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Jack Martin

Colourist based in the Golden State who focuses on silver hair. He works with Jane Fonda and well-known figures.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I highly recommend a microfibre towel, or even a gentle tee to dry your hair. It's often overlooked how much stress a typical terrycloth towel can do, particularly for silver or chemically treated hair. This minor adjustment can really lessen brittleness and splitting. A second budget-friendly essential is a large-gap comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while smoothing out tangles and helps preserve the strength of the hair shafts, notably following coloring.

Which investment truly pays off?

A top-tier thermal appliance – featuring innovative technology, with precise heat settings. Grey and blonde hair can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the right iron.

What style or process should you always avoid?

Self-applied color lifting. Social media makes it look easy, but the actual fact is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients melt their hair, snap their strands or end up with bands of colour that are nearly impossible to correct. It's best to steer clear of long-term smoothing services on color-treated or grey hair. These chemical systems are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause chronic issues or discoloration.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their hair type or colour. A number of people misuse violet-based cleansers until their silver or blond hair looks drab and lacking shine. Others rely too much on strengthening conditioners and end up with stiff, brittle hair. A further common mistake is using hot tools sans safeguard. If you’re using styling appliances without a defensive spray or cream, – notably with color-treated strands – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

Which product, treatment or supplement would you recommend for hair loss?

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. I also recommend scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to boost blood flow and promote root strength. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps remove residue and allows products to perform better. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by addressing hormonal imbalances, tension and dietary insufficiencies.

For people looking for something more advanced, blood-derived therapies – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be successful. Still, my advice is to seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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Anabel Kingsley

Trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley services and items for shedding.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will remove split ends personally every two weeks to maintain tip integrity, and have color touches every two months.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Building fibers are truly impressive if you have see-through sections. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it virtually undetectable. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had significant shedding – and also currently as I’m going through some marked thinning after having a severe illness recently. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

What justifies a higher investment?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the most effective improvements. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It doesn’t work. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

Which error is most frequent?

Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – because the main goal of cleansing is to remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the opposite is true – especially if you have dandruff, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If oils are left on your scalp, they decompose and cause irritation.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it shouldn't harm your hair.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. It's backed by strong research and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. If you then want to try other things to support minoxidil’s effect, or you simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will resolve on its own. Alternatively, endocrine issues or nutrient shortages may be the cause – the frequent culprits include iron stores, B12 and D insufficiency – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus