How Tape-In Extensions Work: The pros, cons, and ideal hair types

Hair is an important part of one’s appearance. Anyone who is losing their hair and starts losing their confidence with each strand that falls. It affects both men and women, but women are scrutinised more for their loss of hair density.

For women, hair is an extension of their beauty. Long, lush, and healthy hair is often seen as a sign of vitality and youth. However, women often lose hair due to a variety of reasons, including ageing, health issues, pregnancy, air and water pollution, and others.

It can be an incredibly lonely and challenging experience. But what if you are not alone? What if there are plenty of other women going through the same experience? And the women you see around, on billboards and social media, also go through the same. However, rather than beating themselves up, they opt for hair extensions, such as tape-in or clip-on extensions, to achieve those fuller-looking locks.

With the help of temporary or semi-permanent hair extensions, you too can unlock the same look. You don’t have to compare yourself against those women, but rather become one of them with some easy-to-tape-in hair extensions. But before discussing more about the tape-in hair extension, let's look at why hair extensions are so popular these days.

Why Are Hair Extensions Becoming So Popular?

Recently, hair extensions have become increasingly popular. The previous popular perception was that all extensions were basically wigs. However, it is now shifting and changing.

Nowadays, people view hair extensions as a hair accessory or a fashion statement. It can be used to cover thinning or loss of hair, add length, or increase volume. Temporary to semi-permanent hair extensions are becoming increasingly popular.

You can find many variants of temporary to semi-permanent extensions in the market, from clip-in to keratin-bonded to tape-in hair extensions. To unlock those mermaid locks, not only do influencers and celebrities wear them, but everyday women are also incorporating them into their hairstyles.

Many women frequently wear certain types of hair extensions, like simple tape-in hair extensions. This easy tape-in hair extension is the set that will be recommended to you if you have visited a salon in search of hair extensions.

However, you should determine whether an extension is appropriate for you before adding it. If you are considering tape-in hair extensions and want to know if they’re a good fit for your hair, let us help you. 

What Are Tape-in Hair Extensions & How Do They Work?

Hair extensions, such as tape-in hair extensions, are extremely popular for adding some length and volume to the hair. But people don’t really know what tape-in hair extensions are or how they work. Allow us to explain.

The semi-permanent hair extension, such as the easy tape-in hair extension, earns its name because it uses a tape-in mechanism to attach to the hair. If you look at a set of tape-in hair extensions, you will find tape at the base of the extension. This tape is used to adhere the extension to the natural hair. Once the easy tape-in hair extension is attached to the hair, it can remain in its position for 6-7 weeks.

Now that you have understood what a tape-in hair extension is, you must be thinking, 'Tape and hair extension – how does that work?' And is that even secure? Allow us to answer that. The mechanism of tape-in hair extensions is easy and self-explanatory, but allow us to explain it to you. The extension has a tape at the base, with a strong adhesive applied. And a paper covers the adhesive tape. To adhere the tape-in extensions to the hair, you need to remove the paper and secure them to the natural hair. Once secured, they can remain in their position without needing readjustment for six to seven weeks. Several hair stylists in the UAE specialise in tape-in hair extensions. Depending on the hairstylist, they can follow a certain method to secure the tape to your hair.

The hairstylist, who is an expert in attaching tape-in hair extensions, follows simple steps to adhere the extension to the hair. They part the hair in sections and then piece out micro sections. Ensure each section is not wider than the width of the tape-in extension, and there are no crosshairs. Then, leaving a few centimetres, the stylist will adhere the tape-in extensions to the hair, which allows the hair to move and minimises the scope of tugging. The stylist can follow the sandwich method to secure the hair extension.

Now, you must be thinking, 'Is the tape-in hair extension truly better?' What are its pros and cons? Let’s look at some of its pros and cons and understand if it is for you.

What Are The Pros and Cons Of Tape-In Hair Extensions?

These days, there are so many options for hair extensions. If you are planning on adding some easy hair extensions to your hair, you will be given so many options. But how do you know which one is better? To help you choose easily, let’s break down some pros and cons of the famous tape-in hair extensions. Perhaps, through this discussion, you will be able to decide if this easy tape-in hair extension is for you or not. Without further ado, let’s jump into the pros and cons of tape-in hair extensions.

Pros

Comfortable: One of the biggest complaints with hair extensions is that they are not really comfortable. If it is not secured correctly or secured too tightly, it can pull the hair and cause severe headaches. This problem can be avoided with the tape-in extension. It doesn’t pull your hair, as it is secured by leaving some gaps. This makes it more comfortable for long-term wear.

Natural and Blendable: Compared to other hair extensions, you will find that the easy tape-in hair extension offers a more natural and blendable result. This is why many women in the UAE choose to go with the tape-in hair extensions.

Versatile: Unlike other types of semi-permanent hair extensions, the tape-in hair extensions are easy and versatile to style. You can style your hair in a low ponytail, a bun, or any other style. The possibilities are really endless.

Takes Less Time To Add: Unlike some hair extensions that are complicated to secure and require you to stay on your hairstylist’s chair for hours, the tape-in hair extensions are different. The tape-in hair extensions are easy to adhere to the hair, taking much less time to secure them.

Good for Many Hair Types: Tape-in hair extensions are well-suited for plenty of hair types — straight, wavy, or curly. This extension gives a natural volume to the hair without making it feel heavy or causing damage.

Cons

High Maintenance: Compared to other hair extensions, the tape-in hair extensions can be a bit on the high-maintenance side. When your hair grows out, the hair extension needs to be readjusted by the stylist to make the extension look seamless with your natural hair.

Tape Is Visible In Certain Hairstyles: The tape of extensions is sometimes readily visible in certain hairstyles, like the high ponytails. This makes this type of hair extension less appropriate for some styles. Even if the tape is the same colour as the natural hair, it can still peek through.

Not the Best Option for Very Fine Hair: Although they work well for fine hair, they are still not the greatest option for super fine hair. This is because they can be seen through super-fine hair or cause stress to the fragile hair type.

Can Be Expensive: Although the tape-in extensions are reusable, the initial investment can be substantial, and ongoing salon upkeep increases the total cost. Thus, you need to be comfortable with the high cost.

Longer Drying Time: Once you have the easy tape-in hair extension in your hair, your hair drying time post hair wash can be significantly longer. It doesn’t matter if you choose to go with the air-dry or blow-dry method. It will take longer than usual for your hair to dry, especially the inner sections where tape is secured.

What Type Of Hair Is Perfect For Tape-In Extensions?

Almost all textures of hair, straight, wavy or curly, are perfect for the tape-in hair extensions. However, some types are not the most suitable for these hair extensions, but other extension types can be well-suited for such hair. One of the most well-known is super-fine hair. This is because the tape will add stress to the hair and cause some damage to it in the process. Even hair that is too brittle or damaged from chemical treatments is not a great choice for this type of hair extension. For this reason, you should visit a hairstylist in the UAE to know if your hair can handle the seemingly easy tape-in hair extensions.

Now that you know a bit more about the easy tape-in extensions, you can make a better decision. Depending on your understanding of the pros and cons, you can decide if you want to go with the tape-in extension or choose some other type of hair extension. As per your choice, you should try to find a hairstylist in the UAE who specialises in tape-in hair extensions. However, if you have super fine hair, you should consult with a hairstylist to know if your hair can handle the extension without causing additional stress. Nonetheless, tape-in hair extensions are a great choice for semi-permanent extensions, which help to add more fullness and volume to the hair.