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An Expert Colorist

Hair Color Expert located in California who focuses on platinum tones. Among his clientele are celebrated actors and well-known figures.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I highly recommend a microfibre towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to towel-dry your locks. It's often overlooked how much harm a typical terrycloth towel can do, especially to grey or color-processed hair. This one small change can really lessen brittleness and splitting. A second budget-friendly essential is a wide-tooth comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while removing knots and helps preserve the strength of the individual hairs, particularly post-bleaching.

Which investment truly pays off?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – ceramic or tourmaline, with precise heat settings. Lightened strands can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the correct device.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Online tutorials can be misleading, 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, snap their strands or end up with uneven tones that are nearly impossible to correct. I also don’t recommend chemical straightening processes on color-treated or grey hair. These formulations are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause long-term damage or color changes.

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

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their specific hair needs. Certain clients overapply violet-based cleansers until their lightened locks looks drab and lacking shine. Some depend excessively on protein-rich treatments and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. Another significant problem is heat styling without protection. If you’re using styling appliances without a defensive spray or cream, – notably with color-treated strands – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

What would you suggest for thinning hair?

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. My advice includes scalp formulas with active ingredients to stimulate circulation and aid in hair growth. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps eliminate impurities and allows products to perform better. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown notable improvements. They support the body from the inside out by correcting endocrine issues, stress and lack of vital nutrients.

For people looking for something more advanced, blood-derived therapies – where a personalized serum is applied – can be effective. Still, my advice is to seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to identify the source rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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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.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

My trims are every couple of months, but will snip damaged ends myself bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

What affordable find is essential?

Toppik hair fibres are remarkably effective if you have thinning spots. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had noticeable thinning – and also presently during some marked thinning after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.

What justifies a higher investment?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. 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 best results. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – 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 a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the main goal of cleansing 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 reverse is correct – particularly with flaky scalp, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If natural oils stay on the head, they decompose and cause irritation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a careful compromise. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it won’t be damaging to your strands.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. If you're interested in complementary therapies, 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.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – 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