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A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert located in California who excels at silver hair. He works with celebrated actors and renowned personalities.

What affordable item can't you live without?

My top pick is a soft fabric towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to dry your hair. Many are unaware how much stress a typical terrycloth towel can do, particularly for silver or chemically treated hair. A simple switch can really lessen brittleness and splitting. Another inexpensive must-have is a broad-toothed comb, to use in the shower. It protects the hair while detangling and helps maintain the integrity of the hair shafts, particularly post-bleaching.

Which investment truly pays off?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – made with advanced materials, with smart temperature control. Grey and blonde 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 actual fact is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people cause irreversible harm, snap their strands or end up with striped effects that are extremely difficult to fix. I would also avoid long-term smoothing services on color-treated or grey hair. These chemical systems are often overly harsh for delicate locks and can cause chronic issues or color changes.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their particular strand characteristics. Some overuse toning shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks flat and dull. A few overdo on protein-rich treatments and end up with rigid, fragile strands. Another significant problem is using hot tools sans safeguard. When applying styling appliances without a heat protectant, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

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

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I also recommend follicle treatments containing stimulants to stimulate circulation and promote root strength. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps eliminate impurities and allows products to perform better. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown positive outcomes. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by balancing body chemistry, stress and lack of vital nutrients.

In cases requiring advanced options, PRP therapy – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be successful. That said, I always suggest consulting a skin or hair specialist initially. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to get to the root cause rather than seeking quick fixes.

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A Trichology Expert

Scalp and Hair Scientist and head of a renowned clinic services and items for shedding.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

My trims are every couple of months, but will snip damaged ends myself bi-weekly to maintain tip integrity, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Toppik hair fibres are truly impressive if you have see-through sections. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it almost invisible. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had noticeable thinning – and also presently during some considerable hair loss after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, it’s the earliest indicator of health issues 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 over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the most effective improvements. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – 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 male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

Which error is most frequent?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the main goal of cleansing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the reverse is correct – particularly with flaky scalp, which is intensified by sebum accumulation. If natural oils stay on the head, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a careful compromise. 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 genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. It's backed by strong research and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. 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 PRP or low-level laser therapy.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will resolve on its own. 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