Everything You Need To Know Before Trying Tape-In Hair Extensions

Investing in hair extensions is an excellent way to make your hair look longer and more voluminous. Plus, there are so many different types of hair extensions available — even to the point where it could be hard to choose which one would be the best choice for you. Some various forms of extensions include clip-ins, microlink extensions, hair pieces, and tape-ins (via Luxy Hair).

So, what exactly are tape-in hair extensions, and how do they work? According to Elle, these extensions come in sections between one and one-and-a-half inches, and a hairdresser has to apply these extensions to your hair, as they feature a medical-grade glue, but no tools and chemicals are used during the process. Are you considering making an appointment to get tape-in extensions? If you're on the fence about going to the hair salon to try these extensions, there are some details you should know before making the final decision.

One of the first details to find out before investing in any hair-related treatment is how long it will last. Tape-in extensions usually last between eight and 10 weeks, so you should be able to rock them for around two months before you need to get them removed (via Elle). Plus, once you get these tape-in extensions, you should wash your hair like you typically would. You won't have to worry about them getting messed up or ruined. It's crucial to keep them clean!

While most people will enjoy wearing these extensions because you can still wash your hair with them, and they'll last a couple of months, you shouldn't get them if your scalp is dryer than average because your hair could end up breaking from dehydration, per Elle.

Furthermore, we know that no one looks forward to sitting in the hair salon chair for endless hours. But luckily, one benefit of getting tape-in extensions is that the application shouldn't take any longer than two hours (via Bustle). And regarding price, they usually cost between $200 and $500, in addition to the application fee, which most likely will be at least another $200.

Of course, anyone who spends hundreds of dollars on tape-in extensions wants to keep them in the best condition possible, so you should understand some of the suggestions for maintaining them before getting them. For instance, you should try not to use washes or conditioners that feature silicone. This ingredient can challenge the bond between your tresses and your extensions and make your locks greasier, per Walker Tape, a hair replacement tape company. Plus, you shouldn't wash or brush your locks too much because being aggressive about it could end up affecting your extensions. If you're used to washing your hair very frequently, try dry shampoo instead of a traditional wash.

Furthermore, you should try to only go to sleep with dry hair, but if your locks aren't fully dry, you should braid them before going to sleep so that your extensions stay in place and don't get messed up (via Zala Hair Extensions). You should also consider investing in a pillowcase made of silk because this material is better for your locks because it doesn't create as much friction. Therefore, even if you don't end up getting tape-in extensions, your hair will still benefit from a silky pillowcase!

We know how crucial curling wands and flat irons can be for making our locks look great, so we understand that many people will want to know if they can still use these products on their locks once they've committed to tape-in extensions. Luckily for anyone who consistently uses straighteners and curling irons on their tresses, you can still use them once you get the extensions, as long as you don't go any higher than 200 degrees Fahrenheit (via SDX. Hair Extensions). However, you must beware of the risks regarding hair dryers when you have extensions; it should be okay for natural extensions, but blow drying synthetics can make them melt, per Walker Tape. Even if you have the kind of tape-ins that won't get ruined from the heat, everyone should remember that using too much heat on your hair isn't great for anyone's locks, even if you don't have hair extensions.

For anyone who typically dyes their hair, you should still be able to color your tresses after you've committed to tape-in extensions if you really want to, but don't get dye near the tape because that could hurt the extensions' bond to your hair (via NuTress Hair Extensions). Plus, you can still wear your hair in cute ponytails or buns with tape-in extensions, as long as you don't pull your hair too hard or too tight when styling it, per Cliphair.

Although you should leave the installation process to a professional, you can still choose the tape-in extensions you like before your appointment. When deciding which tape-in extensions you want to purchase, you should consider the hair type, color, and length.

If you like the balayage look, you should consider buying the Cream Beige Balayage Remy Tape In extensions from Glam Seamless Hair Extensions. These light, luxurious extensions come in lengths of 20 or 22 inches and are available for around $190. Plus, they have between four and five out of five stars. Or, if you're a brunette, you can look into the Tape-In Pro Straight Color #6 Dark Chestnut Brown extensions, available at Donna Bella Hair for only $60. These 12-inch extensions have five out of five stars, and you can also opt for longer lengths, such as 16 or 22 inches, which sell for higher prices.

Furthermore, if you're going for the classic platinum blond bombshell look, check out the Iced Blonde (60S) Remy Tape In extensions from Glam Seamless Hair. These extensions have between four and five stars, and the 20-inch option is available for around $180. On the other hand, anyone looking for a bold, colorful style should consider the Purple Tape-in Hair Extensions — Human Hair from USA Hair. These extensions come in lengths from 14 inches to 28 inches, with starting prices at around $90. They also have between four and five stars with more than 1,000 reviews.

As wonderful as it would be for tape-in extensions to last forever, you'll need to get them removed eventually. For this process, your best bet is to go to the hair salon and let your hairstylist properly take them out to ensure that nothing will go wrong. However, if you feel you must remove your tape-ins at home because you can't make the trip to the salon, it's not impossible to take them out on your own. "Well, they [can] use hand sanitizer [to remove the tape-ins] ... Or rubbing alcohol," Anh Co Tran, a hairstylist and then global creative director for Milbon, tells Allure. "Start from the bottom [of the hair] and work your way up. Don't start from the top and run it through."

Of course, you should let your hairdresser handle the removal and re-applying processes. According to Aqua Hair Extensions, you can typically expect to pay between $60 and $75 per hour for the removal and re-application, depending on where you go, but you can have the peace of mind that you're in good hands and your hair won't become permanently damaged from home removal. 

So, are you ready to try tape-in hair extensions?