One thing about us is that we love to change up our hair. Whether we want to risk it all and chop it, dye it, bleach it, tone it, or really anything else, we rest easy knowing that we can always fall back on tape-in extensions if things go awry.
Tape-ins are a great introduction to extensions and are relatively stress-free. All you really need to do is go in to the salon to get them moved up!
Considering getting tape-in extensions for yourself? Then there are just a few more things you need to know.
Continue below for our complete guide to caring for tape-in hair extensions, along with expert insight from pro hairstylist and hair extension specialist, Melissa Holinsworth.
All About Tape-In Extensions
There are all sorts of different hair extensions on the market, but tape-ins are the best option for those looking for something a bit more long-term than clip-ins that can be taken in and out every day.
If you opt to get tape-ins, you’re going to need to get them moved up every 5-8 weeks and replace the hair itself every six months.
“Tape-in extensions are a medical-grade adhesive attached to a small strip of hair,” Holinsworth tells us. “The natural hair is then sandwiched between two tape-ins. The medical-grade adhesive is strong enough to hold on to the natural hair for weeks even with regular hair washing.”
Types of Tape-In Extensions to Consider
Not sure what type of tape-ins to get? While genuine hair is more pricey, it’s absolutely worth it when it comes to tape-ins. Holinsworth agrees, telling us to stay away from synthetic hair because “it will tangle and you run the risk of it melting into your hair if you use hot tools.”
There are three main types of tape-in extensions that stylists typically offer, including standard, front-injected, and wefts.
Standard
Standard tape-in hair extensions are perhaps the most popular method. Holinsworth tells us, “Standard tape-ins are made by laying the hair out flat and applying a generous amount of flexible polyurethane to create a thick strip that the medical adhesive can be applied to.”
Front-Injected
Front-injected tape-ins are another option to consider, and Holinsworth describes them as “the most natural looking because hair is actually injected into the polyurethane strip so when placed into the hair it looks like the hair is growing out of it.”
Wefts
Wefts aren’t as popular as the other two styles, but Holinsworth says she’s been seeing them gain popularity in the industry as of late.
“They are essentially 10-11” strips of tape-ins that are applied around the head like a weft is,” she says. “They are extremely quick and easy to install and can give a lot of length and fullness.”
How Do You Know If You Should Get Tape-In Extensions?
Now that you know all about what tape-ins actually are, you might be left wondering if you’re a candidate for them! There are a few things you’ll want to consider.
Do you like wearing your hair in a slick back? Then it might not be a fit. Hate using a blow dryer and prefer air-drying? Again, tape-ins might not be for you!
However, if you’re willing to look past these rules, the pros far outweigh the cons. Tape-in extensions can give you extra length, fullness, and volume, and are not too hard to care for.
Holinsworth tells us they’re “generally easy to take care of, feel fairly weightless, and are easy to sleep on.”
She goes on to say, “They are great for any hair type that is seeking length or even just fullness. Tapes can even be used to fill in spots that need fullness such as the front hairline. Tapes are also a great option for those with short dense hair because they do a great job breaking up the shorter lengths and can look more natural than other extension options like wefts may.”
How to Decide What Length of Tape-In Extensions to Get
Deciding on a length for tape-in extensions is going to vary from person to person. It’s completely up to you!
If you want extensions strictly for fullness, we suggest getting extensions that are just a tad bit longer than your natural hair. If you want length, though, feel free to go as long as you want!
Holinsworth shares a few tips with us when it comes to choosing a length, stating, “Your height can be a major factor in picking length. 16” on someone that is 6 feet won’t look very long versus someone that is 5 feet tall. So think about where you want the extensions to hit on your body and measure the length.”
She goes on to say, “If the natural hair is short (above the shoulders) it’s going to be extremely difficult to blend into a 22” length. Think about a traditional haircut, it’s not very common to see layers that go from above the shoulders to down your lower back. So going too long may be too difficult to blend out and look very unnatural.”
How to Decide What Color of Tape-In Extensions to Get
Color matching should be left up to your stylist if they’re the one purchasing the hair. “Typically your stylist will have a swatch ring that they can use to match your hair color so you can ensure the color matches perfectly,” says Holinsworth.
If you plan on buying it yourself, though, try to find a location in person, as trying to color-match with online photos can be pretty difficult.
And if the hair is pretty close to your color but not perfect, Holinsworth says, “Your stylist can dye the extensions to further match the hair. There are some limitations with coloring extensions so I recommend trying to get the closest match possible and then toning if necessary.”
How to Care for Tape-In Extensions
Brushing
Brushing tape-ins is going to look a bit different than brushing your natural hair. First things first—brush it every day! This is vital and will give your hair even more longevity.
As far as brushing technique goes, Holinsworth tells us, “Do not brush at the new growth in the extensions. If the extensions are applied properly, the hair will grow out straight and will not tangle. Brush up the site of attachment and be sure to brush the natural hair surrounding the extensions.
“Also, brush gently because you can inadvertently rip out your natural hair. Especially as the tapes begin to grow out, I recommend holding the tapes down to the head and brushing the ends working your way up.”
Product Don’ts
Holinsworth warns against using heavy moisturizers, alcohol-based products, and anything with lots of oil (at least on the attachment site!).
She says that by doing so, “These types of products can work their way into the adhesive and prematurely break it down causing the tapes to slide out of the hair.” Another product she says is a no-no is detanglers because “they often contain ingredients that give the hair slip and are often a fast track to tapes sliding out.”
Product Dos
On the other hand, there are certain products that you should be using to ensure your tape-ins last! When applying products, try to avoid the attachment site—for example—when putting in hair oil, stick to the ends.
Holinsworth says to always use heat/thermal protectant, reminding us that “extensions are real human hair so they too can get dry, damaged, and develop split ends, so it’s extremely important to take care of them.”
Washing
When it comes to washing, your routine might look a little bit different with tape-ins. Instead of vigorously scrubbing at your scalp area, you’re going to need to be more gentle, ensuring you don’t accidentally rip out the extensions.
Holinsworth tells us to “use a scissoring motion with your fingers to work in between the extensions and get the scalp clean.” You should also consider switching to a sulfate free shampoo. “This will help to preserve the color of the extensions and also be a bit more gentle on the adhesive,” says Holinsworth.
“If necessary, split the hair into halves when shampooing to ensure that you’re fully getting the hair clean.” Once you’ve gone through your washing routine, double and triple check that all of the product has been rinsed out.
Drying
Next up—drying. We know how easy it can be to just let your hair air dry, but with tape-ins, we highly suggest avoiding that. Of course it will happen from time to time, but do this very sparingly. Why?
Holinsworth shares, Air-drying is not recommended for any extension due to a lack of airflow at the attachment site which can lead to mildew. It’s also not recommended to leave tape-ins wet for a prolonged period of time because it can prematurely break down the adhesive and can also make the adhesive gooey. The goo can seep out of the edges of the tapes and attract debris and surrounding hair leading to a tangly mess.”
Styling
You can style your hair as usual with tape-in extensions! While you might be limited with a few styles like slick-backs or French braids, once you get the hang of your new hair, it will be easy to style and become second-nature.
And if you’re using a hot tool, Holinsworth warns, “Be sure to not use too much heat at the attachment point because that can heat the adhesive up, leading it to become gooey.”
Sleeping
Tape-ins really aren’t too uncomfortable to sleep in—especially once you get used to them! The best thing you can do for your hair while sleeping is use a “pillowcase or silk nightcap to help prevent tangling and tugging,” Holinsworth advises.
“I also recommend putting the hair in a loose braid to keep the extensions from tangling or moving around while you sleep.”