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A Color Specialist

Colourist located in the West Coast who focuses on grey hair. Among his clientele are Hollywood stars 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 remove moisture from your strands. Most people don’t realise how much stress a typical terrycloth towel can do, notably with silver or chemically treated hair. A simple switch can really lessen brittleness and splitting. Another inexpensive must-have is a broad-toothed comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while removing knots and helps preserve the strength of the strands, particularly post-bleaching.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A high-quality styling iron – made with advanced materials, with adjustable temperature options. Lightened strands can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the reality 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 also don’t recommend keratin or permanent straightening treatments on pre-lightened strands. Such treatments are often excessively strong for weakened hair and can cause chronic issues or color changes.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their hair type or colour. A number of people misuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks lifeless and muted. A few overdo on strengthening conditioners and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. The other major issue is using hot tools sans safeguard. If you’re using hot tools or dryers without a heat protectant, – notably with color-treated strands – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

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

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. My advice includes scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to enhance nutrient delivery and aid in hair growth. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps remove residue and allows solutions to be more efficient. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown positive outcomes. They work internally to benefit externally by correcting endocrine issues, tension and lack of vital nutrients.

For people looking for something more advanced, blood-derived therapies – where a personalized serum is applied – can be successful. However, I consistently recommend seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to get to the root cause rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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Anabel Kingsley

Follicle Expert and brand president of Philip Kingsley clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will snip damaged ends myself bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have color touches every two months.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Toppik hair fibres 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. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had a lot of hair fall – and also currently as I’m going through some marked thinning after having a bad infection previously. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say medicated treatments. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, 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 hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

What should you always skip?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It doesn’t work. The whole thing stems from one small study done in 2015 that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, and it can affect thyroid test results.

What blunder stands out often?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the real aim of shampooing your hair is to remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the reverse is correct – particularly with flaky scalp, which is intensified by sebum accumulation. If natural oils stay on the head, they decompose and cause irritation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a balancing act. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it shouldn't harm your hair.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. Scientific support is substantial and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you prefer not to use it or are unable, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – and it will improve spontaneously. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – 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