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An Expert Colorist

Styling Professional operating from the Golden State who specialises in platinum tones. His clients include celebrated actors and renowned personalities.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I highly recommend a soft fabric towel, or even a smooth cotton shirt to dry your hair. It's often overlooked how much stress a standard towel can do, particularly for grey or color-processed hair. This minor adjustment can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another inexpensive must-have is a wide-tooth comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while detangling and helps maintain the integrity of the strands, particularly post-bleaching.

Which investment truly pays off?

A top-tier thermal appliance – ceramic or tourmaline, with smart temperature control. Lightened strands 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 biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients melt their hair, snap their strands or end up with uneven tones that are nearly impossible to correct. It's best to steer clear of chemical straightening processes on bleached or silver hair. These formulations are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause chronic issues or color changes.

What frequent error do you observe?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their specific hair needs. Some overuse toning shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks drab and lacking shine. A few overdo on protein-rich treatments and end up with stiff, brittle hair. The other major issue is heat styling without protection. In cases where you employ hot tools or dryers without a heat protectant, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I often suggest follicle treatments containing stimulants to stimulate circulation and aid in hair growth. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps eliminate impurities and allows solutions to be more efficient. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown positive outcomes. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by addressing hormonal imbalances, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, PRP therapy – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be successful. Still, my advice is to 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 chasing surface-level fixes.

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Anabel Kingsley

Scalp and Hair Scientist and leader in hair health centers and lines targeting thinning.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will snip damaged ends myself fortnightly to maintain tip integrity, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Hair-thickening particles are remarkably effective if you have see-through sections. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a range of colors, making it almost invisible. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had noticeable thinning – and also now while experiencing some marked thinning after having a severe illness recently. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the initial area to show decline when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

What justifies a higher investment?

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 retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need medicated treatment to see the best results. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It shows no real benefit. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A mild formula such as 2% is inadequate to do much for male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Also, high-dose biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

What blunder stands out often?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the primary purpose of washing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. Many individuals refrain from cleansing as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the reverse is correct – notably in cases of dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. When sebum remains on the skin, they break down and become inflammatory.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. However, if you cleanse softly and treat damp strands kindly, it is unlikely to cause damage.

Which options help with shedding?

For FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. Scientific support is substantial and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. If you're interested in complementary therapies, or you simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – and it will clear up naturally. Alternatively, endocrine issues or nutrient shortages may be the cause – 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