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A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert based in the West Coast who focuses on platinum tones. His clients include celebrated actors and well-known figures.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I swear by a microfibre towel, or even a smooth cotton shirt to remove moisture from your strands. Many are unaware how much harm a typical terrycloth towel can do, especially to grey or color-processed hair. This minor adjustment can really lessen brittleness and splitting. Another inexpensive must-have is a large-gap comb, to use in the shower. It shields your locks while detangling and helps preserve the strength of the strands, particularly post-bleaching.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A top-tier thermal appliance – ceramic or tourmaline, with adjustable temperature options. Lightened strands can yellow or burn easily without the proper tool.

What style or process should you always avoid?

Self-applied color lifting. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the truth is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients severely damage their locks, experience breakage or end up with striped effects that are nearly impossible to correct. It's best to steer clear of keratin or permanent straightening treatments on pre-lightened strands. These chemical systems are often overly harsh for weakened hair and can cause lasting harm or color changes.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their specific hair needs. Some overuse violet-based cleansers until their silver or blond hair looks flat and dull. A few overdo on high-protein masks and end up with stiff, brittle hair. A further common mistake is thermal styling minus a barrier. When applying flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

What would you suggest for thinning hair?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. I often suggest scalp formulas with active ingredients to enhance nutrient delivery and promote root strength. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps eliminate impurities and allows products to perform better. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown notable improvements. They support the body from the inside out by addressing hormonal imbalances, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

In cases requiring advanced options, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a personalized serum is applied – can be beneficial. That said, I always suggest seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to identify the source rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Trichologist and leader in hair health services and items for shedding.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will trim off splits at home bi-weekly to keep my ends healthy, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Hair-thickening particles are absolutely amazing if you have thinning spots. 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 initial area to show decline when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the optimal outcomes. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It shows no real benefit. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can affect thyroid test results.

Which error is most frequent?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the primary purpose of washing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the contrary is accurate – particularly with flaky scalp, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If oils are left on your scalp, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a careful compromise. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it is unlikely to cause damage.

Which options help with shedding?

For FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. Scientific support is substantial and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, 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. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – 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