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An Expert Colorist

Hair Color Expert operating from the West Coast who excels at silver hair. He works with celebrated actors and Andie MacDowell.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

My top pick is a soft fabric towel, or even a gentle tee to dry your hair. Most people don’t realise how much stress a typical terrycloth towel can do, notably with grey or color-processed hair. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another affordable staple is a large-gap comb, to use while conditioning. It safeguards your strands while detangling and helps maintain the integrity of the individual hairs, notably following coloring.

Which investment truly pays off?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – featuring innovative technology, with smart temperature control. Silver and light-coloured hair can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the right iron.

What style or process should you always avoid?

At-home lightening. Internet videos often simplify it, 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 striped effects that are extremely difficult to fix. I would also avoid long-term smoothing services on pre-lightened strands. These formulations are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause long-term damage or undesired tones.

What frequent error do you observe?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their hair type or colour. A number of people misuse toning shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks flat and dull. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with stiff, brittle hair. Another significant problem is heat styling without protection. In cases where you employ hot tools or dryers without a protective product, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

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

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I also recommend follicle treatments containing stimulants to boost blood flow and aid in hair growth. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps eliminate impurities and allows solutions to be more efficient. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown positive outcomes. They support the body from the inside out by balancing body chemistry, stress and dietary insufficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, PRP therapy – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be successful. However, I consistently recommend getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than chasing surface-level fixes.

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Anabel Kingsley

Trichologist and head of a renowned clinic clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

My trims are every couple of months, but will trim off splits at home bi-weekly to maintain tip integrity, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

What affordable find is essential?

Toppik hair fibres are truly impressive if you have thinning spots. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a range of colors, making it virtually undetectable. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had a lot of hair fall – and also currently as I’m going through some considerable hair loss after having a bad infection previously. Since hair is non-vital, it’s the initial area to show decline when your nutrition is inadequate, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the best results. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It's ineffective. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

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 main goal of cleansing is to clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the opposite is true – particularly with flaky scalp, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If oils are left on your scalp, they decompose and cause irritation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a balancing act. However, if you cleanse softly and treat damp strands kindly, it won’t be damaging to your strands.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

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're interested in complementary therapies, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will resolve on its own. Sometimes, hormonal problems or dietary gaps are responsible – the frequent culprits include iron stores, B12 and D insufficiency – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus