What are Tape Hair Extensions? Everything you need to know 

Tape extensions are one of the most popular hair extension methods on the market due to them being so quick and easy to apply, lightweight and virtually invisible as they lay flat to the head. The biggest advantage of tapes is that as they are the lightest and least damaging type of permanent extension meaning they are suitable for all hair types from very fine hair to thick. Here at Cliphair we have a huge variety of colours and lengths in Tape extensions including our brand new gorgeous Balayage shades! In today’s blog we are going to explain how tapes are applied, removed and re-used. We will also explain the advantages and disadvantages of this extension type including in depth information of how they should be maintained.
 
Already bought your tape ins? Then read our tape extension care guide to find out common mistakes when applying or removing and how to avoid them.

Tapes are applied to the hair using 2 of the wefts sandwiched together with your own hair in-between. It is advised that the slice of hair in-between the tapes is very slightly smaller in width so that stray hairs do not hang out of the tab. The hair in-between the tape should also be of the same thickness as the tape itself to ensure the hair is able to hold the weight of the extension.

Applying any permanent extension to a too small amount of hair can cause damage and hair pull, it is always advised to mimic the weight of the weft/strand that you are applying. The placement of the tapes will totally depend on the look you are trying to achieve and will be decided by your hair stylist, the brickwork pattern is usually preferred for a natural finish. 

All tape hair extensions should be removed and re-installed after 6-8 weeks of wear, sometimes sooner depending on your hairs growth cycle and overall condition of your extensions. 8 weeks is the maximum time the extensions should be left in without a re-position. After 6-8 weeks of having your extensions in, your own hair will have started to grow and the extensions move with it creating a larger gap between the tab and your scalp. Its at this stage that the hair could start to matt and tangle as there is more room for the hair to get stuck between your extensions, this is why it is important to have them removed by 8 weeks of wear to prevent any damage occurring to your own hair.

To keep your hair looking and feeling its best its strongly advised to have a maintenance check up a week after your application then every 4 weeks after this to check for any knotting/slippage.

There are many things you can do to keep your hair extensions well maintained and fresh for as long as possible, we have some great blogs specifically focusing on this subject right here. The main 3 points to stick to are firstly using the correct products is an absolute must! Steer clear of any products that contain alcohol, oil or sulphate, these ingredients will not only dry out your extensions but also weaken the adhesive attaching the tapes to your hair. Regularly separating any knots or matting that is starting to form, this can be done by using your fingers to check between each tape and row to make sure no hair is getting caught up with a neighbour extension and brushing your hair morning and night.

Lastly always use heat protection before styling your hair to prevent your hair from drying out or breaking, hair extensions have been removed from their natural source of hydration so are likely to dry out faster than our own hair. They need lots of added moisture and protection so don't skimp on the best quality hair extensions products.