How to Protect Your "Leave Out" With Hair Extensions & Wigs

Let's talk leave-out!

Leave out is the hair left out to cover the tracks of a sew-in to blend with your extensions. Typically it is a small section of hair left out in the middle front; but it depends on where you are
wearing your part. Some may leave out the perimeter of their hair or the majority if trying to achieve a vixen sew-in.

Leave out gives your hair a flat and natural installation. However, keeping hair blended,laid, and healthy can be difficult. Today we're going to go over some tips for managing your leave out.

Here are some tips on how you can manage your leave out for a sew-in.

A great way to protect your leave-out is to minimize the amount of hair left out of your install. If possible, ask your stylist to place your braids closer together for a fuller install and a smaller part. The less hair you leave out meanse less maintenance for your sew-in and your hair in the long run.

Side parts are gorgeous and a classic that we love! Side parts are dramatic and fun; we love a deep side part and laid edges. However, the thicker the part, the more hair that needs to be left out. "Buss down Middle parts as the girls like to say, are definitely becoming the new classic and are a little more manageable than side parts because you don't have to leave as much hair out for a natural look.

So whether you rock a side or middle part, leave out minimal hair and use hot tools with caution.

While leave-out is versatile and gives your sew-in a natural look, it requires a lot of maintenance and attention to your natural hair to reduce damage and ensure a blended look. Luckily, leave out is not the only option for having a natural-looking install. The easiest way to protect your hair from over-manipulation, breakage, and heat damage is easy- put it all away! Braid it all down and get your Private Label Extensions closures, wigs, and frontals.

Closures are great for so many reasons! First, they allow you to put all your hair away; this is a great option to protect leave-out because all of your natural hair is braided.

Closures can be lace or silk. Silk closures have an added layer of silk, giving the illusion of a realistic scalp. However, be mindful that silk closures may be harder to lay flat due to the double layers.

Lace closures reign supreme in the hair world. Lace closures are versatile, realistic and lay extremely flat. They may require some degree of customization with bleaching of knots and plucking. Both closures can be curly, straight and have different widths and lengths. Closures can be one-part, three-part or free-part for added versatility. The most common width used is 5x5, this closure is large enough for versatility but small and comfortable.

You can purchase closures from Private Label Extensions. We have wide range in texture, length, and affordable prices from $36 to $80.

Check out our article to learn "Everything You Need To Know About Closures".

Frontals offer more versatility than closures. They cover the entire front of your head, making leave out a problem of the past. You can have edges for days, ponytails, middle parts, and side parts if you use a frontal, all while protecting your hair.

360 Frontals offer even more versatility for the back of one's head (edges and the "kitchen"). They can be glued, sewn, or taped as a means of installation. Frontals are also available on the Private Label Extensions website starting at $80 and up to $120 for 360 Frontals.

Frontals require more customization than closures, but they are worth it. While a great alternative, be sure to get your frontal professionally installed and removed, or you can end up with bigger problems than damaged leave out!

Wigs are another protective style. Like closures and frontals, they offer coverage for all of one's hair. Some wigs come with frontals or closures, and some require you to slide them on with an
adjustable band. Wigs are a great option because they typically require less maintenance than
closure and frontal sew-ins, and you can take them on and off as much or as little as you choose. Simply braid all of your hair and throw on your wig.

The full coverage of a wig, along with the easy access to your hair, are why wigs are a great protective style. While wigs are way easier, in the long run, they sometimes require one-time customization. Customization can be done by a professional, or if you are a DIY girl, you can search for some tutorials on YouTube.

Protective styles are a great way to foster growth and allow hair time to repair from damage. It may be hard, but wearing protective styles is healthier for your hair, and you'll be amazed at the growth.

If you love your leave-out and are not quite ready to rock closures, frontals, or wigs, there are other alternatives. Here are some different styles you can wear to protect your hair and prevent you from having leave out.

If you love your leave out, and you're not ready to make the jump to closures, frontals or wigs, there are some alternatives. Here are some other styles you can wear to protect your hair and prevent you from having leave out.

Work your leave out into your style using twists or braids. Starting at your part, twist your hair back and safely secure with bobby pins. If braiding, this style still applies, braiding both sides of your leave out back and away from your face. Another braided style would be to place a braid straight across, giving goddess vibes.

Twisting or braiding your hair will reduce the need to apply heat to your hair, and it gives a fun twist to your original look.

Ladies, I know we all love our hair bone straight and silky. But try something new; curly hair textures are easier to maintain with leave out. Merely part leave-out in smaller sections and wet with water or mousse. Then braid hair in the morning, take out, and finger the curls.

You could also use rods to give leave-out the desired curl, do this once or twice a week, depending on the needs of your hair.

While you're trying out a new style, try out a new part! Repeatedly parting your hair in the same place puts strain on your hair. Instead, try switching your part so that your hair has a break from the styling demands of maintaining leave out. This will put less stress on your hair.

Don't be afraid to get creative with your styles. Your hair is an extension of you, so open Instagram for some inspiration and go to town.

When it comes to protecting your leave out you can't forget to use the right products. You want to take care of your leave out and treat it to keep your hair from getting damaged. Using the right products is major key. Here are some products you should be using to help protect your leave out.

As with any protective style, when taken out, you should be sure to shampoo and condition your hair. Hair treatments are especially true with leave-out.

If your leave out needs a good co-wash, but you are not ready to take out your install, wash your leave out by itself. Use a small amount of deep conditioner or shampoo and work through your
leave out. You can even rinse or spritz with a water bottle.

Opt for sulfate-free conditioners, which are good for your natural hair and extensions. Make sure you remember to blow dry your hair! Having wet hair under your install can lead to itching, shrinkage, and mold. Just use your dryer on low or cool to minimize damage.

Invest in a good heat protectant to shield hair from harmful styling like blow-drying and flat-ironing. Choose a heat protectant that is lightweight, and emphasizes health, protection, and shine for the best results. One of my favorite heat protects Chi 22 Iron Guard Thermal Protection available at Walmart and Target for $10.25.

Spray hair at a distance, and comb or brush through. Do not press your hair too long, or it will burn.

How you deal with your hair is important when dealing with leave out. Unfortunately, common hair practices may exhaust your hair. Here are some hair practices that you should be mindful of.

Try not to flat iron your hair every day. As mentioned, it is best to get on a schedule for when you will touch up your leave out. It is best to limit your touch-ups to once or twice a week instead of flat ironing hair every day, which leads to heat damage and breakage.

Besides heat protectants, try not to add too many oils or gels to your hair. Adding too much product is unhealthy for your hair and scalp. It will also weigh down your hair, making it greasy and less flowy, if that makes sense. Heat protectants add shine and protection; if you follow a good hair regimen, your hair will bounce and flow. Stick to adding one or two products max to maintain your leave out.

A tip to maintaining a flat and flawless leave-out style with straight extensions would be to flat iron your hair as little as possible. If you straighten your leave-out at the beginning of the week, tie it up every night so you are not forced to continually flat-iron your hair throughout the week.

Be sure to lay hair as flat as possible and cover it with your scarf; this should keep your leave out and flyaways in place. Use a silk scarf to help your extensions stay shiny and soft.

For curly hair, braid/twist as directed and tie up as well. Securing your hair at night will keep hair from frizzing. A scarf and bonnet are the best duo for wrapping curly hair at night. Tying your hair up at night preserves both your leave out and extensions. In addition, protecting hair at night with scarves keeps hair from getting messy and shedding.

Add a cute scarf or turban to protect your leave out. Whether your hair is up, down, curly, or straight, a scarf is just what you need to give your leave-out a break. Instead of fighting with your natural hair in humidity and cold weather, tuck it safely under a cute scarf. Or if you're pressed for time, pop on a cute hat. Not only will it cover your leave-out, but it will also add spice to your outfit. Think of it as a two-for-one!

Brush that leave-out back, and slide on a headband for good measure. It is a quick way to solve any leave-out issues when you are crammed for time. Additionally, it will serve as a hold-over
style instead of flat-ironing hair.

Choosing alternatives over flat-ironing your leave-out helps your hair in the long run. Using accessories, good hair practices, closures, frontals, and wigs, allow your hair versatility, time to recover, and require less styling and maintenance.

Change your install, clip your ends, wash your closure...

As with any protective style, it is essential to take care of your hair underneath, or in this case, the hair that's left out. Be sure to take out your installs every 4-6 weeks, trim your ends, and shampoo and condition hair.

Even if you do not have leave out, the health of your hair is essential. Be sure to wash and condition not only your natural hair but the closures and frontals as well removing glue, hair oil, gel and dirt that can accumulate from styling hair and have it in an installation.

Do you have any leave out tips? If so let us know what you do to keep your extensions and your leave out popping by leaving a comment.