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A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert based in California who excels at grey hair. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and renowned personalities.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I swear by a microfibre towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to towel-dry your locks. Many are unaware how much stress 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 while conditioning. It safeguards your strands while removing knots and helps keep the health of the hair shafts, notably following coloring.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – ceramic or tourmaline, with adjustable temperature options. Grey and blonde hair can yellow or burn easily without the right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Social media makes it look easy, but the truth is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people severely damage their locks, break it off or end up with uneven tones that are extremely difficult to fix. It's best to steer clear of keratin or permanent straightening treatments on pre-lightened strands. These formulations are often too aggressive for delicate locks and can cause long-term damage or undesired tones.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their particular strand characteristics. A number of people misuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks drab and lacking shine. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with rigid, fragile strands. Another significant problem is using hot tools sans safeguard. When applying hot tools or dryers without a protective product, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I often suggest follicle treatments containing stimulants to boost blood flow and aid in hair growth. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps clear out buildup and allows solutions to be more efficient. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown notable improvements. They work internally to benefit externally by addressing hormonal imbalances, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

For people looking for something more advanced, blood-derived therapies – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be beneficial. However, I consistently recommend getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than seeking quick fixes.

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A Trichology Expert

Scalp and Hair Scientist and leader in hair health 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 maintain tip integrity, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

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 variety of shades, making it virtually undetectable. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had noticeable thinning – and also presently during 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?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the optimal outcomes. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. 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 low concentration like 2% is insufficient 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 alter thyroid level measurements.

What blunder stands out often?

Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – because the real aim of shampooing your hair is to remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the opposite is true – notably in cases of dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. If oils are left on your scalp, they decompose and cause irritation.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a balancing act. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it won’t be damaging to your strands.

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

For FPHL, your core treatment should be 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 choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. 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 resolve on its own. Alternatively, endocrine issues or nutrient shortages may be the cause – the most common being ferritin (stored iron), vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus