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A Color Specialist

Styling Professional located in California who focuses on silver hair. He works with Hollywood stars and well-known figures.

What affordable item can't you live without?

My top pick is a gentle drying cloth, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to remove moisture from your strands. Many are unaware how much damage a standard towel can do, notably with grey or color-processed hair. This minor adjustment can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another affordable staple is a broad-toothed comb, to use in the shower. It shields your locks while smoothing out tangles and helps maintain the integrity of the strands, notably following coloring.

Which investment truly pays off?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – ceramic or tourmaline, with precise heat settings. Lightened strands can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the proper tool.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Self-applied color lifting. Internet videos often simplify it, but the reality is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people melt their hair, experience breakage or end up with striped effects that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I also don’t recommend keratin or permanent straightening treatments on pre-lightened strands. These formulations are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause chronic issues or undesired tones.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their specific hair needs. A number of people misuse toning shampoo until their lightened locks looks flat and dull. A few overdo on strengthening conditioners and end up with rigid, fragile strands. A further common mistake is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using styling appliances without a defensive spray or cream, – 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. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. My advice includes scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to boost blood flow and promote root strength. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps clear out buildup and allows products to perform better. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown positive outcomes. They work internally to benefit externally by addressing hormonal imbalances, tension and nutritional deficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, PRP therapy – where a personalized serum is applied – can be beneficial. However, I consistently recommend seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. 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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Anabel Kingsley

Scalp and Hair Scientist and head of a renowned clinic centers and lines targeting thinning.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will snip damaged ends myself fortnightly to preserve strand health, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Toppik hair fibres are remarkably effective if you have see-through sections. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it seamlessly blended. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had a lot of hair fall – and also currently as I’m going through some considerable hair loss after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need medicated treatment to see the optimal outcomes. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It doesn’t work. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

Also, high-dose biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, 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 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 – particularly with flaky scalp, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. When sebum remains on the skin, 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. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it shouldn't harm your hair.

Which options help with shedding?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. Scientific support is substantial 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 prefer not to use it or are unable, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will improve spontaneously. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – 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