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Jack Martin

Colourist operating from the West Coast who specialises in silver hair. He works with celebrated actors and Andie MacDowell.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I highly recommend a soft fabric towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to towel-dry your locks. Many are unaware how much damage a standard towel can do, particularly for lightened or dyed strands. A simple switch can really lessen brittleness and splitting. A second budget-friendly essential is a large-gap comb, to use in the shower. It protects the hair while detangling and helps maintain the integrity of the individual hairs, notably following coloring.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A high-quality styling iron – made with advanced materials, with smart temperature control. Grey and blonde hair can yellow or burn easily without the proper tool.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Self-applied color lifting. Social media makes it look easy, but the actual fact is it’s one of the riskiest things you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals melt their hair, experience breakage or end up with striped effects that are extremely difficult to fix. I would also avoid keratin or permanent straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair. These formulations are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause lasting harm or color changes.

What’s the most common mistake you see in your salon?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their hair type or colour. Some overuse toning shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks drab and lacking shine. Others rely too much on protein-rich treatments and end up with rigid, fragile strands. A further common mistake is heat styling without protection. In cases where you employ hot tools or dryers without a protective product, – 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. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. I often suggest scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to stimulate circulation and support follicle health. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps clear out buildup and allows products to perform better. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by correcting endocrine issues, stress and nutritional deficiencies.

For people looking for something more advanced, blood-derived therapies – where a personalized serum is applied – can be effective. However, I consistently recommend getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to identify the source rather than seeking quick fixes.

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Anabel Kingsley

Follicle Expert and brand president of Philip Kingsley services and items for shedding.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

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

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Toppik hair fibres are absolutely amazing if you have see-through sections. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it virtually undetectable. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had a lot of hair fall – and also presently during some considerable hair loss 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 healthy, varied eating plan.

What justifies a higher investment?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say medicated treatments. 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 best results. 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?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It doesn’t work. The whole thing stems from one small study done in 2015 that compared the effects of 2% minoxidil to rosemary oil. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Also, high-dose biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

Which error is most frequent?

Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – because the real aim of shampooing your hair 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 – particularly with flaky scalp, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If oils are left on your scalp, they break down and become inflammatory.

Unfortunately, what your scalp needs and what your hair likes don’t always align, so it’s a careful compromise. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it shouldn't harm your hair.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. Scientific support is substantial and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. If you then want to try other things to support minoxidil’s effect, or you simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

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 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