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A Color Specialist

Styling Professional operating from the Golden State who specialises in 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 gentle tee to remove moisture from your strands. Many are unaware how much damage a regular bath towel can do, notably with lightened or dyed strands. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another affordable staple is a wide-tooth comb, to use while conditioning. It safeguards your strands while detangling and helps keep the health of the hair shafts, notably following coloring.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A top-tier thermal appliance – ceramic or tourmaline, with smart temperature control. Lightened strands can yellow or burn easily without the right iron.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

DIY bleaching. Internet videos often simplify it, but the reality is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals melt their hair, experience breakage or end up with bands of colour that are extremely difficult to fix. I would also avoid keratin or permanent straightening treatments on color-treated or grey hair. These chemical systems are often overly harsh for already fragile strands and can cause chronic issues or discoloration.

Which typical blunder stands out?

People using the wrong products for their hair type or colour. Certain clients overapply violet-based cleansers until their silver or blond hair looks flat and dull. A few overdo on protein-rich treatments 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 scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to enhance nutrient delivery and promote root strength. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps eliminate impurities and allows treatments to work more effectively. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown great results. They support the body from the inside out by balancing body chemistry, tension and lack of vital nutrients.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be effective. However, I consistently recommend seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to identify the source rather than seeking quick fixes.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Scalp and Hair Scientist and leader in hair health clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

My trims are every couple of months, but will snip damaged ends myself bi-weekly to maintain tip integrity, and have color touches every two months.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Building fibers are truly impressive if you have areas of scalp visibility. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it seamlessly blended. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – and also presently during some marked thinning after having awful flu a few months ago. Since hair is non-vital, it’s the earliest indicator of health issues when your nutrition is inadequate, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the best results. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – 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 mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Also, high-dose biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the primary purpose of washing is to clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. Many individuals refrain from cleansing as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the contrary is accurate – particularly with flaky scalp, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. When sebum remains on the skin, they break down and become inflammatory.

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 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 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 microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

In shedding cases, root cause analysis is crucial. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will improve spontaneously. 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