How to Remove Hair Extensions at Home
With a few exceptions, it’s usually necessary to visit your hairdresser to remove your hair extensions. However, if you’re currently restricted from going to the hairdresser because of health regulations, that may be off the table. At the same time, you need to maintain your appearance and prevent damage to your natural hair. Since we’re living through unprecedented times, you may decide the only option is to take out your hair extensions yourself. This is possible if you follow the correct procedure.
How to Remove Tape-In Extensions at Home
Let’s start by looking at how to take out tape-in hair extensions at home since these are some of the easiest types of extensions to remove yourself. You should be taking them out at least every six weeks, as they grow out with your natural hair and end up too far down your hair if you leave them in for longer. For this reason, many people learn how to remove tape-in extensions themselves anyway.
Tape-in extensions are attached to your natural hair with double-sided tape. You need to use a product that makes the adhesive lose its sticky quality to take them out. The best option is a product designed to avoid damaging your extensions and natural hair. You’ll need to apply the product directly to the tape and rub it in until the tape becomes loose. The tape will then peel away from your hair.
When removing tape-in extensions, start with the lowest pieces and progress up your hair. Any time you encounter a tangle, stop and detangle. Apply more product to make your hair slippery — this will help you brush out the tangles more easily. Once you’re done, you may find there are some small bits of tape in your hair. Make sure you brush everything out to prevent your hair from becoming matted.
Removing Individual Bonded and Micro Link Extensions
Individual bonded and micro link extensions are two types of hair extensions that only professionals can install — and ideally, only a professional should remove them. This is because taking them out the wrong way risks damaging your natural hair.
If you need to take out these extensions yourself, it’s best to call your stylist to walk you through the process on video chat and ask someone you live with to help you. You’ll need to order a removal kit consisting of a removal tool and solution, which you may be able to buy from your stylist.
The process to remove the extensions involves separating your natural hair from around the bond, applying the solution, and then breaking up the bond with a tool that looks like a pair of pliers. Clamp the tool on the bond to break it, and then slide the pieces off your hair. Your hair needs to be dry when you do this since the bonds become harder when they’re wet, and your hair becomes more elastic, meaning there’s a higher chance of your hair-splitting when you pull off the pieces of the bond.
If you’re sheltering in place on your own, you’ll find it too difficult to remove these individual bonded and micro link extensions yourself — even following the guidance of a professional. Since you’ll not see what you’re doing, you risk cutting your natural hair with the tool. Ideally, you should just keep the extensions in, brushing them gently to make sure no tangles form around the roots. Plus, you can use styles that don’t put pressure on your hair.
Taking Out Sew-In Wefts
Sew-in extensions use wefts that a professional stylist sews into a braid. They can be full or partial. As your natural hair grows, it becomes necessary to remove sew-in extensions. It’s better to ask someone to help you, but if this is not possible, you can remove these extensions on your own.
In either case, you’ll need some hair clips and a small pair of scissors. If you’re removing the extensions yourself, you’ll also need a mirror. Use the hair clips to pin your natural hair out of the way, and then cut the thread holding the weft in place. If you’re doing this yourself, you’ll need the mirror to see the back of your head. Once you’ve cut all the threads, unbraid the end braid.
For hair extensions, you can always take out yourself, without the risk of damage to your hair, choose the extensions from ZALA. Our clip-in and halo extensions are extra easy to remove and even put in yourself. We also have everything you need to remove and reapply tape-in extensions, including tape solvent and invisible tape. Find everything in our online store now!
