A Step-By-Step Guide On How To Remove Tape-In Hair Extensions At Home

Super-long hair is officially back in style, and for many people with the goal of having mermaid-length locks, opting for extensions is a more realistic strategy than trying to grow your own. For those with hair that's too fine or thin, too damaged, or too thick and curly, growing long hair is often more stress than it's worth. Luckily, there are several varieties of hair extensions available to suit every girl with dreams of becoming Rapunzel, and tape-in extensions are among the most popular.

Relatively easy to install, long-lasting, and available to people with all kinds of hair textures (and lifestyles — you can even work out with tape-in extensions!), these extensions are a great choice. One of the most alluring factors is that you don't need a professional to remove them when the time comes, and doing it at home is simple and cost-effective. As long as you know what you're doing, you can easily take out your tape-in extensions — either to install new ones or go extension-free altogether — in a few easy steps with minimal damage or discomfort.

Along with tape-in extensions, there are also clip-in, bonded, and halo extensions available. All hair extensions are designed to make your hair look longer or thicker (or both), but there are significant differences in the way that each variation adheres to your natural hair.

While tape-in extensions use a double-sided adhesive, or tape, clip-in hair extensions provide effortless length and volume by clipping into your hair via a metal clip. They are easier to apply than other kinds of extensions and can be installed at home, but they aren't intended for long-term use and should be removed before you sleep or wash your hair. Meanwhile, bonded extensions adhere to the hair via keratin, which is infused onto each extension strand and then bonded to the natural hair. These are more challenging to remove at home than tape-in extensions and usually require a pair of pliers to crush the bonds. Finally, halo extensions attach to the head via an undetectable wire that sits on the scalp like a headband. Removing them is just a matter of slipping the wire off, but these extensions are temporary, less secure, and less natural-looking than more permanent varieties. Tape-in extensions offer the best of both worlds: longevity and subtlety in addition to ease of removal. 

The most important product that you'll need to remove tape-in extensions at home is solvent to break down the adhesive. A highly rated example is the Tape-In Remover from The Hair Shop, which retails at $14 at the time of writing. You can purchase specially made tape-in adhesive remover or solvent, or else you can use a product that's at least 70% isopropyl alcohol, such as hand sanitizer. "Well, they [can] use hand sanitizer [to remove the tape-ins]," stylist and global creative director for Milbon Anh Co Tran told Allure. "It's like gold these days. Or rubbing alcohol." You may instead want to use an oil-based solvent for tape-in extensions that are particularly difficult to remove, or else layer your solvent with a hair oil of your choice to help break it down. Coconut oil or almond oil are good choices. You will also need a comb, clips to section off the hair and expose the extensions, and shampoo and conditioner.

Depending on what solvent product you're using, you may apply it by spraying it on or by rubbing it on. Make sure to apply it directly to the adhesive tape part of the extension. Be generous with the amount you're using to completely break down the adhesive. If you try to remove the extension before properly breaking down the adhesive, you'll end up tugging your hair and possibly causing damage (and discomfort!). After applying the solvent, allow it to seep into the adhesive for a few minutes before moving on to the next step.

Once you've used enough solvent to break down the adhesive, start to slide the tape-in extension down your hair shaft. Even if you're confident that the adhesive is no longer sticky, don't pull or tug with force. Slowly wiggle the extensions and move them from side to side until they slide out on their own.

After the hair extensions have been removed and the knots have been gently combed out, you might notice there's still a lingering sticky residue in your hair. This is normal, so the next step is to wash and condition your hair. While the shampoo will help to remove any remaining oil, adhesive, or solvent, the conditioner will return a dose of hydration to your locks — don't skip this step! You might be tempted to leave combing your hair until you wash it, but wet hair is more fragile than dry hair, so you'll want to eliminate most of the knots while your hair is still dry to avoid the possibility of damage. And as, certain shampoos can dry out the hair and lead to even more tangles, it's good to nip the knot problem in the bud before you wet your hair. Use your fingers to detangle it again after you've washed and conditioned it, and you'll be left with clean and smooth extension-free hair.