Sew in hair extensions in South Africa: bundles, cost and care
Sew in hair extensions are wefts of hair stitched onto cornrows that your stylist braids flat against your head. The hair is sold as bundles, and in our 6 Oct 2026 price check a 16 inch bundle started at R329. A full head usually takes more than one bundle, so count how many you need before you compare prices.
The kinds of bundle for a sew-in, at a glance
Ways to wear a sew-in, and what salons list
Wearers who want to use their own hair at the front
Cornrows underneath, wefts stitched on top.
R700+
Covering all of your own hair
Same base, with a lace piece on top.
R1,210+
Closure wearers who want to avoid glue
Sewn and not glued, per the listing name.
R600
A straightforward weave on cornrows
Cornrows underneath, wefts stitched on top.
R850
Bundles, grams and lengths
- 2 to 3 bundlesMayvenn, a US retailer, recommends 2 bundles up to 14 inch and 3 bundles from 16 inch, with a closure or frontal. Ask your own stylist, because SA stylists may differ.
- About 100 gOne bundle. Virgin Human Hair lists its water wave bundle at 100 g per bundle, machine double weft, in 8 to 28 inch. Mayvenn says 100 g is the standard.
- 2 to 4 inchesMayvenn says curly and kinky curly textures shrink, so order 2 to 4 inches longer instead of adding bundles.
- 4 to 6 weeksHow often UNice says a sew-in needs maintenance. It says a sew-in lasts 6 to 8 weeks, and up to 12 with proper maintenance.
What to check before you buy
- Look for the weight. 100 g a bundle is the figure Virgin Human Hair and Mayvenn give. Tell your stylist how many bundles you have.
- Ask whether the salon price includes hair, a closure, a wash or removal. Listings use names such as Sew in Weave & Wash and Sew-in + Closure Install.
- Ask for flat cornrows that are not tight. The American Academy of Dermatology says to make sure cornrows are not tight.
- Book the next maintenance visit before you leave. UNice says every 4 to 6 weeks.
- Check the lengths against the bundle count. Mayvenn says to add 2 to 4 inches for curly textures, not more bundles.
- Ask what undoing the sew-in costs. One Johannesburg listing shows Undo Sew-in Weave at R130.
16 inch bundle prices across SA stores
Checked 6 Oct 2026Cheapest first. No store pays to be listed or ranked here.
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Sew in hair extensions, explained
What a sew-in is
Sew in hair extensions start with your own hair braided into cornrows. UNice describes the next step simply: the extensions are securely stitched to those braids. Easihair Pro lists the sewn method as sewing or beading wefts onto a base of braided or beaded rows, and says it gives a strong hold and long-lasting results that suit textured hair.
There is no glue or tape in a sew-in, and your own hair stays braided underneath. That is why the quality of the cornrows matters so much. If they are too tight, the whole style pulls on your scalp for weeks.
How many bundles you need
Hair for a sew-in is sold as bundles, which are wefts of hair sold by weight. Virgin Human Hair, a South African seller, lists its water wave bundle at 100 g per bundle, in machine double weft, in lengths from 8 to 28 inch. Mayvenn, a US retailer, says 100 g is standard and recommends 2 bundles for installs up to 14 inch and 3 bundles from 16 inch, paired with a closure or frontal. A closure or frontal covers your leave-out area, so it does not add to the bundle count.
At the table prices, 3 bundles at 16 inch would cost between R987 and R2,400, before any closure. That is our arithmetic from the cheapest and dearest rows, not a quote. Ask your own stylist how many bundles your head needs, since Mayvenn's figures come from a US retailer.
What the hair costs
On 6 Oct 2026, a single 16 inch bundle started at R329 on Takealot, for a Joedir Brazilian body wave bundle. Straight bundles started at R405 at Virgin Human Hair, and Hair City's Brazilian 10A kinky curl bundle was R549. Vietnamese double drawn bone straight hair from Silky Hair was R600, and the dearest bundles in the table were Shara Hair's at R770 and Silky Hair's ombre at R800.
The table shows one bundle each, 16 inch, from up to 2 products per store. Check that the listing says human hair, and ask the seller how the weft is made. Hair City describes its 10A bundle as double wefted for fullness.
What a salon lists for the sew
Fresha listings that we read on 6 Oct 2026 show the sewing alone at R350 to R1,210 or more in Johannesburg, depending on the salon and the style. A Sew in is listed at R650 for 1 hour 30 minutes, a Sew-in with Leave Out at R700 or more for 2 to 4 hours, and a Sew-in + Closure Install at R1,210 or more for 3 hours. A Traditional Sew-In is listed at R850 and a Sew-in with Glue-less Closure at R600.
In Pretoria, a GC Salon listing shows a new weft installation from R1,150 for 2 hours 45 minutes. In Cape Town, one Tokai listing shows an installation at R450, with a time range of 45 minutes to 3 hours. These listings do not always say whether the hair is included, so ask. They are labour prices as listed, not recommendations.
Curly and afro sew-ins
Easihair Pro says the sewn method suits textured hair. For curly hair, Mayvenn says curly and kinky curly textures shrink, so order 2 to 4 inches longer than the length you want to wear. It says the bundle count stays the same for every texture.
In the table, Hair City lists a Brazilian 10A kinky curl bundle, and several stores list water wave and deep wave. Because curls shrink, ask your seller what length the bundle measures when it is stretched.
How long a sew-in lasts
UNice says a sew-in lasts 6 to 8 weeks, and some people stretch it to 12 weeks with proper maintenance. It recommends visits every 4 to 6 weeks to tighten loose threads and fix tangling, and says that leaving a sew-in too long can cause matting or harm your natural hair. Flirt Hair, a Pretoria studio, lists weft maintenance every 4 to 12 weeks.
The American Academy of Dermatology says to wear weaves and extensions for two or three months at most, then give your hair a break. For washing, UNice suggests a sulfate-free shampoo every 1 to 2 weeks, a lightweight leave-in conditioner or hair oil on the braids, and a heat protectant if you use heat.
Protecting your hair and scalp
The American Academy of Dermatology says to opt for sewn-in weaves rather than weaves that use bonding glue, to make sure cornrows are not tight, and to remove extensions immediately if they cause pain or irritate your scalp. Pain or a headache means the style is too tight, and it says to ask your stylist to loosen the area.
A South African study of 574 schoolgirls and 604 women found that the highest risk of traction alopecia, compared with natural hair, came when traction was added to relaxed hair. The odds ratio was 3.47. Only 18.9 percent of those with traction alopecia had never had symptoms related to hairdressing. If your hair is relaxed, say so before you book.
Sew-in extensions: questions
How much does a sew in cost in South Africa?
Two costs apply: the hair and the stylist. On 6 Oct 2026, 16 inch bundles in our check started at R329. Fresha listings show the sewing at R350 to R1,210 or more in Johannesburg, depending on style. Ask whether a salon's price includes hair, a closure or a wash.
How many bundles do I need for a sew in?
Mayvenn, a US retailer, recommends 2 bundles up to 14 inch and 3 bundles from 16 inch, with a closure or frontal, at about 100 g a bundle. Your own stylist knows your head size and style, so ask them for a count before you buy.
How long does a sew in last?
UNice says a sew-in lasts 6 to 8 weeks and can reach 12 weeks with proper maintenance, with visits every 4 to 6 weeks. The American Academy of Dermatology says to wear weaves for two or three months at most, then rest your hair.
Can I wash my hair with a sew in?
Yes. UNice suggests sulfate-free shampoo every 1 to 2 weeks, a lightweight leave-in conditioner or hair oil applied to the braids, and a heat protectant before heat styling. Avoid heavy products that can clog the scalp. Ask your stylist how to wash the braids underneath.
Is a sew in better than glue or tape extensions?
The American Academy of Dermatology says to opt for sewn-in weaves rather than ones that use bonding glue. That advice names glue, not tape. A sew-in still pulls on your scalp through the cornrows, so the Academy also says to make sure the cornrows are not tight.
Do sew ins damage your hair?
They can if they are too tight or left in too long. UNice says leaving a sew-in too long can cause matting or harm to your natural hair. The Academy warns that constant pulling can damage follicles and cause permanent hair loss. Tell your stylist at once if it hurts.
Does a sew in work on curly or afro hair?
Easihair Pro says the sewn method suits textured hair. If your bundles are curly, Mayvenn says to order 2 to 4 inches longer than the length you want, because curls shrink. Ask your stylist how they braid the base for your hair type.
Where can I find a sew in near me?
Fresha lists weave and sew-in services in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria, each with a price. We have not verified individual stylists yet, so check a salon's own photos and reviews. Our stylist directory opens city by city as we verify stylists.