For those not fully conversant with hair extension methods and equipment, the various different applications may seem a little confusing. You can get hair extensions in the form of fusion bonds, weaves, tape-ins, micro rings and nano rings, but by far the most popular (and convenient) are micro rings.

Micro rings and nano rings are both commonly used for hair extensions, and both are generally made from copper; good ones have a silicone inner to protect your hair. Both also have a similar application method, but there are a couple of important differences worth knowing about before you get hair extensions. There is a reason why we only use micro rings at our Manchester hair extension salon… read on for more information and the differences between micro and nano rings, including why we don’t use both:

The size difference between micro rings and nano rings

Looking at micro rings and nano rings, it’s obvious that they are similar in appearance. The main difference between the two is the size. Nano rings are around 90% smaller in size than micro rings, and are about the same size as a ballpoint pen nib.

Micro ring hair extensions should not be noticeable at all in your hair, if installed correctly. However, some people prefer that the rings are as small and invisible as possible, so they go for nano rings. Both micro rings and nano rings are comfortable to wear. People with exceptionally fine hair might opt for nano rings so that their hair extensions are not noticeable, but here at New Image, we’re adept at installing micro rings in any kind of hair without them being noticeable – after all, that’s our job!

The difference in fitting nano rings versus micro rings...

There is barely any difference at all in the fitting techniques for nano and micro rings. The equipment used to install both types of rings is exactly the same, as follows:

Micro rings or nano rings
Pulling needle
Comb
Hair extension pliers
Apart from the ring size, there is a difference is in the hair extension tip. Nano rings can only be used with nano tip extensions, which each have a tiny loop of metal, plastic or acrylic wire inserted into the keratin-reinforced tip – this is what allows them to be fitted with such small rings.

Micro rings are used to install standard stick-tip hair extensions. You can’t use nano rings with these stick tip extensions as they don’t have the wire loop, and you can’t use micro rings with nano tip extensions as they are too large.

Why we use micro rings over nano rings at our Manchester hair extension salon...

So here’s the biggie, and it’s a game changer for us on the hair extension front. We believe that in order to do the best job of hair extension installation, we have to get the colour matching exactly right. Although nano rings are a convenient installation technique, they make it difficult to get an accurate colour match since the hair extensions come pre-bonded and ready for installation.

With micro rings, that isn’t the case. We get to pre-blend the hair to match our clients hair shades exactly, and then we can bond the tips ourselves before attaching the hair extensions with micro rings. We wouldn’t do it any other way, as we know for sure this creates the most natural look possible.

Thinking of getting hair extensions fitted in Manchester?

Come and see us at New Image hair extension salon in Manchester for a free consultation and we will be happy to answer any questions you have. Whatever type of hair you choose, from Russian Remy hair to European hair, and whichever application you prefer… we guarantee you’ll leave us feeling more beautiful than ever!

Hair extensions are now more popular than ever, which is something we can vouch for as the leading hair extension salon in Manchester. We see women every day who have taken their inspiration from celebrities such as Kate Middleton (so we hear!)… and also from our other customers, we don’t mind admitting!

One thing we’re getting used to is questions from our new clients, and we welcome those. We want to be sure you know what you’re getting into before you make a commitment to having hair extensions. It’s the same as anything that requires maintenance – you’ll need to take proper care of them, so it doesn’t hurt to know as much as you can about these beauty-enhancing wonders!

That’s why we’ve decided to debunk a few of the most common hair extension myths that seem to be doing the rounds. After all, knowledge is power, as they say! Here are four common perceptions on hair extensions, followed by our professional take on the matter:

1. The best hair extensions come from India

No, that’s not strictly true. Although Indian hair is fine and curly (so can look natural) it isn’t so great for hair extensions for a few reasons:

The hair breaks easily

The pigment is very dark and can be damaged by lightening processes

Extension processing in India is generally not high quality compared to other countries

For this reason, we don’t use Indian hair for hair extensions. The same goes for South American hair, which in our experience is lower in quality to hair from other countries – there aren’t many good suppliers either. Our preference is both European and Russian Remy hair, as the quality is much higher and the pigments are lighter so they’re easier to colour, taking dyes better.

2. You shouldn’t chemically treat hair extensions

OK, we all know that dying or bleaching hair reduces the quality somewhat. However, that depends on the quality of the dye and the process used. However, our chemical treatments are gentle and don’t compromise the quality of our hair. It is necessary to dye some hair, as there are some hair colours that are not natural, such as bright reds and purple shades.

Sometimes our clients want extensions to match their regular dyed colour, so we choose hair from a selection of shades and mix them to blend with it. We don’t recommend that you dye your extensions yourself, as you might damage them with poor quality dyes or incorrect processing.

Ladies who are looking for the highest quality hair tend to go for Russian Remy hair extensions, since these are the best in the world. It is very unusual to be able to source light blond Russian hair, which makes natural blonde incredibly expensive when it is available! Russian hair is lightly pigmented, so it can be bleached easily… and since you won’t need to keep on bleaching extensions as you would your own hair, you don’t need to worry about fading or damage.

3. You don’t need much training to install hair extensions

Well, that’s completely untrue. You need a lot of training and experience to do a great job in hair extension installation. We’ve lost count of the number of repair jobs we’ve had to do, but the worst thing is that a lot of women didn’t even know how bad the installation had been – they don’t know what to look for and couldn’t see it up close anyway. Never let amateurs mess with your hair – that’s how you end up with broken, damaged natural hair and bald patches… it’s simply not worth it.

We have decades of experience between us in our Manchester hair extension salon, and it shows. As mentioned above, we are careful to source the best quality hair extensions, so we’re not going to fall at the next hurdle if we can help it! Our installation processes are precise and refined, and we never let anyone leave the salon without a perfect hair extension job. If anything was ever to go wrong after a client has left, we are here to solve the problem.

4. You don’t need much training to remove micro ring hair extensions

Actually, there is some truth to this. We don’t particularly recommend removing them yourself as there’s more chance of damaging your hair. However, it is possible to do so using little pliers to open your micro rings gently and carefully, before slipping the extensions out of the ring.

We do recommend that if you really can’t get to our Manchester hair extension clinic, you get a friend to remove them for you. It’s a little tricky to do at first but with some small pliers and a steady hand, it’s possible. See this micro ring removal video for a demo.

We hope you’ve found this article educational… if so, check our regular blog for many more insights, tips and ideas about hair extensions. Otherwise, pop into our Manchester hair extension clinic or give us a call for a chat!

Perhaps in part due to media influence, women of today are very identified with their hair. It is a vital part of one’s look, and relates largely to self-confidence. It is little wonder then that we so many women come through our Manchester hair extension salon doors every day – and all year round.

Our hair changes over time – sometimes quite dramatically. This can be due to hormonal changes, illness, chemical damage or even just ageing. For this reason women turn to hair extensions to replenish or enhance their looks, and this is a trend that has caught on all around the world. The hair extension industry is now booming, and it is interesting to take a look at some of the trends and statistics around hair extensions.

Let’s take a look at the most interesting hair extension statistics:

1. In 2011, more than 16,000 tons of hair products from wool to human hair were exported on order to be made into hair extensions and wigs. The year before, that number was more like 12,000 tons. The supply chain for human hair globally is growing at an eyebrow-raising rate of 40% per year.

2. Every year, the total export value for the hair extension industry amounts to around $1 billion, with imports amounting to about the same.

3. By 2023 (according to Research and Markets), the global industry is predicted to reach a market value of $10 billion.

4. In the United States alone in 2017, the hair extension industry reached revenues of $346 million, with more than 1,000 businesses supplying and fitting the hair products. This equates to around 3,000 employees working in the hair extension industry.

5. According to Final Step Marketing, of all the countries in the world, China is the major exporter of hair for wigs and extensions, having shipped out more than 7,000 tons in 2011. This was valued at more than $56 million. At this time, China also tripled its Indian hair imports to 1.1 kilograms, which was up from only 800 pounds back in 2009.

6. In terms of total value, India is the big hitter. In 2011, India exported around 2,000 tons of hair at a cost of $220 million (again, according to Final Step Marketing).

7. In 2013, HM Revenue and Customs documented over £38m of hair entering the UK, making it the third biggest importer of human hair in the world.

8. Hair extensions in the United Kingdom have tripled in popularity since 2005, whereas in wigs has decreased in this timeframe.

9. 34% of women admit that wearing hair extensions is a regular part of their beauty routine, and 76% of hair extension users say that they chose them because they add value to their image.

10. Women in the UK typically keep their hair extensions in for between 2 and 4 months before having them removed, refitted or replaced - depending on the condition of the hair extensions, which may by then have dried out to some degree. At New Image, we often advise visitors to our Manchester hair extensions salon to choose Russian Hair extensions, which last for a long time due to their superior quality.

11. According to Final Step Marketing, around 90% of the world’s population has dark brown hair. As a result, the hair extension industry tends to receive less naturally blonde hair. Rarity inevitably dictates price.

12. 81% of women are satisfied with the their hair extensions when they first see their reflection after installation, says the National Institutes of Health.

13.  How permanent do women consider their hair extensions to be? In America, 2% consider them so, while 49% will say they’re semi-permanent. 40% think of them as a temporary boost to self-confidence.

The fact is that even when women cannot afford genuine human Remy hair extensions, they will seek out an alternative to enhance their hair. Today’s most popular hair extensions are micro rings, which we install a lot of at our Manchester hair extension clinic. We know we’re the best in town, but if you are wondering whether you should choose us, read more.

It doesn’t have to cost the earth, and we have a range of different hair types and installation methods to suit. We custom match colours to make sure you achieve the perfect look, whatever the hair quality you opt for. We’re here to help, so get in touch to find out what we can do for you.

Here at New Image hair extension salon in Manchester, we see a surprising number of women who have been through cancer treatments. As you are no doubt aware, traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can leave people with dramatic hair loss, which in turn affects their self-confidence.

It is understandable that women with hair loss want to do all that they can to restore the looks they are accustomed to. However they often have a lot of questions about the plausibility of having hair extensions installed, given that their own hair may be patchy or weakened at best.

We have therefore put together an article answering the most common questions about hair extensions after cancer treatment:

Can I have hair extensions installed at all?

This is the first and most obvious question. The simple answer to this is yes, you can have hair extensions installed provided that you have enough hair regrowth for us to properly attach the extensions to.

However, your hair would need to have grown evenly, and on average we need about five or six inches of hair in order to properly fix extensions in place. The hair needs to be growing from the crown area downwards, and whether we can attach them to your hair also depends on your hair type. For example, if it is very curly, it may be more difficult at such a short length.

If you are looking to grow your own hair back, check out our top tips on the best products for growing your hair. The longer your hair is, the easier (and cheaper) it will be to install hair extensions for you.

Should I consult my Doctor before having hair extensions?

We would advise discussing the possibility of hair extensions with your healthcare provider, yes. Do bear in mind though that your Doctor may not know much about hair extensions and the effect they are likely to have on your hair. They should know whether it is OK for you to dye your hair, and we would prefer that you check this out with them if you’re thinking of having us dye it for you.

If in doubt, we advise steering away from harsh chemicals and sticking with natural, plant-based dyes that are unlikely to place unnecessary strain on your immune system.

Can I have hair extensions if I have alopecia?

There are different types of alopecia, but the term alopecia is generally the name for hair loss. It is a common side effect of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and bone marrow or stem cell transplants. Alopecia can also be caused by other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your hair follicles, although the cause is unknown.

In our Manchester hair extension clinic we have seen many women with alopecia. On many occasions we have successfully installed hair extensions for alopecia sufferers, but whether we can or not depends on the severity of the alopecia and the way that it has manifested on the scalp. We can do our best to cover it for you, but we would need to book you in for a free consultation in order to give a definitive answer.

Which types of alopecia are not compatible with hair extensions?

There is one type of alopecia that we can’t work with, unfortunately. That is traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by a pulling force on the hair. It can happen because you have worn your hair in tight hairstyles such as ponytails, high buns or pigtails too much, for example.

If you have this type of alopecia, we won’t be able to install hair extensions for you. That’s because the weight of the hair extensions could worsen the condition, which is obviously the opposite of the effect you want to achieve. A lot of women have hair extensions installed so that they can allow their own hair to grow back naturally underneath. This can only happen when the hair extensions are properly installed, usually with strategically placed micro rings.

If we feel that the hair extensions are going to be of detriment to your natural hair growth, we won’t be able to install them. The best thing you can do is have a chat with us and together we will work out what is right for you.

So here it is… finally! The summer is rolling around here in the UK, and all the Manchester ladies with hair extensions will likely be gearing up for showing off their locks in the sun. Certain summer activities do take their toll on our hair though, and the same goes for hair extensions… but don’t worry - caring for your hair extensions throughout the summer is easily done with a little know-how, and that’s what we’re here for.

Your hair extensions will probably be exposed to sun, sweat, salt water, and perhaps chlorine. All these can damage your hair if you’re not careful, so in order to avoid the tangles, we recommend paying a little attention to our top tips. This way you’ll keep your hair extensions in good condition, avoiding troublesome tangles and dried up tendrils.

How to Care for Bonded Extensions in the Summer Heat

Bonded extensions can be a little more susceptible to heat and substance damage, so you’ll need to take a little extra care of those this summer. It’s actually water you’ll need to be most wary of, as bonds can be a little fragile when they get wet.

That doesn’t mean you can’t go swimming, but we recommend that you don’t lie around floating with your hair extensions immersed in water for too long. As soon as you get the chance, dry them off properly, and make sure you also give them a rough dry at every opportunity. The summer air will take care of the rest. Oh, and when we say rough, don’t take that too literally! Be gentle with your bonds to make sure they last.

It can be a good idea to braid your extensions or keep them in a bun while you’re swimming, if you can. Be careful of how you position your bun, as pulling the bonds tight can loosen them. While we’re on the subject, you might be interested in our simple but sexy hair extension styles for the summer too!

Caring for Other Kinds of Hair Extensions During Summer

This applies to micro-rings and any other kinds of extensions. Micro rings tend to be more durable than bonds, but be careful not to get creams or lotions in your hair - especially around the rings. These can cause the rings to loosen or slip, and you’ll find your extensions dropping out. By all means use leave-in conditioners, but just keep them away from the installation points.

Make sure you wash your hands after applying creams or lotions to your body so that you don’t accidentally transfer residue to your micro rings when absent-mindedly messing with your hair. It’s easily done!

Top Tips for Handling all Kinds of Hair Extensions

We always recommend being gentle with your hair, summer or otherwise. That means:

• Using sulfate-free hair products
• Brushing your hair regularly (but not harshly) with a Tangle Teezer-type brush
• Holding the hair below your rings, bonds or tape when brushing it
• Applying conditioner at least two inches away from your bonds, rings or tape
• Washing hair gently, even if it’s full of salt and chlorine
• Shampooing hair no more than three times each week if you can get away with it
• Applying regular leave-in conditioner to the hair extensions to keep them supple
• Using detangling products for those post-sea and swimming pool days

As you can see, caring for your hair extensions in the summer isn’t a military operation. It just takes a little mindfulness and dedication to routine in order to preserve your precious extensions. Hair extensions are obviously an investment, so you’ll want to make them go the distance… and since the summer is one of the best times to show them off you will want to make the effort to keep them in tip-top condition to enhance your summer glow.

If you haven’t yet taken the plunge and had hair extensions installed, pop into our Manchester hair extension salon for a free consultation and we’ll have you rocking that sexy summer look in no time at all. We also have lots of products available to help you on your summer hair care mission.