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One of the big advantages of using a thin /skin base is how easy the cleanup can be. Most people who use tape for extended wear will use red liner tape directly on the thin skin, and then place their stronger tape or adhesive directly on top of that. Although this does not affect the hold in any way, it does make cleanup much easier.
When you use red liner tape, you just gently peel it off of the base along with the tape or glue on top of it. There will be very minimal adhesive residue, if any, left on the base for cleaning. This is a trick is limited to skin bases since red liner tape will only adhere to poly. It can't be used with lace bases.
So if you use red liner tape, the cleanup is easy! If there is any residue, just spray a little solvent on the poly or skin, wait about 15 minutes, then wipe it away with a soft toothbrush, spoon or towel.
For bigger messes, the most popular method is definitely the solvent soak. With a poly system, you'll want to be careful when using solvents because soaking the system too long can cause the thin skin material to pick up a little bit of an orange tint over time.
One rule is very important to follow: be sure to properly clean the solvent off the base before reattaching your unit. If you don't get all of the solvent and adhesive residue off of your base, it can prevent the new tape from adhering properly.
Choosing Between Tape and Glue
Over the years, I have answered many questions regarding which product to use tape or a liquid adhesive. Some customers already know whether they want to use tape or liquid adhesive. They’ve either been using one that works well for them or they are happy with their current attachment time. Other customers are new to wearing wigs and hair systems or they just don’t know which to start with.
Tape Adhesives
Tape is easier for most people to use, so I usually recommend it for first-time hair wearers. The main issues we hear with tape are that it is thicker and creates slightly more of an edge than using glue, it can be shiny and visible through lace in some cases, and some tapes can only be used on thin skin (not tacky enough to stick to lace). However, there are specific tapes that are made to be lower profile, less shiny, designed for sensitive skin, or created to have less breakdown than others, so don’t be afraid to try different products.
Liquid Adhesives
There are two types of liquid adhesive formulas: clear and white. Both are really designed for weekly or extended wear. Clear adhesives (solvent-based) go on clear and dry clear. They typically give a better hold time than white adhesives but can be irritating if you have sensitive skin. White adhesives (water-based) go on white and dry clear. Water-based adhesives are recommended for clients with sensitive skin since they are not as harsh as solvent-based adhesives, but if you have an active lifestyle, they can turn white when you perspire. This is mostly a concern for people who wear a lace base with very light density.
Liquid adhesives can be very messy to work with, especially the tackier adhesives. But to make your method of applying them easier, adhesives come in a variety of different delivery methods including brush-on, squeeze-on and dab-on. Most people apply them with an adhesive brush, cosmetic sponge, Popsicle stick, or a finger.
I always suggest allowing any liquid adhesive to dry for a full 5-7 minutes before tacking lace down into it. This will prevent the adhesive from seeping into the lace and make clean up much easier. Also, if you wear lace, don’t ever apply glue directly to it, as it will be a nightmare to remove later.
Note: Hold time for tab and liquid glue depends mostly on your personal body chemistry, you might need to try a few different products to see which one is going to work best for you.
