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An Expert Colorist

Styling Professional located in the West Coast who specialises in silver hair. Among his clientele are celebrated actors and renowned personalities.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I highly recommend a soft fabric towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to remove moisture from your strands. Most people don’t realise how much harm a standard towel can do, notably with lightened or dyed strands. A simple switch can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another affordable staple is a broad-toothed comb, to use in the shower. It protects the hair while smoothing out tangles and helps maintain the integrity of the individual hairs, notably following coloring.

Which investment truly pays off?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – ceramic or tourmaline, with smart temperature control. Lightened strands can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the reality is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients melt their hair, break it off or end up with uneven tones that are incredibly challenging to remedy. 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 long-term damage or discoloration.

What’s the most common mistake you see in your salon?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their specific hair needs. Some overuse toning shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks flat and dull. Some depend excessively on high-protein masks and end up with stiff, brittle hair. A further common mistake is thermal styling minus a barrier. When applying styling appliances without a heat protectant, – notably with color-treated strands – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

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

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. My advice includes scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to boost blood flow and support follicle health. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps clear out buildup and allows products to perform better. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown positive outcomes. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by balancing body chemistry, tension and lack of vital nutrients.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, blood-derived therapies – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be successful. That said, I always suggest getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to get to the root cause rather than seeking quick fixes.

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A Trichology Expert

Scalp and Hair Scientist and brand president of Philip Kingsley clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

My trims are every couple of months, but will snip damaged ends myself every two weeks to keep my ends healthy, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Hair-thickening particles are remarkably effective if you have see-through sections. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – and also currently as I’m going through some significant shedding after having a severe illness recently. Since hair is non-vital, it’s the earliest indicator of health issues when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

What justifies a higher investment?

If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say medicated treatments. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the most effective improvements. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

What should you always skip?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It shows no real benefit. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can affect thyroid test results.

What blunder stands out often?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the primary purpose of washing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. Many individuals refrain from cleansing as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the opposite is true – especially if you have dandruff, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If natural oils stay on the head, they decompose and cause irritation.

Unfortunately, what your scalp needs and what your hair likes don’t always align, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it is unlikely to cause damage.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. If you're interested in complementary therapies, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will clear up naturally. Alternatively, endocrine issues or nutrient shortages may be the cause – the typical deficiencies involve iron, B12 and vitamin D – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus