Making the most of your Kinesiology Tape

Kinesiology Tape, when applied correctly, should last 5 to 7 days, so unfortunately, there will come a time when you need to be brave and remove that tape, just like pulling off a plaster. Sometimes activity and movement can loosen the adhesive and the tape starts to peel at the edges, other times the tape is reluctant to move. Here's some tips to make  removal as quick and pain free as possible.

Before you tape:

Choosing the right tape. We offer a range of different kinesiology tapes, and it is important to find the one that is the best fit for you. Different brands and types have different properties, for example Mueller tape is latex free, and Rocktape do an extra sticky roll featuring a stronger adhesive. Some brands also do a gentle version of their tapes for sensitive skin or people who have had problems with adhesives on their skin in the past, often they have a gel based adhesive formulated for delicate or fragile skin. Avoiding extras. Kinesiology tape should not require any extra spray adhesive or skin preparation, we do not recommend any additional products to improve adhesion. Soap and water should be the only things you need to prepare your skin for taping. Apply your tape correctly to clean and dry skin. When applying be careful not to over stretch the ends of the tape, If the tape is pulling the skin it can lead to irritation. Top tip; another way to make your tape stick for longer is to cut curved corners rather than sharp ones.

Removal Time:

Removing the tape after soaking it in warm water can seem like a good idea, but don't remove the tape while it's wet. The adhesive in quality kinesiology tape is made to be non water soluble so warm water won't actually loosen the hold. In fact, soaking the tape can create suction that pulls the skin with the tape. Ouch! Air drying is best, or pat dry with a towel. Stretch the muscle. Much like during application, flex as much as possible to keep the skin tight, but not so much as to be uncomfortable or cause pain. Hold your skin. Use one hand to hold the skin tight around where you are removing the tape. Use your thumb and index finger to frame the area. Pressing down on the skin close to where the tape is lifting, will keep the skin taut and help reduce area feeling the pull of the tape. Roll don't pull. Start from the top of the tape application, roll the tape from the edge in the direction of hair growth. Even if you did shave before application, it is always wise to go in the direction hair growth as it will reduce the amount of irritation to the follicles and pores. Soap and water. Once you have rolled off the tape, in rare cases there may be some adhesive residue. It should not be sticky, but sometimes there is a thin residue. This should come off with a bit of soap and water or hand sanitizer.

Give your skin a little break. For some people kinesiology tape is an everyday solution to mobility problems. If you are removing an application and replacing it with fresh tape on a regular basis, we do recommend giving your skin an hour or so to rest between applications. Whilst kinesiology tapes are breathable, removing an application skin can get a little flushed and puffy. Allowing about an hour between applications gives your skin some time to recover. View our full range of kinesiology tape here.