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An Expert Colorist

Hair Color Expert based in the West Coast who focuses on grey hair. His clients include Hollywood stars and well-known figures.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

My top pick is a soft fabric towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to dry your hair. Most people don’t realise how much damage a typical terrycloth towel can do, especially to silver or chemically treated hair. This one small change can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another affordable staple is a large-gap comb, to use during washing. It shields your locks while detangling and helps preserve the strength of the individual hairs, especially after lightening.

Which investment truly pays off?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – ceramic or tourmaline, with adjustable temperature options. Grey and blonde hair can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Social media makes it look easy, but the actual fact is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals melt their hair, break it off or end up with bands of colour that are nearly impossible to correct. I would also avoid keratin or permanent straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair. These formulations are often excessively strong for delicate locks and can cause lasting harm or discoloration.

What frequent error do you observe?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their particular strand characteristics. Some overuse violet-based cleansers until their blonde or grey strands looks flat and dull. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with rigid, fragile strands. The other major issue is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using hot tools or dryers without a protective product, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

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

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. I also recommend scalp formulas with active ingredients to enhance nutrient delivery and aid in hair growth. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps eliminate impurities and allows solutions to be more efficient. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They work internally to benefit externally by addressing hormonal imbalances, stress and lack of vital nutrients.

In cases requiring advanced options, blood-derived therapies – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be beneficial. That said, I always suggest seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. 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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A Trichology Expert

Trichologist and leader in hair health clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

My trims are every couple of months, but will snip damaged ends myself every two weeks to keep my ends healthy, and have color touches every two months.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Toppik hair fibres are absolutely amazing if you have thinning spots. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, 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 marked thinning after having a severe illness recently. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, 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?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the best results. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It's ineffective. The whole thing stems from one small study done in 2015 that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient 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. Rarely do people lack biotin, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

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 notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s damaging to their locks, when in fact the opposite is true – notably in cases of dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. If oils are left on your scalp, they decompose and cause irritation.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, 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.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. 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.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will clear up naturally. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – 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