-in takes longer — 3 to 4 hours — because the cornrowing stage adds significant time before the weft work begins.
Neither method should be rushed. A poorly sectioned LA weave with inconsistent ring placement creates uneven volume and stress points on the natural hair. A poorly braided sew-in base creates tension problems that affect both comfort and natural hair health throughout the entire wear period.
Cost over time
Initial installation costs for both methods are comparable. Over time, the cost difference depends primarily on whether the hair is being reused at each maintenance appointment.
At Keré Hair Co. UK, we use raw hair wefted bundles for both methods. Because raw hair is fully intact and unprocessed, the weft can be removed, cleaned, and reused across multiple installations. This means your initial hair purchase can cover an entire year or more of wear rather than being a recurring cost at every appointment — a significant saving over 12 months.
What About Your Natural Hair Type?
Hair type is one of the most practical factors in choosing between the two methods. Here's how different natural hair profiles align with each option:
| Natural Hair Type | Recommended Method | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Fine, low-density hair | LA weave | No braiding tension; rings are gentle on fine strands; no cornrow base required |
| Medium density hair | Either — consult with your stylist | Both methods are viable; choice comes down to lifestyle and preference |
| Thick, high-density hair | Either — sew-in often preferred | Thick hair creates a stable, flat braid base that supports a clean sew-in installation |
| Natural Afro texture (4a–4c) | Sew-in often preferred; LA weave viable | Natural texture cornrows down well for a secure sew-in base; LA weave is effective for finer 4-type hair where braiding creates tension |
| Fragile edges or hairline thinning | LA weave | No perimeter braiding means no tension at the hairline |
| Previously damaged or chemically treated hair | LA weave | Compromised hair handles braiding tension less well; rings are the gentler option |
What About Your Lifestyle?
Your day-to-day routine has a direct bearing on which method will work better for you long-term. Here's a practical comparison:
| Lifestyle Factor | Better Suited Method |
|---|---|
| Frequent exercise or gym-goer | LA weave — easier scalp access for washing |
| Swimmer | LA weave — scalp dries more thoroughly |
| Prefers low daily maintenance | Sew-in — braid base stays put without adjustment |
| Wants to wash hair frequently (2+ times per week) | LA weave — scalp accessible and dries faster |
| Protective styling focus — growing natural hair | Sew-in — natural hair fully braided and protected |
| Client with sensitive or reactive scalp | LA weave — better airflow, less coverage |
| Wants maximum volume and density | Sew-in — braid base supports a denser weft layout |
What Happens at a Keré Hair Co. UK Consultation
We don't recommend an extension method before we've assessed your natural hair in person. The tables and guidance above are a starting point, not a prescription — because two clients with broadly similar hair types can have meaningfully different scalp health, growth patterns, and lifestyle demands that affect which method is genuinely right for them.
At our Nottingham studio, every new extension client begins with a consultation. During that appointment, we assess:
- Your natural hair density, texture, and condition
- The health of your scalp and hairline
- Your previous extension history — what methods you've had, how they wore, and any issues that arose
- Your lifestyle, washing routine, and maintenance capacity
- Your styling goals — the length, volume, and finish you're working toward
From there, we recommend the method that genuinely suits your hair and lifestyle — not the method that's easiest to fill an appointment slot with. If neither method is appropriate for your current hair condition, we'll tell you that too, along with what we'd suggest doing first to get your natural hair to a point where extensions are a good fit.
The Hair Matters Too
The extension method is only half of the equation. The quality of the weft used in either installation has a direct impact on how the extensions look, feel, and last — and on the health of your natural hair during the wear period.
At Keré Hair Co. UK, all our weft-based installations use raw human hair wefted bundles. Raw hair wefts behave like your own natural hair — they respond to washing, conditioning, and styling realistically, they don't shed excessively, and they maintain their quality across multiple installations.
Our weft range includes:
- Vietnamese raw hair in loose wave — soft, natural movement, excellent for blending
- Vietnamese raw hair in deep wave — fuller curl pattern, rich volume
- Vietnamese raw hair in kinky curl — defined curl pattern, excellent for natural texture blending
- Vietnamese raw hair in soft kinky curl — a softer, looser kinky pattern for versatile styling
If you want to understand more about why raw hair makes a difference in a weft-based installation, our Raw Hair Explained guide covers it in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which method is better for my edges?
The LA weave is the more conservative choice for clients concerned about edge health. There is no perimeter braiding involved, which removes the primary source of tension on the hairline. If your edges are already thin or fragile, we will almost always recommend the LA weave over a sew-in and discuss a targeted edge care routine alongside the installation.
Can I switch between methods at each appointment?
Yes. Some clients alternate between methods depending on the season, their schedule, or the style they want. There's no technical reason you have to commit to one method permanently. Your consultation before each installation is the right time to discuss which option suits your current hair condition and upcoming lifestyle demands.
How long does each method last between appointments?
Both methods require maintenance every 6 to 8 weeks as your natural hair grows. Leaving either installation in significantly beyond 8 weeks without professional attention increases the risk of tangling, matting at the roots, and stress on your natural hair. We recommend booking your maintenance appointment at the same time as your installation so it's already in the diary.
Will extensions damage my natural hair?
A professionally installed extension — using the right method for your hair type, with appropriate tension, and maintained on schedule — should not cause damage to your natural hair. The risk of damage comes from the wrong method for the hair type, excessive tension during installation, extensions left in too long, or poor aftercare of the natural hair during the wear period. Our Complete Extension Care Guide covers how to protect your natural hair throughout the process.
Do you offer both methods at your Nottingham studio?
Yes. We offer both LA weave and traditional sew-in installations at our Nottingham studio, alongside K-tip extensions for clients whose hair is better suited to a strand-by-strand method. Every installation begins with a consultation.
Can I use my own hair for the installation?
If you have previously purchased raw or virgin hair wefts that are in good condition, yes — bring them to your consultation and we'll assess whether they're suitable for use in your installation. We cannot guarantee results from hair sourced elsewhere, but we are happy to advise.
The Summary
Both the LA weave and the traditional sew-in are excellent extension methods in the right hands, on the right client, with the right hair. The difference between a brilliant result and a disappointing one is almost never the method itself — it's whether the method was the right fit for that specific person's hair, health, and lifestyle.
If you're leaning toward the LA weave, it's a strong choice for fine hair, active lifestyles, scalp-sensitive clients, and anyone who prioritises easy scalp access. If you're leaning toward the sew-in, it works well for thicker hair, clients focused on protective styling, and those who want maximum volume and coverage.
If you're genuinely unsure, book a consultation. That conversation — in person, with your hair in front of us — will always give you a more accurate answer than any guide can.
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