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Jack Martin

Styling Professional based in the West Coast who excels at silver hair. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and renowned personalities.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I highly recommend a soft fabric towel, or even a gentle tee to towel-dry your locks. Most people don’t realise how much stress a typical terrycloth towel can do, particularly for 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 protects the hair while detangling and helps keep the health of the individual hairs, especially after lightening.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A high-quality styling iron – featuring innovative technology, with precise heat settings. Silver and light-coloured hair 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 truth is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people severely damage their locks, experience breakage or end up with bands of colour that are nearly impossible to correct. It's best to steer clear of chemical straightening processes on pre-lightened strands. These formulations are often too aggressive for delicate locks and can cause long-term damage or color changes.

Which typical blunder stands out?

People using the wrong products for their specific hair needs. A number of people misuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks lifeless and muted. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. The other major issue is using hot tools sans safeguard. If you’re using styling appliances without a defensive spray or cream, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

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

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I often suggest follicle treatments containing stimulants to enhance nutrient delivery and aid in hair growth. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps remove residue and allows products to perform better. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown great results. They work internally to benefit externally by correcting endocrine issues, tension and dietary insufficiencies.

For people looking for something more advanced, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be successful. That said, I always suggest getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to identify the source rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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Anabel Kingsley

Follicle Expert and head of a renowned clinic clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

My trims are every couple of months, but will remove split ends personally bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have color touches every two months.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Hair-thickening particles are truly impressive if you have areas of scalp visibility. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it almost invisible. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had significant shedding – and also currently as I’m going through some significant shedding after having a severe illness recently. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the initial area to show decline when your intake is insufficient, 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. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need medicated treatment to see the best results. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It's ineffective. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of 2% minoxidil to rosemary oil. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can affect thyroid test results.

Which error is most frequent?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the main goal of cleansing is to remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the contrary is accurate – particularly with flaky scalp, which is aggravated by oil buildup. When sebum remains on the skin, they decompose and cause irritation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a balancing act. However, if you cleanse softly and treat damp strands kindly, it is unlikely to cause damage.

Which options help with shedding?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. It's backed by strong research and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you prefer not to use it or are unable, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

In shedding cases, root cause analysis is crucial. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will improve spontaneously. 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