The First 48 Hours
Tape-in adhesive needs time to bond, so give it 48 undisturbed hours.
- No wash for 48 hours. Getting water on the tape before the bond cures shortens your wear time.
- Sleep flat and low. Tie your hair loosely at the nape of your neck and keep it off the top of your head.
- Brush gently. Use a wet brush or paddle brush, start at the ends and work up, and hold the tape at the root as you go.
- Wear a silk or satin scarf or bonnet every night. Cotton dries out raw hair quickly.
Daily & Weekly Care
When you wash less often and condition carefully, the same hair can be used again for your next install.
- Wash every 7 to 10 days with a sulfate-free shampoo. Washing too often loosens the tape.
- Deep condition the lengths, and keep conditioner off the tape.
- Dry the tapes completely before drying the rest of your hair, because wet tapes slip.
- Mist a leave-in down the lengths while keeping the scalp and tapes dry.
Keeping Your Extension Hair Soft
Raw extension hair does not receive the natural oils from your scalp, so it depends on you for moisture. If your ends feel dry or rough, plan a treatment at your refresh appointment.
- Mist the lengths with water or a water-based leave-in a few times a week, keeping the tapes dry.
- Seal the ends with a light oil, and keep it away from the tapes.
- Detangle gently with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, holding the tape at the root.
What to avoid
- Conditioner, oil, or grease on the tapes.
- Co-washes that skip shampoo entirely.
- Sleeping with wet hair.
- High-tension styles that pull at the tapes.
- Saltwater or chlorine, unless you rinse right away.
Refresh Timeline
Plan to refresh every 4 to 5 weeks. Every head of hair is different, and an install can last up to 8 weeks before it needs to be fully removed.
Week 1
Settle in
Wait 48 hours before washing so the adhesive can bond, and hold the tape at the root whenever you brush.
Week 2 to 3
Mid-cycle
Keep conditioner, oil, and grease off the tapes, and dry the tapes completely after every wash. Message me a photo if a tape slips.
Week 4 to 5
Refresh
Come back to have your tape-ins moved up.
Save your hair after removal. Wash it, condition it, let it air-dry, and store it in a silk bag. Black Hair Co raw hair can be reused as long as you keep it clean.
Questions at any time
If anything feels off, take a photo of the area and text me at (857) 233-1147 or send a DM to @bostonhairpro. If you reach out within 7 days of your install, we will book a complimentary adjustment.