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A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert operating from the West Coast who excels at grey hair. He works with Jane Fonda and Andie MacDowell.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I highly recommend a microfibre towel, or even a smooth cotton shirt to towel-dry your locks. Many are unaware how much harm a regular bath towel can do, particularly for lightened or dyed strands. A simple switch can really lessen brittleness and splitting. Another inexpensive must-have is a wide-tooth comb, to use in the shower. It shields your locks while detangling and helps maintain the integrity of the individual hairs, notably following coloring.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – featuring innovative technology, with smart temperature control. Grey and blonde hair can yellow or burn easily without the right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

At-home lightening. 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 severely damage their locks, snap their strands or end up with striped effects that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I also don’t recommend chemical straightening processes on pre-lightened strands. These formulations are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause long-term damage or undesired tones.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their hair type or colour. Certain clients overapply violet-based cleansers until their lightened locks looks flat and dull. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. A further common mistake is using hot tools sans safeguard. When applying flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a protective product, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

What would you suggest for thinning hair?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. I also recommend follicle treatments containing stimulants to enhance nutrient delivery and aid in hair growth. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps remove residue and allows solutions to be more efficient. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by addressing hormonal imbalances, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, blood-derived therapies – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be successful. However, I consistently recommend seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, 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 leader in hair health services and items for shedding.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will remove split ends personally fortnightly to maintain tip integrity, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

What affordable find is essential?

Toppik hair fibres are truly impressive if you have areas of scalp visibility. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had noticeable thinning – and also currently as I’m going through some marked thinning after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, it’s the initial area to show decline when your diet is lacking, 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 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 medicated treatment to see the best results. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

What should you always skip?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It's ineffective. 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. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

What blunder stands out often?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the main goal of cleansing is to remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s damaging to their locks, when in fact the reverse is correct – particularly with flaky scalp, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. If natural oils stay on the head, they decompose and cause irritation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it won’t be damaging to your strands.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. It has the most robust evidence behind it 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 prefer not to use it or are unable, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – and it will improve spontaneously. Sometimes, hormonal problems or dietary gaps are responsible – the most common being ferritin (stored iron), vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus