Best Oil To Remove Tape-in Hair Extensions… Plus 8 More


While you may love your tape-in hair extensions, there will come a time when you will have to choose a method to safely remove them and that’s exactly what you’re going to learn in this article!

If you don’t have an adhesive remover designed specifically for tape-in extensions or can’t get to a salon professional, the good news is that oils are a safe and natural alternative that won’t damage your hair—AND you can do it from the comfort of your own home!

With that being said, this article will cover:

  • My favorite oil for removing tape-in extensions.
  • 8 other oils you can use to remove your tape-in hair extensions.
  • How to safely remove tape-in hair extensions.
  • How to re-use tape-in hair extensions.

Now that you know the basics to be covered, let’s jump right in to my favorite oil for removing tape-in extensions.

The Best Oil For Removing Tape-in Extensions

While there are a variety of oils and methods you can use to remove tape-in extensions, my personal favorite is coconut oil—and here’s why!

According to scientific testing, Coconut oil has been ranked as the number one best oil method for removing extensions. This is due to the fact that the lipids in the oil have been shown to deeply saturate and penetrate the hair cuticle. Here are some other reasons:

  • Coconut oil effectively breaks the tape bonds which helps you to easily detach the tape wefts from your hair without causing damage. Compared to using an adhesive remover, the oil may take a little longer — you are looking at about an hour in total, which isn’t too bad!
  • Coconut oil can be used on your hair before you apply hair extensions, while you have them in and after you have removed them. It helps restore damaged hair by deeply moisturizing at the roots and helping repair knotting and matted as well as dehydrated hair.
  • Coconut oil seeps into the hair shaft instead of just sitting on the surface of the hair. It reconditions hair from the inside out, as it contains vitamin E and Lauric acid. These ingredients are also ideal for fixing split ends as they are high in protein. Another added benefit is that your hair will have a gorgeous shine to it after you use coconut oil!
  • Another great fact about coconut oil is that it stimulates hair growth by seeping deep into the hair follicles. It is also great for combating hair loss of any nature. If you keep using coconut oil every time you remove your tape-in extensions, you may find yourself not needing them anymore!

“It is strongly advisable to warm the oil before applying, massage it into the scalp, leave it overnight and wash in the morning with shampoo.”

Nature’s Perfect Ingredients – Lucy Bee.

You can use any coconut oil that is found in the shops, however, if you are looking for really amazing, coconut-oil-based products, you can check out Well & Goods website for the very best oils you can buy!

WARNING: Coconut oil is very heavy so you will have to wash your hair very well after the application. Shampoo your hair twice just to be 100% certain you have removed any all build-up of dirt and oil.

8 Additional Oils to Remove Tape-in Hair Extensions

While coconut oil has been proven to be the most effective when it comes to removing your tape-in extensions, there are other options available. All the oils listed below have been shown to be effective in removing extensions, as well as some added benefits they provide for your hair health.

Here are 8 alternative oils to use for removing tape-in extensions:

  1. Avocado oil. This oil is also really great for removing extensions as it has great versatility. This means that it is lighter than most other oils, so it will not cause build-up in your hair, weigh it down or clog your pores. This also makes avocado oil a great option for individuals with medium/low porosity and medium/low-density hair, while still being a great option for high porosity or high-density hair. Avocado oil is also extremely rich in oleic acid and monounsaturated fats, making it one of few oils (other than coconut oil) that can actually penetrate the hair shaft and moisturize your hair, rather than sitting on top and coating it. These fats also strengthen the hair shaft and help prevent breakage.
  2. Olive oil. Similar to avocado oil, olive oil has some truly amazing benefits when applied to your hair. It deeply moisturizes hair, as well as gives it flexibility and shine. It also strengthens your hair and prevents split ends.
  3. Almond oil. Almond oil contains a variety of healthy ingredients for your locks such as Omega-3 fatty acids, phospholipids, vitamin E, and magnesium. Using almond oil nourishes and strengthens your hair, and is perfect for treating hair loss and damaged hair. You only need a few drops to feel the effect of the oil.
  4. Baby oil. This oil has also been shown to break down tape bonds effectively by deeply moisturizing the hair and thus breaking down the bonds. Baby oil is also great for protecting and smoothing your hair from breakage and damage.
  5. Palm Oil. Palm oil is actually packed with protein as well as various other ingredients such as lauric acid, vitamin E, Phystosterels, carotenoids, oleic acids and plasmatic acid to name but a few. These have incredible anti-oxidizing and moisturizing properties for your hair and your skin. Other than for removing extensions, you can use it on your skin too and as a treatment for your natural hair.
  6. Sunflower oil. This oil acts as a natural moisturizer because it’s infused with several vitamins and minerals, including high levels of Vitamin E that produces healthy hair growth. Its deep moisturizing properties make it ideal for the removal of tape-in hair extensions.
  7. Ucuuba Butter. Other than being great for removing extensions, this is known to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, meaning it will do wonders for your scalp, especially if you suffer from a dry or itchy scalp. It is rich in essential fatty acids, meaning it is great for adding moisture to dry, irritated skin.
  8. Babassu Oil. This oil is great for low-porosity hair and can be used as an emollient. It deeply moisturizes and is perfect for bringing elasticity to hair. It has a complex range of vitamins, fatty acids, and phytosterols, meaning that it can regenerate hair and help regulate scalp processes. That means no more skin irritation and no more dandruff!

Safely Remove Tape-in Extensions with Oil: 5 Simple Steps

Now that you have all the resources you need to remove your tape-in extensions, it’s time to tackle the important part, and that’s how to safely remove your extensions using oil—from home!

Here’s a super informative video demonstrating how to remove your tape-in extensions using coconut oil:

Step 01. Pour coconut oil in a bowl and drench the tape bonds with the oil remover of your choice using a basting brush. Step 02. Paste the oil onto the bonds, and allow the oil to slide in-between the bonds and sit for at least 1 minute. Step 03. Slowly start peeling back the tape-in extension by massaging the bond gently until it pulls apart. Massage in a downwards motion until the hair slides out. If you notice any stuck, don’t panic. Simply add more oil and allow it to seep until they eventually loosen and tug gently. Step 04. Use the tail of a tail comb to slide in between the wefts and loosen them. The oil will release the two bonds and they should slip right out. Step 05. Repeat the process for each weft until the oil has seeped between the bonds and they slide out.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To properly remove the extensions, you should NOT have to pull on them. The minute you have to tug, you are damaging your hair. If you find yourself tugging, simply add more oil and allow it to seep until it inevitably loosens.

“If you have any leftover residue you can always follow up with our Hair Detox. This is a coconut oil based product and it is incredibly nourishing for your own hair and scalp! It does double duty removing any residue and nourishing your own hair. “

Glam Seamless Hair Extensions.

Re-using Tape-in Extensions

The best thing about tape-in hair extensions is that they are completely reusable, provided that you take good care of them— in fact, tape-in hair extensions are reusable for up to one year or 3-4 applications.

Once you have removed your extensions, you will need to go out and purchase new tape refills for re-application. If you are not too sure where to get them, you can either go to your nearest salon or purchase them online.

While it is perfectly possible to re-use your extensions, it is really important that you do this properly, otherwise, you could end up with a serious mess on your hands and will need to purchase a brand new set of extensions (eek!)

If you are not sure or are nervous to do the re-application, it might be best to go to your nearest salon professional to get them re-applied. If you feel confident enough to apply them yourself at home, then keep reading for a simple guide on how to do this!

Preparing Hair for Re-using Tape-in Extensions: 10 Simple Steps

Now that you have let your natural hair recover for a bit, you’re most probably dying to re-apply your gorgeous tape-in extensions! Well, now it’s time that you take the plunge and start preparing for your re-application!

If you’re wondering when the right time is to remove your extensions, you can check to see how much they have grown out or if any of them have started slipping or “drooping.” Although it’s always better to nip this issue in the bud before it starts looking sloppy.

The general rule of thumb is tape-in extensions should be removed after about 6-8 weeks since installation—this does depend on how fast your hair grows, as well as whether there is a lot of product build-up due to not properly caring for your extensions. In this case, you may have to remove them a little bit sooner.

Here’s 10 simple steps for re-using your tape-in extensions:

  1. After you have removed the tapes from your hair, apply lots of oil to the tapes to get the excess glue off your tapes.
  2. Once they no longer feel so sticky, you will need to wash them well. You will need to wash them with sulfate and phosphate -free shampoo at least twice to get the oil out.
  3. Give them a really good condition so that they are left silky but do NOT apply this conditioner to the bond area.
  4. Once they are air-dried, check that the area where the bonds were are no longer sticky. If not, you know that they are ready for the next stage.
  5. Find the raised-edge side of the tape as this is the side where the tape goes.
  6. Using your re-application tape, unroll enough to cover the length of the piece, trying not to touch the sticky side of the tape if possible.
  7. Move any stray hairs out of the way.
  8. Position the tape over the piece and do not press down hard until you feel that the piece is placed perfectly.
  9. Once you have evenly placed it over the piece, you can now safely apply pressure over the tape.
  10. Cut the tape so there is no excess tape on the ends or top of the piece, as this can look really untidy.

Now you are ready to rock your gorgeous extensions once again!

Conclusion

While many salons will recommend that you use their own specialized adhesive remover, using natural oils is not only cheaper but also has some truly remarkable benefits for the health of your scalp and hair. Coconut oil one of the best options, although there are many others that also do a great job. If you remove your extensions using the tips above with care, you will be able to re-use for extensions up to 3-4 times hassle-free!

Jodie

Hey, I’m Jodie, the gal behind CraftyHairHacks. I have a deep passion for hair extensions, hairstyles, and almost anything that has to do with hair, which leads me to the writing and research I do for this website daily. Our site is still small, however, we’re pushing to get the best hair hacks out to as many as people as possible. ENJOY!

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