🔗 Share this article

An Expert Colorist

Styling Professional operating from the Golden State who focuses on grey hair. His clients include Jane Fonda and well-known figures.

What affordable item can't you live without?

I highly recommend a soft fabric towel, or even a gentle tee to dry your hair. It's often overlooked how much harm a typical terrycloth towel can do, notably with grey or color-processed hair. This one small change can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another inexpensive must-have is a large-gap comb, to use during washing. It protects the hair while detangling and helps keep the health of the strands, especially after lightening.

Which investment truly pays off?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – featuring innovative technology, with adjustable temperature options. Grey and blonde hair can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the right iron.

What style or process should you always avoid?

DIY bleaching. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the actual fact is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people melt their hair, break it off or end up with striped effects that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I would also avoid long-term smoothing services on color-treated or grey hair. These chemical systems are often too aggressive for delicate locks and can cause lasting harm or discoloration.

What’s the most common mistake you see in your salon?

Clients selecting inappropriate items 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 unmanageable, weak locks. A further common mistake is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I also recommend scalp formulas with active ingredients to boost blood flow and support follicle health. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps eliminate impurities and allows treatments to work more effectively. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown notable improvements. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by correcting endocrine issues, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a personalized serum is applied – can be effective. That said, I always suggest seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than seeking quick fixes.

---

A Trichology Expert

Scalp and Hair Scientist 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 trim off splits at home every two weeks to keep my ends healthy, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Hair-thickening particles are truly impressive if you have see-through sections. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had noticeable thinning – and also currently as I’m going through some marked thinning after having a severe illness recently. Since hair is non-vital, 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 medicated treatments. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need medicated treatment to see the most effective improvements. 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 doesn’t work. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

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’s the most common mistake you see?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – 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 damaging to their locks, when in fact the contrary is accurate – particularly with flaky scalp, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. If natural oils stay on the head, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it shouldn't harm your hair.

Which options help with shedding?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It's backed by strong research and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will improve spontaneously. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – 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