How to Ensure Hair System Tape Sticks

Just like pretty much everything else, tape is not fail-proof. We try to make our tape as amazing as possible, and we do a pretty good job. However, there are still ways that it can go wrong.

There are times when you get everything ready to put the hair system on your client, but the tape is just not sticking. Or your client calls you a little while after the appointment saying that the tape has lost its tack. What do you do then?

We want to make things as easy for you as we can. To help you out, we made a guide on how to troubleshoot and fix any problems you may be having with your tape sticking.

Prep Helps Make Tape Stick

One of the biggest things that could make tape not adhere as well is prep. If the prep done on your workstation, the system, or your client isn’t adequate, the tape could lose its stickiness. 

There are a few things that you need to make sure you do in your prep. One is to wash your hands. Everyone’s hands are covered in natural oils, along with any residue from just living your life. So, make sure your hands are nice and clean so these oils and residue don’t get on the tape.

Another thing that could help is wiping down your work surfaces with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. This helps get any dirt or residue off the surfaces and keeps them from getting on the tape.

The next thing is washing your client’s hair and their system. This will get rid of more (you guessed it) oil and residue. The tape will stick to your client and the system much better this way. Our Bond Breaker Shampoo is a great way to help get rid of any residue in the system and your client’s hair. 

One last tip is to have positioning spray handy. If you’re unfamiliar with our Just Rite Positioning Spray, it’s a great tool to have around. It temporarily suspends the stickiness of a tape, so that you can adjust the system without losing any of the tack of the tape.

If everything is prepped properly, you should have fewer problems with the tack of your tape. To learn more about how prep can make a difference, read our prep products overview blog.

Know Your Client

Another factor that could affect how your tape sticks is the client. 

We all know that nobody is exactly the same. Some people have oilier skin than others. This could mean that even with washing, an extended wear tape may not be enough. They may need a stronger tape.

If you’re having problems getting an extended wear tape to stick to your client, perhaps a maximum wear tape would work better. If your client has sensitive skin, we also have stronger tapes that are kind on all skin types. Like Pro-Flex II for example.

If you use a weaker tape on a client who is prone to not following best practices for the best wear experience, the tape probably won’t last very long. So, for clients like that, you may want to choose something stronger. 
Getting to know your clients’ needs will help ensure that you are giving them the products and care they need, without fighting with your tape.

Know Your Environment

There is one last thing that could make all the difference in the world with the tape you’re using: climate.
Where you live can have an effect on how well tape sticks. If you live somewhere very hot and/or humid, tape could have a hard time sticking. 

Between the sweat and the humidity, the tape could struggle to get a hold. This is where prep products like Max Hold Sport come into play. They will help keep everything in place during those hot, humid months.
Another product that could help with this is our Scalp Protector.

Like Max Hold Sport, it is designed with the idea that not everyone lives in the ideal conditions for tape adhesive. It can help reduce the loss of tack in tape when exposed to water, sweat, oil, and humid conditions.

Of course, if you live somewhere cooler and/or drier, this may not be an issue for you. You may just have to talk with your client about their habits. For example, if they go to saunas with any regularity, you may have to adjust your methods.

You can read a bit more about how temperature and humidity can affect a tape’s hold on our blog.
There is a good chance that you’re dealing with a mixture of factors that could make your tape lose tack. This means that you may have to experiment a little to find the exact mix of fixes to get the tape to stick right. It’s all part of the Walker Way.

The Walker Way is all about prepping properly and finding the right mix of products to keep your clients coming back. While this experimenting may take a minute, it will keep your client happy. They will have systems that will stay on comfortably for as long as they need.

If you want to learn more about how the Walker Way works, read about it in our Walker Way blog.
It’s understandable if you’re worried about how long it could take to find the right mix of products. But there are ways that you streamline this experimentation. We would recommend talking with your client when they first make the appointment. Ask them questions about their habits and skin sensitivity so that you know what products you may need.

It will also help if you do whatever prep you can before your client gets there. Clean your work surfaces and get all of the products ready. If your client has two systems, you can get the new one ready to go before they get there. That way, all you need to do is wash their hair and put the system in place.