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A Color Specialist

Styling Professional based in California who focuses on silver hair. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and Andie MacDowell.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

My top pick is a gentle drying cloth, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to dry your hair. Most people don’t realise how much stress a regular bath towel can do, notably with silver or chemically treated hair. This one small change can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another affordable staple is a large-gap comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while removing knots and helps keep the health of the hair shafts, particularly post-bleaching.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – ceramic or tourmaline, with smart temperature control. Grey and blonde hair can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the correct device.

What style or process should you always avoid?

Self-applied color lifting. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the truth is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients melt their hair, snap their strands or end up with uneven tones that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I also don’t recommend long-term smoothing services on pre-lightened strands. Such treatments are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause chronic issues or undesired tones.

What frequent error do you observe?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their particular strand characteristics. A number of people misuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks lifeless and muted. A few overdo on high-protein masks and end up with stiff, brittle hair. A further common mistake is using hot tools sans safeguard. When applying styling appliances without a protective product, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

What would you suggest for thinning hair?

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. My advice includes scalp formulas with active ingredients to enhance nutrient delivery and support follicle health. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps clear out buildup and allows treatments to work more effectively. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown notable improvements. They work internally to benefit externally by balancing body chemistry, tension and nutritional deficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be effective. That said, I always suggest consulting a skin or hair specialist initially. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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Anabel Kingsley

Scalp and Hair Scientist and leader in hair health centers and lines targeting thinning.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

My trims are every couple of months, but will trim off splits at home every two weeks to preserve strand health, and have color touches every two months.

What affordable find is essential?

Hair-thickening particles are absolutely amazing if you have see-through sections. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it seamlessly blended. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – and also presently during some considerable hair loss after having awful flu a few months ago. 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 balanced, nutritious diet.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the most effective improvements. 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?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It doesn’t work. 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 hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

Also, high-dose biotin. Rarely do people lack biotin, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

What blunder stands out often?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the primary purpose of washing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the reverse is correct – particularly with flaky scalp, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If oils are left on your scalp, they break down and become inflammatory.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a careful compromise. However, if you cleanse softly and treat damp strands kindly, it shouldn't harm your hair.

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

For FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you prefer not to use it or are unable, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – and it will clear up naturally. Sometimes, hormonal problems or dietary gaps are responsible – 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