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A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert operating from the Golden State who excels at grey hair. His clients include Hollywood stars and Andie MacDowell.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I highly recommend a gentle drying cloth, or even a gentle tee to dry your hair. Most people don’t realise how much damage a regular bath towel can do, notably with grey or color-processed hair. This one small change can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another inexpensive must-have is a wide-tooth comb, to use during washing. It protects the hair while detangling and helps maintain the integrity of the hair shafts, notably following coloring.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A top-tier thermal appliance – featuring innovative technology, with smart temperature control. Grey and blonde hair can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the truth is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients cause irreversible harm, experience breakage or end up with bands of colour that are nearly impossible to correct. It's best to steer clear of keratin or permanent straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair. Such treatments are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause long-term damage or color changes.

Which typical blunder stands out?

People using the wrong products for their particular strand characteristics. Some overuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their lightened locks looks flat and dull. A few overdo on high-protein masks and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. The other major issue is using hot tools sans safeguard. When applying styling appliances without a protective product, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

What would you suggest for thinning hair?

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. I also recommend follicle treatments containing stimulants to boost blood flow and support follicle health. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps eliminate impurities and allows solutions to be more efficient. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They work internally to benefit externally by correcting endocrine issues, tension and dietary insufficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, PRP therapy – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be effective. However, I consistently recommend seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to identify the source rather than chasing surface-level fixes.

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A Trichology Expert

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

What’s your routine for trims and color?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will remove split ends personally bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have color touches every two months.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Hair-thickening particles are absolutely amazing if you have areas of scalp visibility. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it seamlessly blended. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had significant shedding – and also currently as I’m going through some considerable hair loss after having awful flu a few months ago. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the initial area to show decline when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a well-rounded, nutrient-rich 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. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – 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 low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – 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 bad for their hair, when in fact the reverse is correct – especially if you have dandruff, which is intensified by sebum accumulation. If natural oils stay on the head, they break down and become inflammatory.

Unfortunately, what your scalp needs and what your hair likes don’t always align, so it’s a balancing act. 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?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It's backed by strong research 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.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will improve spontaneously. Sometimes, hormonal problems or dietary gaps are responsible – 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