Of all the potential causes of problems with tape in extensions, the wrong choice of shampoo is the number one culprit. So, if you’re encountering such issues with your hair pieces as slipping bonds, premature shedding, or a shorter lifespan than you were expecting, you will probably appreciate our advice on how to pick out the best shampoo for tape-in extensions.
While it is essential to go sulphate-free with whatever shampoo you ultimately choose for your tape-ins, it isn’t the onlyfactor to bear in mind. That’s because you will also need to be alert to the presence of such ingredients as heavy silicones, drying alcohols, and oily formulas, all of which can wreak havoc on extension tapes.
So, in this article, we will outline what kinds of products you should be looking for, what you should definitely avoid, and some of our top picks. For your convenience, all the shampoos we have recommended here are available in the UK.
Why Regular Shampoo Damages Tape Extensions
The right shampoo for tape-in hair extensions probably isn’t going to be a standard “off-the-shelf” shampoo from a high-street store. Products in the latter category are often too aggressive for use on hair extensions.
Here are some of the ways poorly chosen shampoos may cut short the lifespan of your tape-ins:
- Sulphates, such as SLS and SLES, strip natural oils and weaken the tape bond, thereby leading to “slippage” of tape-ins over time.
- Silicones, particularly non-water-soluble ones like dimethicone, create buildup and “slip” that has the effect of loosening tapes.
- Parabens and drying alcohols can dehydrate the human hair used in extensions (which, unlike the wearer’s natural hair, doesn’t receive natural oils from the scalp). This can then leave the extension hair more brittle.
- Oil-heavy formulas in shampoos can dissolve or soften the adhesive of tape-ins over time.
All these factors combined mean that using the wrong shampoo could reduce your tape-in extensions’ lifespan to just a few weeks. This compares to the typical wear period of around six to eight weeks that can be expected when tape-ins are well looked after.
Such a shortening of your hair pieces’ longevity would force you to invest in more frequent and costly maintenance to preserve your look. So, we’re sure you’ll much prefer to use the right shampoo for tape-in hair extensions in the first place.
What to Look for in Extension-Safe Shampoo
Whether you’re scanning the aisles of a trusted high-street retailer or shopping online, you should be prioritising the following aspects in your search for the most suitable shampoo for your tape-in extensions.
You will need to prioritise formulas that are designed to cleanse gently without compromising bonds. That means making sure the below boxes are ticked by whatever product you choose:
- The use of sulphate-free shampoo for extensions is non-negotiable. This will enable you to best preserve the strength of your tape-ins’ adhesive.
- It is also crucial to seek out silicone-free shampoos, or those containing only water-soluble silicones, to avoid the accumulation of residue.
- Make sure, too, that your chosen shampoo has a lightweight, non-oily formulation that rinses clean. Avoid “ultra-moisturising” options that rely on heavy oils.
- Go for a pH-balanced shampoo to match hair’s natural acidity and keep the hair cuticle closed. By this, we’re referring to a range of ideally 4.5 to 5.5.
For a “deep dive” look at how to effectively wash and care for hair extensions, you might be interested in reading these professional tape-in shampoo tips and advice from the trusted brand, Cliphair.
Best Shampoos for Tape In Extensions UK
Here are our recommendations of products to consider in your search for the best shampoo for tape-in extensions:
- Cliphair Deep Moisture Shampoo
A specialist formula for human hair extensions such as tape-ins, this shampoo is excellently suited for use on the wearer’s natural hair, too.
This sulphate-free and paraben-free shampoo incorporates shea butter for the best possible hydration. It can be counted on to gently cleanse and lock in moisture, without drying or weighing down tapes. These qualities help make Cliphair’s Deep Moisture Shampoo our pick as the best option for dry or damaged extension hair.
You can get this product for £12 from the Cliphair website; other potential sources include Amazon UK.
- Colour Wow Colour Security Shampoo
This shampoo has a fair claim to being the best overall choice for hair extensions; it is 100% sulphate-free, silicon-free, and residue-free. Colour Wow’s Colour Security Shampoo is designed to protect colour and shine, without causing any loosening of tape bonds.
Such is the proven extension-friendly technology incorporated into this shampoo, we’re confident to declare it our choice as the best salon-quality option.
It can typically be found online from such sources as the Colour Wow UK website, Amazon UK, and LOOKFANTASTIC, for prices of about £20 to £25.
- L’Oréal EverPure Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Widely available in the UK from outlets like Superdrug, Amazon UK, and Boots.com, this shampoo can be relied upon to provide a gentle daily cleanse that won’t dry out your hair extensions or damage the tapes.
You can find this fully sulphate-free and colour-safe shampoo for as little as around £10 to £13, which helps make it our recommended best budget option.
- Beauty Works Pearl Nourishing Argan Oil Shampoo
When it comes to expanding the lifespan and performance of professional hair extensions, you could do a lot worse than investing in this sulphate-free and paraben-free option. Formulated with milk protein and argan oil, it is an excellent product for leaving hair full of body and shine.
You can get this proven shampoo from trusted UK retailers like Next and Very, for prices from approximately £5 to £13.50.
- Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
For an outlay of about £18 to £26 from Amazon UK, Boots.com, or Sally Beauty, you can have this salon-grade, 100% vegan, and sulphate-free shampoo that ideally suits colour-treated extensions. You can expect it to keep your tape-ins soft and tangle-free.
Ingredients to Avoid Completely
In your efforts to care responsibly for your tape-in extensions, shampoo ingredients will matter a lot. So, when you’re scanning the labels of products, keep an eye out for these potentially harmful ingredients near the top; they’re often the main cleansers.
- Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) are harsh detergents that can strip natural oils. In the case of tape-ins, these sulphates can break down the adhesive, causing the tapes to slip or detach prematurely. They also leave extension hair dry, brittle, and susceptible to tangling.
- Heavy silicones, such as dimethicone, can create a “plastic-like” coating. The gradual buildup of this layer over time can cause the extension hair to feel heavy, greasy, and “straw-like”, in addition to bringing about major slippage of the tape-ins.
- Drying types of alcohol, such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, act as solvents that can weaken tape adhesive’s polymer matrix. As a consequence, affected hair pieces can become brittle and chalky. Please note: these drying alcohols should not be confused with cetyl or cetearyl alcohol, which are “fatty” alcohols and are safe.
- Tea tree oil and other essential oils are beneficial for the scalp, but also natural bond-looseners. If, then, they are allowed to seep into tape tabs, this can cause the adhesive to lose its “tack”, followed by immediate slippage.
Here’s a quick tip to help you read shampoo labels faster: if “sulphate-free” isn’t stated, or if any form of “sulphate” is included in the first few ingredients, skip it. Opt for shampoos with “extension-safe” or “bond-friendly” labelling when possible.
How to Wash Tape-In Extensions Properly
It’s one thing to know what shampoo to use with tape extensions. However, there’s also the equally important matter of using the right technique.
So, here are some top tips to help you get the best from the washing of your tape-ins:
- Apply the shampoo primarily to your roots and scalp, rather than the bonds, in a smoothing, downward motion. Focus on working the suds through your hair. Never scrub or bunch up the hair, as this can cause severe matting.
- Make sure you only use lukewarm water, as hot water can soften and loosen the tape adhesive.
- Once you’ve finished shampooing, gently squeeze the hair to remove excess water; never wring or twist it. Pat dry carefully with a microfibre towel to minimise frizz and tension.
- Aim to wash your tape-in hair extensions two to three times per week, at most. Be mindful that over-washing can wear down the adhesive used in tape-ins, in addition to drying out extension hair.
Conditioner and Styling Products for Tape-Ins
Taking care of tape-in extensions in a responsible way is all about protecting the adhesive, at the same time as keeping the hair hydrated.
Given that extensions don’t receive natural oils from the wearer’s scalp, they can be susceptible to drying out quickly. It is also crucial to avoid using poorly suited conditioner and styling products that can cause tape-ins to slip.
So, here are some tips to help you manage your routine:
- Always apply conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends only. The hair from the tape downwards needs the moisture; the bonds do not.
- Never apply conditioner to the tape bond area. If you do, the lubricants in the conditioner will break down the medical-grade adhesive, resulting in the extensions sliding out.
- It is recommended to use a light leave-in conditioner on damp hair. This provides a constant moisture barrier, without weighing the hair down or creating buildup around the tapes.
- Always use a heat protectant spray before reaching for any tools. Make sure it is alcohol-free, given that alcohol is a solvent that can dry out hair and weaken tape bonds.
- Avoid the use of heavy serums and oil treatments near the roots. In other words, keep them away from the top three inches of your hair. Oils are great for the ends, but making sure they aren’t used at the top of your head will help keep your extensions secure for their full typical lifespan of six to eight weeks.
Conclusion
In your search for the best shampoo for tape-in extensions, making sure your chosen product is sulphate-free will be a non-negotiable requirement.
Certainly, investing in extension-safe products will go a long way to protecting your investment in your tape-ins. It will help ensure your hair pieces last for as long as they’re supposed to do, keeping them seamless and vibrant between salon appointments.
However, it is no less important to ensure the shampoo you purchase contains a range of other beneficial ingredients, while pairing this with a proper washing technique and responsible aftercare.
Invest wisely and adhere to our guidelines, and you can be confident in your tape-in extensions staying salon fresh for many weeks more than they might have otherwise done.