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Jack Martin

Colourist based in California who specialises in silver hair. His clients include celebrated actors and well-known figures.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I swear by a gentle drying cloth, or even a gentle tee to remove moisture from your strands. Most people don’t realise how much harm a standard towel can do, particularly for grey or color-processed hair. This one small change can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another inexpensive must-have is a broad-toothed comb, to use during washing. It shields your locks while removing knots and helps keep the health of the individual hairs, notably following coloring.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – featuring innovative technology, with adjustable temperature options. Grey and blonde hair can yellow or burn easily without the right iron.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

At-home lightening. Internet videos often simplify it, but the reality is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people severely damage their locks, break it off or end up with striped effects that are nearly impossible to correct. I also don’t recommend long-term smoothing services on pre-lightened strands. Such treatments are often overly harsh for already fragile strands 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 hair type or colour. Some overuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their lightened locks looks lifeless and muted. Some depend excessively on high-protein masks and end up with stiff, brittle hair. The other major issue is heat styling without protection. When applying hot tools or dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

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

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. I often suggest scalp formulas with active ingredients to enhance nutrient delivery and promote root strength. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps clear out buildup and allows products to perform better. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown great results. They work internally to benefit externally by balancing body chemistry, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

For people looking for something more advanced, PRP therapy – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be beneficial. That said, I always suggest getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than seeking quick fixes.

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Anabel Kingsley

Scalp and Hair Scientist and leader in hair health services and items for shedding.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will trim off splits at home fortnightly to keep my ends healthy, and have color touches every two months.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Hair-thickening particles are remarkably effective if you have see-through sections. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – 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 first part of you to suffer 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 prescription hair-loss topicals. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an non-prescription item 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 endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

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 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.

Also, high-dose 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?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the primary purpose of washing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the reverse is correct – notably in cases of dandruff, which is aggravated by oil buildup. When sebum remains on the skin, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a balancing act. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it won’t be damaging to your strands.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. It's backed by strong research and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. 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 platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – and it will clear up naturally. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – the frequent culprits include iron stores, B12 and D insufficiency – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus