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A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert based in California who focuses on silver hair. Among his clientele are celebrated actors and renowned personalities.

What affordable item can't you live without?

I swear by a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to dry your hair. It's often overlooked how much harm a regular bath towel can do, particularly for grey or color-processed hair. A simple switch can really reduce frizz and breakage. A second budget-friendly essential is a large-gap comb, to use in the shower. It shields your locks while smoothing out tangles and helps keep the health of the strands, notably following coloring.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A high-quality styling iron – made with advanced materials, with adjustable temperature options. Grey and blonde hair can yellow or burn easily without the proper tool.

What style or process should you always avoid?

DIY bleaching. Internet videos often simplify it, but the reality is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients severely damage their locks, break it off or end up with bands of colour that are nearly impossible to correct. I would also avoid chemical straightening processes on bleached or silver hair. These formulations are often excessively strong for weakened hair and can cause long-term damage or discoloration.

Which typical blunder stands out?

People using the wrong products for their hair type or colour. Some overuse toning shampoo until their lightened locks looks lifeless and muted. A few overdo on strengthening conditioners and end up with stiff, brittle hair. Another significant problem is heat styling without protection. If you’re using flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a protective product, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I also recommend follicle treatments containing stimulants to boost blood flow and promote root strength. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps remove residue and allows solutions to be more efficient. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by addressing hormonal imbalances, 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 effective. Still, my advice is to getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to identify the source rather than chasing surface-level fixes.

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Anabel Kingsley

Trichologist 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 snip damaged ends myself every two weeks to maintain tip integrity, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

What affordable find is essential?

Building fibers are absolutely amazing if you have see-through sections. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had noticeable thinning – and also presently during some considerable hair loss after having a severe illness recently. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the initial area to show decline when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), 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 prescription-strength formulas to see the most effective improvements. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

What should you always skip?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It shows no real benefit. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of 2% minoxidil to rosemary oil. A mild formula such as 2% is inadequate to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

Which error is most frequent?

Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – because the real aim of shampooing your hair is to clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. I see people avoiding shampooing 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 natural oils stay on the head, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a balancing act. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it shouldn't harm your hair.

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

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. It's backed by strong research and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will clear up naturally. 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