Hair extensions for Edinburgh clients: bonds or nano rings?

If you are in Edinburgh looking for hair extensions, the choice that matters most is the method. At my one-chair salon in Bathgate I fit only two: keratin micro capsules (bonds) and nano rings. Bonds are small and flat, are fused to your hair with heat and keratin, and tend to suit people who want something discreet. Nano rings are tiny metal rings clamped onto your hair with no heat or glue, and they tend to suit people who want easier refitting. Which one is right depends on your hair, and I decide it with you at the consultation before anything is fitted.

I'm Patrycja, and I do every fitting myself. Here is how I explain the difference to someone sitting in my chair for the first time.

How each method is fitted

Keratin micro capsules (bonds). Each strand of extension hair has a small keratin tip. I take a fine section of your own hair, place the strand against it, warm the tip with a heated tool and roll it into a small, flat bond. Once it cools, it holds.

Nano rings. Each strand ends in a very small ring. I thread a fine section of your hair through the ring with the extension, then close it with pliers. There is no heat and no adhesive, only the grip of the ring.

Both methods use the same hair. The price includes Slavic Russian human Remy hair, in weights from 50 g to 200 g and lengths of 18, 20-21 and 24 inches. Fitting takes from about 1.5 hours for 50 g to about 4 hours for 200 g, so for a full head plan to spend most of a morning or afternoon with me.

How they feel

For the first few nights, any extensions feel like something new on your head. You notice them when you lie down and when you put your hair up. That settles as you get used to them.

Bonds are flat and soft once cooled, so many people find them less noticeable to the touch. Nano rings are tiny, but they are still a small firm bead, so you may feel them more when running your fingers through near the root. Neither should feel painful. If anything pulls or aches after fitting, tell me, because it usually means a section needs adjusting.

How maintenance works

As your hair grows, the attachments move down from the root and need to be moved back up. Maintenance and removal are separate services from fitting.

With nano rings, maintenance typically means opening each ring, sliding it back towards the root and closing it again, so the same hair can often be reused if it is still in good condition.

With bonds, each bond is softened with a removal solution, taken out and the hair is re-bonded with fresh keratin. It takes a little more work at each appointment.

How long extensions last before maintenance depends on your hair type and aftercare. I'd rather not give you a number that turns out to be wrong for your hair.

Which hair type suits which method

This is where the consultation earns its place. As a rough guide:

• Fine or thin hair: bonds are often my first suggestion, because a small flat bond sits closer to the scalp and is easier to hide when there is not much hair to cover it. Nano rings can also work on fine hair if the sections are kept small.
• Medium to thick hair: both methods work well. Nano rings are a good choice if you want to avoid heat and prefer the simpler refitting.
• Very coarse or very straight, sleek hair: placement matters more than method, because sleek hair hides attachments less. We will talk about where they go and how much weight your hair can carry.

You can read more about how I work on my hair extensions page.

What type of hair extensions are best for thin, fine hair?

For most people with thin, fine hair I lean towards keratin micro capsules in small sections and a lighter weight, because they are flat and discreet. The most important thing is not the method but the amount: too much weight on fine hair puts strain on it. I would always rather start lighter and add more later than overload your own hair.

Who is not a good candidate for hair extensions?

I will be honest at the consultation if extensions are not right for you. They are usually not a good idea if your hair is very fragile or breaking, if you are noticing hair loss or have a scalp condition (please see your GP or a trichologist first, as I cannot assess or treat that), or if you cannot commit to regular maintenance appointments. If you want something you can take in and out yourself, these methods are not it: I do not offer clip-ins or other removable types.

What is the downside of hair extensions?

They take time and ongoing care. The first fitting can take several hours, you need maintenance as your hair grows, and removal is a separate appointment. You have to brush gently from the ends up, avoid sleeping on wet hair and be careful with heat near the attachments. If those appointments and habits do not fit your life, extensions will feel like a chore rather than a treat.

Can you tell if someone is wearing hair extensions?

When they are fitted well, usually not. What gives extensions away is a poor colour match, attachments placed too close to the parting or hairline, or a length and fullness your own hair could never support. I match colour and blend placement so the extensions move with your hair, and I will tell you if the length you want would look obviously added on your hair.

How much do hair extensions cost in West Lothian, Scotland?

The cost depends on three things: the weight of hair you need (from 50 g to 200 g), the length (18, 20-21 or 24 inches) and the method. The hair itself is included in the price. Maintenance and removal are priced separately. Current prices are on my price list, and I agree the exact price with you at the consultation before I start.

Hair extension maintenance and refitting near Bathgate: where?

I do maintenance, refitting and removal for keratin bonds and nano rings at Hair Majesty in Bathgate. If someone else fitted your extensions, bring them to a consultation and I will check the hair and attachments first, then tell you honestly whether they can be refitted or whether removal is the better option. I only work with these two methods, so I cannot maintain tape-ins, weaves or other types.

What happens at your first appointment

Every visit is by appointment and starts with a consultation. I look at your hair's thickness, condition and colour, ask what you want day to day, and suggest a method, weight and length. One review put it like this: "She listens attentively to your requirements, shares her ideas & expert advice." That is the part I care about most. The price is agreed before the service starts, so there are no surprises at the end.

If you are weighing up whether to come from Edinburgh to Bathgate for this, the consultation is the easiest way to decide. You can book an appointment online.