There comes a time in every woman’s life when she, well, wants to take her tape-in hair extensions out. Maybe you want a new color, longer length, or you just need a break. Either way, I totally get it, girl.
Knowing how to take your tape-in extensions out the right way is imperative, though. Otherwise, you could end up damaging your natural mane. And I think we can all agree that would be a very, very bad thing.
The good news is, I’m here to help. I have a few different methods of removing tape-ins that are safe and effective.
Contents
1. Oil
Oil is a great way to loosen up those tape-ins and get them out of your mane. There are plenty of oils you can use, and you likely have them lying around your kitchen cabinet. Oils such as coconut, olive, and palm can easily be used. You can also opt for an oil-based remover.
To use oil to remove your tape-in hair extensions, apply your preferred oil or oil-based remover product to the tape. Leave the oil on for an hour and see if the tape has loosened. Suppose it hasn’t, consider applying more oil and using a blow dryer to quicken the process.
During the entire removal process, you will want to continue applying oil. This will ensure no undesirable tugging or damage to your natural hair strands: the more oil that is used, the better. (Not to mention oil is so great for your hair health in general! Win-win!)
2. Conditioner
Conditioners are also viable options when it comes to removing tape-in hair extensions. However, the process is notably more time-consuming than with oils. To help speed up the process, plenty of women massage the conditioner into the tape.
3. Alcohol-Based Removers
Alcohol is one of the best ways to loosen up tape-in hair extensions. You can opt to use a professionally crafted alcohol-based remover, such as the X-10 Pro Tools Tape-In Remover or rubbing alcohol from under the sink.
The process is essentially the same. You will apply the alcohol to the root and let the alcohol seep into the tape to loosen them. However, a professional product may be easier to work with as it is designed with a spray bottle.
4. Peanut Butter
Don’t look at me crazy, girl. I don’t make the rules; I just accept them! When you’re in a pinch and don’t have any oil, conditioner, or alcohol lying around (and yes, I’ve been there), then you can always use peanut butter. Just save the jelly for your morning toast, okay?
To use peanut butter, apply it around your mane where the tape-ins are located. Leave the PB on your locks for around 30 minutes to an hour. From there, head off to the shower and try to wiggle out your tape-ins and get a good hair wash going.
This works because peanut butter has natural oils in it. So, it kind of works exactly like other types of oils. What’s the benefit of using PB? Maybe nothing more than it’s easy, and you have it lying around. However, if you’re a PB lover, you might like the scent.
5. Nail Polish
Is there anything nail polish can’t do? It seems like every time I hear the word ‘nail polish, there’s a new fascinating thing it can do. Well, add removing tape-in hair extensions to the list of accomplishments.
Nail polish can be used to remove tape-ins. Just make sure that it is acetone-free. If so, you can place a few drops of nail polish remover on the sides of the adhesive. You may need to reapply a few times during the process to make sure the tape-ins come off smoothly.
6. See Your Stylist
If you’re nervous about things going haywire during the removal process, don’t hesitate to contact a professional. It’s their job to work with hair. That said, they’re going to know how to apply and remove tape-ins, hon.
The benefit of going the hairstylist route is pretty simple: your hair is going to come out the best, and there is literally zero fear of mishaps during the removal process.
As a bonus, it’s the perfect time to tack on a fresh haircut and a wash with deep conditioner, too. Yes, please!
Final Thoughts
Removing tape-ins is a breeze and utilizes items you likely have in your home. While the oil, alcohol, and conditioner routes are the top picks, you can still use other handy things like peanut butter or nail polish.
If all else fails, contact your beloved stylist. She will know exactly how to handle your sticky problems. (See what I did there? Sticky? Tape-ins?)
Whichever option you decide, just make sure to take great care of your hair afterward. A good wash and deep conditioning treatment will keep your natural mane in tip-top condition!
