July 11, 2021

A complete guide on how to remove and re-install tape in hair extensions

Tape-in hair extensions are the best if you want to add volume and length to your natural hair. They are easy to install and are lightweight. They blend flawlessly with natural hair and can be worn for days. These hair extensions require minimum maintenance. They need to be removed and reinstalled every few weeks. Here is a complete guide on when to remove and refit your tape-in hair extensions.

When do you need to visit a salon to remove and reapply your tap-ins?

Tape-in hair extensions are easy to remove and refit. You can get the job done at home or salon. Within three-six weeks of installation, the wefts need to be taken off and refitted. Most people think that they can get this job done only at a salon, but with our guidance, you can learn to remove the wefts and reapply them at home.

Since we are staying at home more nowadays, it is better to remove and attach them yourself. If you feel overwhelmed about the task, we are here to help you.

It takes a few hours to complete the chore. We have explained the steps in detail to help you to take off the wefts and reapply them with confidence.

Steps for removing tape in hair extensions  by yourself

add tape remover on the hair weft

Do you know why tape-in extensions are so popular with women? Because they are the easiest to apply and maintain. They can be removed also without damaging your natural hair. Relax, you can do this at home. All you need is a little patience and a hair extension tape remover. Here are the steps you need to follow.

  • Step 1.

    Stand in front of a mirror and move aside your natural hair to one side of the head. You must be able to see what you are doing. You can clip your hair so that they don’t come in between when you apply the tape remover.

    Start from that side of the head which is visible in the mirror. Begin slowly so that you are sure of what you are doing. This will also give you confidence and help you to peel off the wefts from the back of the head without seeing them.

  • Step 2.

    With your hair parted and the tape-ins showing out, you are all set to apply the tape remover now. Do you know what the tape remover does? These are oil-based products that dissolve the glue that attach the tapes to your natural hair. They come in different forms and can be either sprayed, poured, or dripped. Choose the one that you find convenient. As the glue gets diluted, you can peel off the tapes easily.

    So, spray the remover in generous amounts on the tapes where they are fixed. Let the tapes get saturated with the remover for easy removal.

    If you find it tough to take out the tapes or if your hair remains sticky, try a different extension remover.

  • Step 3.

    After applying the remover, tug at the hair extensions to see if they have got loose. A little wriggling and twisting of the wefts fixed closest to the tape would let you know whether they are free enough to come out.

    Please don’t tug too hard as it would damage your hair and the extensions also. Be gentle and give some time to the remover to settle in and work on the adhesive.

  • Step 4.

    If you find the wefts still stuck to the tapes, apply more remover and wait for a minute or two. Allow the remover to work on the adhesive and soften it. If you gently waggle the hair wefts now, you will find that they are loosening and coming off.

  • Step 5

    As the glue dissolves and releases the tapes, you can easily peel them off using your fingernails. Never apply force on the tapes. Gently pull them away from your hair. You will find them coming out along with the wefts. Be patient with the tapes to protect your hair from any damage.

  • Step 6

    Starting from the left, keep on removing the tapes till you reach the right side. Work through each row, from top to bottom, following the same process. Remember to work on one weft at a time. Trying to pull apart multiple wefts would harm your hair. The wefts may get spoiled and become unfit for reuse.

  • Step 7

    After removing the wefts, check them to ensure no trace of old tapes remains. This is necessary for perfect retaping so that the reinstallation stays for the maximum time.

Tips for re-installing tape in hair extensions

stylist is installing tape in hair extensions

Here are a few tips to make your job easier.

Choose a clear oil-based remover to peel off the tapes. Apply the product in a good amount to gently bring out the tapes without any hassle.

Apply the remover on a single tape or a row and pull apart the wefts mildly without harming the wefts and the hair.

One tip for saving your time for re-installing

Are you afraid that taking out and reapplying the wefts would take a lot of time? Here is a simple but effective tip to save your time and effort. Take a Styrofoam head and use it to place the old hair wefts at the same location from where you took them out.

When you reinstall and re-blend the hair extensions, you don’t have to spend time guessing where to fix them.

  1. Wash your hair and the wefts.

    There is another thing that you have to take care of. Both your natural hair and the hair extensions should be clean before re-fixation.

    You have to shampoo your hair thoroughly as it would be sticky due to the tape residue and remover too. Wash your hair with a good shampoo. You can use a clarifying shampoo too. If your hair still feels sticky, clean it again with a mix of baking soda and shampoo. Use this mixture in areas where the extensions were placed. Baking soda is a good and safe agent to get rid of the remover and the sticky adhesive.

    If you are using this mixture, you have to shampoo your hair for the third time to wash off the baking soda.

    To make hair manageable, use a conditioner from mid-shaft till the end. Avoid using conditioner on the roots, and do not apply any other product to the hair.

    Now it is time to wash the hair extensions. Prepare a solution of clarifying shampoo and baking soda. Take out one weft at a time from the Styrofoam, apply the mixture, rinse well, and put it back.

    If you are in a hurry, use a dryer to dry the wefts or place the Styrofoam head under a hooded dryer.

  2. Replace Tapes

    The final step is pending now which is to put replacement tapes on the wefts and fix them on your hair. Peel the replacement tapes from the card by holding them at the edge. Firmly place them on the wefts and make sure that they are secured properly.

    So, you are done with the removal and reinstallation of the tape-in hair extensions. We hope you can confidently perform the job and enhance the look and life of your extensions now.