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An Expert Colorist

Styling Professional based in the West Coast who specialises in grey hair. He works with Jane Fonda and renowned personalities.

What affordable item can't you live without?

I highly recommend a gentle drying cloth, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to dry your hair. It's often overlooked how much harm a standard towel can do, notably with silver or chemically treated hair. This one small change can really lessen brittleness and splitting. Another inexpensive must-have is a broad-toothed comb, to use during washing. It safeguards your strands while detangling and helps keep the health of the strands, particularly post-bleaching.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

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 right iron.

What style or process should you always avoid?

DIY bleaching. 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 witnessed clients melt their hair, break it off or end up with striped effects that are extremely difficult to fix. I would also avoid chemical straightening processes on pre-lightened strands. These formulations are often excessively strong for delicate locks and can cause lasting harm 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 drab and lacking shine. A few overdo on strengthening conditioners and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. The other major issue is using hot tools sans safeguard. When applying flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a protective product, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. I also recommend follicle treatments containing stimulants to stimulate circulation and promote root strength. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps clear out buildup and allows treatments to work more effectively. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown positive outcomes. They work internally to benefit externally by balancing body chemistry, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

For people looking for something more advanced, blood-derived therapies – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be effective. However, I consistently recommend getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to identify the source rather than seeking quick fixes.

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Anabel Kingsley

Follicle Expert and leader in hair health services and items for shedding.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will remove split ends personally fortnightly to maintain tip integrity, and have color touches every two months.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Hair-thickening particles are truly impressive if you have areas of scalp visibility. They attach using static to your strands, 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 now while experiencing some considerable hair loss after having a severe illness recently. 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.

What justifies a higher investment?

For those with genetic thinning in women, 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 clinical interventions to see the optimal outcomes. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It doesn’t work. 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 genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

Also, high-dose biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

What blunder stands out often?

Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – because the primary purpose of washing is to remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the reverse is correct – especially if you have dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. When sebum remains on the skin, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Unfortunately, what your scalp needs and what your hair likes don’t always align, so it’s a careful compromise. However, if you cleanse softly and treat damp strands kindly, it shouldn't harm your hair.

Which options help with shedding?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. If you're interested in complementary therapies, 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.

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 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