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A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert based in California who specialises in grey hair. His clients include celebrated actors and Andie MacDowell.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

My top pick is a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to remove moisture from your strands. Many are unaware how much damage a typical terrycloth towel can do, notably with lightened or dyed strands. This one small change can really lessen brittleness and splitting. Another inexpensive must-have is a broad-toothed comb, to use during washing. It protects the hair while removing knots and helps maintain the integrity of the strands, particularly post-bleaching.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – featuring innovative technology, with precise heat settings. Silver and light-coloured hair 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 reality is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients melt their hair, break it off or end up with bands of colour that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I also don’t recommend long-term smoothing services on color-treated or grey hair. These chemical systems are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause chronic issues or color changes.

Which typical blunder stands out?

People using the wrong products for their particular strand characteristics. A number of people misuse toning shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks lifeless and muted. A few overdo on strengthening conditioners and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. A further common mistake is heat styling without protection. In cases where you employ 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?

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. My advice includes scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to enhance nutrient delivery and promote root strength. 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 enhance overall health for hair benefits by correcting endocrine issues, stress and nutritional deficiencies.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, PRP therapy – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be successful. Still, my advice is to consulting a skin or hair specialist initially. 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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Anabel Kingsley

Scalp and Hair Scientist and head of a renowned clinic clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will remove split ends personally fortnightly to maintain tip integrity, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Toppik hair fibres are remarkably effective if you have thinning spots. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it virtually undetectable. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had noticeable thinning – and also currently as I’m going through some significant shedding after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.

What justifies a higher investment?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions 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 popular remedy is ineffective?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It doesn’t work. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A mild formula such as 2% is inadequate 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 using it may not benefit your strands, 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 remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the reverse is correct – notably in cases of dandruff, which is intensified by sebum accumulation. If oils are left on your scalp, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, 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.

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. 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 collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

In shedding cases, root cause analysis is crucial. 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 clear up naturally. 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