Top 5 Benefits and Drawbacks of Crochet Hair: What You Need to Know

When it comes to haircare, finding the right protective style is essential for maintaining healthy, beautiful hair. Protective hairstyles are not only great for safeguarding your natural hair but also help you keep your look cute and fresh. However, like any hairstyle, there are pros and cons to each method. While the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks, it’s important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the style you choose. After all, no one hairstyle is perfect for every hair type, so it’s crucial to find the one that aligns with your haircare goals.

One of the most popular protective styles in the world of haircare is crochet, often referred to as latch hook braiding. This method is commonly used to add length or protect your natural hair while giving you a stunning new look. The crochet method involves cornrowing your natural hair and then applying extensions to the cornrows. Unlike traditional weaves, crochet hair is not sewn in but instead looped under the cornrows with a crochet needle (essentially a hook) and secured with a knot. This technique provides a seamless, natural look that mimics your real hair.

Why Crochet Hair is a Game-Changer in Haircare

Over the years, crochet hairstyles have evolved with more natural-looking textures. Today, crochet hair is an excellent option for naturalistas who want to try styles like havana twists, braid-outs, flexi rod sets, and more—all while keeping their look undetectable as extensions. The crochet method has grown increasingly popular as it allows for versatility and realistic styling without the harsh manipulation that can lead to breakage or hair damage.

For those seeking to enhance their haircare routine, crochet hair offers a variety of options that can match your unique texture and length goals. Whether you’re looking to experiment with different styles or simply protect your natural hair, crochet hairstyles are an excellent choice.

Thinking About Trying Crochet Hair?

Here Are 5 Key Pros and Cons to Know!

Budget-Friendly Beauty: Crochet Hair Won't Break the Bank!

Crochet hair is kinder to your pockets than some protective styles, so if you are looking for cost efficiency, they’re a great option. The hair can be found at most beauty supplies stores and on average is less than $10 a pack. If someone else is installing them for you that will inflate the price of the overall style, but you can always install them yourself. A quick YouTube search yields a plethora of tutorials on how to install, how to freshen them up, and how to style them. All which can help you avoid the salon and their prices.

Endless Styles: Crochet Hair Lets You Switch It Up Anytime!

When it comes to styling them crochet braids offer endless possibilities. One day your hair can be in a wavy hairstyle, the next day a bob, the next day in locs, and the next day a fro. You can also play around with the curl patterns choose between textured or fine hair depending on your hair and preferences. Since your natural hair is concealed, thus giving you can incorporate a range of colors in your different looks.

Instant Glam: Crochet Hair is Fast and Fun to Install!

For Black women, crochet hair is extremely convenient in comparison to other protective styles. Getting braids sewn in as opposed to each individual strand being braided makes a very big difference when trying to cut down on time. It is also easier to switch from one style to the next with the crochet method. One can have their hair curly tresses one day and then in a couple of hours have a fresh set of braids, twists, or locs.

Shrinkage? Not Here! Crochet Hair Stays Flawlessly Defined All Day!

One aspect of hair that many black women deal with is shrinkage. When your hair is freshly moisturized and still saturated, curls tend to remain loose and defined. Throughout the day your hair starts to dry and “shrink up.” With crochet hair, this is no longer a problem. The curly hair will stay defined all throughout the day and shrinkage is no longer a problem.

Grow, Baby, Grow! Crochet Hair Helps You Keep Those Length Goals On Track!

With crochet hair, you can try out different styles without putting a lot of tension on your hair. It also allows you to protect your ends and keep heat off your hair for a little while. Since your hair is braided underneath the extensions and pretty much untouched, your hair has an opportunity to really grow.

Now that we have acknowledged the benefits of the crochet method, let’s take a look at the disadvantages.

May Cause Scalp Tension.

It is vital to the health of your hair that you are cognizant of the tension you are putting on your hair. Crochet hair is an added weight to your hair strands because it has been pulled through parts of your braided her. If too much hair creates too much weight, your hair and scalp will be under a lot of tension and can become irritated.

Prone to Tangles.

Although it can help you achieve many protective styles, including the crochet style, synthetic hair is not always easy to manage. Because of its texture, synthetic hair tangles very easily and can affect the overall look of your hair if not maintained properly. It is important be careful with synthetic hair and remove it once it becomes too much so it does not tangle your hair too.

May Cause Stunting of Hair.

Even though your hair is braided underneath the crochet, it is still there and has to be taken care of. If you don’t keep your scalp and hair moisturized and clean, it will become dry and healthy and potentially lead to breakage.

The “Perfect Curl” is Not so Easy to Achieve

Just like your natural hair, it can be difficult to achieve a certain curl with crochet hair. You will definitely have to manipulate the hair with flexirods, hot water, and other methods to get your desired look. This is just something to keep in mind if you are looking for a style with as little maintenance as possible.

Challenging to Style in Updos

While your hair is braided back in cornrows, there is always the possibility that the cornrows might show in certain styles. Unless your braid is fully covered in extensions, which is not recommended because it would cause a lot of weight on that cornrow, the braid could be visible. Although there are many videos and techniques to achieve a great style, crotchet hair is still one of those styles that is very hard to put in an updo.

Ready to Rock a Crochet Look?

Take Your Haircare Routine to the Next Level with Crochet Hairstyles

If you’re considering a new protective style, crochet hair is worth exploring. By understanding its benefits and knowing how to properly care for it, you can achieve your haircare goals while keeping your natural hair safe and healthy. Ready to give crochet hair a try? Explore the variety of textures and styles available to find the perfect crochet look that suits your unique haircare needs.

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Check out our feature in Forbes, where we share how 4th Avenue is reinventing retail for the Black community. Read more here: Forbes Article