Generally, I-Tips will last 2 to 3 months before the next move up appointment—with proper care, that is. If your client has some extra time to stop in and get the I-Tips removed before their scheduled move up appointment, then we highly recommend you suggest it as a stylist. The reason for wanting your client to take them out a few days before re-installation is because it gives them some extra time to give their worn hair extensions some TLC to revive them. Below are some suggestions for your I-Tip clients:

Clarify. After having the I-Tips in your hair for a while, you can’t help but have a little build up at your roots. Once you’ve removed all of the hair extension strands, use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of all the residue that might have been left behind from the bond used on the strands. You can also clarify the tips of the hair extensions because after they’ve been clamped down for so long, the bond tends to get a little tacky. Of course using a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo should have them squeaky clean for the re-installation.

Deep condition. One of the hardest things to do is to deep condition your I-Tips while they are still clamped on your hair because you risk getting some of the conditioner near the beads, which can lead to slippage. Once you’ve taken out the beads, you can deep condition both your natural hair and your extensions to revive them both and have them look as great as the first installation.

Bond. Sometimes when you take the I-Tips out, it can fray the bond around the strand making it hard for it to fit through the bead. Once your client has taken them out, it’ll be faster to rebond the strands again. You can use the Fusion melting connector to apply some heat at the tips and roll them between your fingers to get them back to the size that you need them to fit into the beads. If you do not have a Fusion melting connector, you can use a straightening iron that will work the same.

Have a question about any of the steps above? Leave it in the comments below and we’ll get back to you!