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An Expert Colorist

Colourist operating from the Golden State who specialises in grey hair. Among his clientele are 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. Many are unaware how much stress a typical terrycloth towel can do, especially to lightened or dyed strands. This minor adjustment can really lessen brittleness and splitting. A second budget-friendly essential is a wide-tooth comb, to use during washing. It safeguards your strands while removing knots and helps keep the health of the hair shafts, notably following coloring.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A high-quality styling iron – ceramic or tourmaline, with adjustable temperature options. Silver and light-coloured hair can yellow or burn easily without the right iron.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Self-applied color lifting. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the actual fact is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people cause irreversible harm, break it off or end up with striped effects that are extremely difficult to fix. It's best to steer clear of keratin or permanent straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair. Such treatments are often excessively strong for weakened hair and can cause lasting harm or color changes.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their particular strand characteristics. A number of people misuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks drab and lacking shine. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with stiff, brittle hair. The other major issue is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using hot tools or dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – notably with color-treated strands – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. My advice includes follicle treatments containing stimulants to stimulate circulation and support follicle health. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps clear out buildup and allows solutions to be more efficient. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown great results. They support the body from the inside out by correcting endocrine issues, stress and dietary insufficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, PRP therapy – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be successful. That said, I always suggest getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than seeking quick fixes.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Trichologist and head of a renowned clinic 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 trim off splits at home bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Building fibers are truly impressive if you have see-through sections. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it virtually undetectable. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – and also presently during some considerable hair loss after having awful flu a few months ago. 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 premium option is truly valuable?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say medicated treatments. 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 balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It doesn’t work. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of 2% minoxidil to rosemary oil. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

Also, high-dose biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so using it may not benefit your strands, 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 main goal of cleansing is to clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s damaging to their locks, when in fact the contrary is accurate – notably in cases of dandruff, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If oils are left on your scalp, they decompose and cause irritation.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a careful compromise. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it is unlikely to cause damage.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. Scientific support is substantial and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. 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 platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – and it will resolve on its own. 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