Tape extensions work by being ‘sandwiched’ outside of a thin section of your natural hair with medical-grade adhesive glue strips at the top, then secured using professional pliers. This process is then repeated to meet your hair needs and goals - some clients may want a full head of extensions, whereas others may just want sparser areas filled.

The extensions are removed using an alcohol-based remover between the two sandwiched tapes, which are then slowly pulled away from your natural hair once the glue has lost its stickiness. In some cases, your stylist may require a solvent-based remover for additional support. Your natural hair will then be washed to ensure no product or residue is left behind.

Your tape extensions can then be refitted every 6 to 8 weeks (depending on your aftercare routine, general maintenance, hair growth and lifestyle), by attaching replacement tape tabs to the tops of the extensions.

By following your stylist’s aftercare advice, your tape extension fitting should last anywhere between 6 to 8 weeks before needing a refit. However, this will also depend on your lifestyle, hair growth rate and general maintenance.

If you continue to follow your aftercare advice and treat the extensions like they are your own hair (remember - they’re made of human hair), your tapes could last you up to a year!

However, the lifespan of your tape extensions really does depend on how the extension hair is cared for. There are many different lifestyle and styling factors that can reduce how long your tapes last, so it’s always important to discuss everything with your stylist during your initial consultation and if anything in your life changes once you have your tapes fitted.

Tape extensions are extremely versatile - making them the perfect extension method for almost all hair types!

If you have particularly thin or damaged hair, tape extensions are the safest method to add length and volume to your natural hair without compromising its integrity. Tapes can also be used to fill in sparse areas around your head, commonly known as ‘fillers’.

If you consider yourself to have thick hair, tape extensions can be used to add additional length without going overboard on volume. They are also very easy to disguise in thick hair. Tapes can feel heavy though, so we recommend having your hair thinned before installation, if you believe this could be an issue.

However, if you have a natural wave or curl pattern, you may struggle using tape extensions. Unfortunately, there isn’t currently a market for pre-waved or curled tapes, meaning that you would need to style your extensions or natural hair almost daily in order for the tapes to blend.

Aftercare refers to how you look after or care for your tape extensions; post installation or refit. Aftercare includes what to do, what to avoid and which products are going to care for your tapes best.

Every salon will have its own recommended products and aftercare advice, which they have learnt through the tape extension training they have completed and their experience as a tapes specialist.

As a tape extension client, we always suggest reaching out to your stylist for any advice. Not only will they be a tape extension specialist, but they will know the brand they use inside and out - advice for one brand may be completely different for another!

Here are our top ‘Dos and Don’ts’ for looking after your tape extensions:

Best aftercare advice:

• Ensure to attend your refit appointments every 6-8 weeks
• Always make sure you use sulphate and silicone-free hair care products
• Gently brush your hair from the bottom upwards, holding the top of your hair when you do
• When using hot tools, always use low heat settings and heat protectant
• When swimming, always wear a swim cap
  

Things to avoid:

• Avoid using sunbeds or being exposed to extreme heat for long periods of time, as this can damage and dry out your hair
• Do not wrap, rub or fall asleep with wet hair, as this can cause tangles and breakage
• Never apply alcohol-based hair products anywhere near the root, as this will deactivate the adhesive
• Don’t wear your hair in a messy bun, as this can tangle the extensions
• Avoid exercising or sleeping with your hair down, as this can cause knots and hair breakage

Most salons are affiliated with different brands or have brand preferences for the products they use in their practice. So whilst we may suggest specific brands below, the biggest takeaway from it is about the ingredients. Your tape extensions, including its adhesive, need to be treated a certain way and the ingredients in your products can make all the difference.

Here’s a our must-have products:

• Sulphate and Silicone-Free Shampoo. We recommend Kevin Murphy Everlasting Colour Wash, RRP £28.
• Sulphate and Silicone-Free Conditioner. We recommend Kevin Murphy Everlasting Colour Rise, RRP £29.
• Heat Protection. We recommend Kevin Murphy Heated Defense, RRP £30.
• Moroccan Oil Hair Mask. We recommend Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, RRP £26. (Remember to only use products that include oils on the ends of the hair, as oils can disrupt the adhesive if applied near the root)

If you cannot avoid swimming, we recommend having your salon treating your hair with Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Remedy

It is not uncommon for tape extensions to become loose - it might mean your tapes need to be refitted. Tape extensions should be refitted every 6-8 weeks.

However, there are avoidable reasons why your tapes have become loose.

Firstly, it could be that the adhesive in your extensions have begun to lose stickiness, due to your hair products. Products that contain sulphates, silicones and oils can have this effect on the tape tabs.

Another reason could be that your stylist has sandwiched the tapes around a too thick slice of hair. If so, the adhesive cannot grip onto it all and would cause the extensions to slip.

Finally, it could be that the adhesive in your tapes has expired - they have a use-by date of 3-6 months, after which, you cannot be assured of the quality. North stocks ‘Walker Tape’ and have strict measures in place to ensure tapes and replacement tabs are sold in-date.

There may be other reasons why your tapes have become loose, but if you have any concerns, reach out to your stylist and ask them to assess.

Tape extension colour fading can always be a completely natural process, which just happens over time. Tapes are made of human hair, so they will behave in the same way your natural hair does. However, if it happens seemingly out of nowhere, you should consider that there can be some factors that will speed up colour fading or ultimately cause it to happen. Check out this list from our ‘Common Tape Extension Problems’ blog:

• Hard water
• Chlorine
• Saltwater
• Suncream
• UV rays
• Dyes in hair products
• Harsh shampoos
• Washing hair in hot water
• Styling damage from hot tools

If you are concerned about your tape extension’s colour fading, talk to your stylist and ask them to assess both your hair and your lifestyle - just as they did in your initial consultation

In summer, some tape clients notice that their hair is changing colour - mainly blondes turning pink. Dyes in hair products may seem like the easiest answer, but the most common explanation is a reaction between chemical-based suncream and UV rays.

These chemicals in suncream are added to absorb UV rays. When UV rays are absorbed on tape extension hair, it causes a chemical reaction which makes the cells in the human hair break down and change its colour.

This reaction can be completely avoidable. When you have tape extensions, you should always avoid suncreams and other products that contain artificial chemicals, in favour of mineral-based products instead.

If you are concerned that this reaction has happened, book in with your stylist to see if they can rectify the problem.

There is nothing worse than your installation looking obvious; especially when tapes are known as virtually invisible! One easy reason could be that you’re overdue for a refit - moving your tapes closer towards your scalp.

However, there could be other reasons that cause your tape extensions to look obvious.

If your hair is particularly thin or damaged, your extensions may peek through. Talk to your stylist about changing your tapes’ placement, although you may need to wait until your natural hair has grown.

A further reason could be that your colour-match doesn’t match - either by fading, changing your natural hair or the initial colour wasn’t right. Discuss this with your stylist, who may have ways to blend the hair you already have, before buying new.

Lastly, it could be that your stylist misplaced the extensions around your head. If so, your stylist should be happy to rectify the problem for free. Always ensure to visit a trained, experienced professional for any extension fitting.
Obvious installations can always be really easily sorted, just talk to your stylists and ask for help!

There is nothing worse than your installation looking obvious; especially when tapes are known as virtually invisible! One easy reason could be that you’re overdue for a refit - moving your tapes closer towards your scalp.

However, there could be other reasons that cause your tape extensions to look obvious.

If your hair is particularly thin or damaged, your extensions may peek through. Talk to your stylist about changing your tapes’ placement, although you may need to wait until your natural hair has grown.

A further reason could be that your colour-match doesn’t match - either by fading, changing your natural hair or the initial colour wasn’t right. Discuss this with your stylist, who may have ways to blend the hair you already have, before buying new.

Lastly, it could be that your stylist misplaced the extensions around your head. If so, your stylist should be happy to rectify the problem for free. Always ensure to visit a trained, experienced professional for any extension fitting.
Obvious installations can always be really easily sorted, just talk to your stylists and ask for help!