Healthy Hair, Today: Professional Hairstylists Share Preferred Choices – Along With Items to Bypass

Jack Martin

Colourist operating from the Golden State who excels at grey hair. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and well-known figures.

What affordable item can't you live without?

I highly recommend a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to remove moisture from your strands. It's often overlooked how much damage a standard towel can do, especially to silver or chemically treated hair. A simple switch can really reduce frizz and breakage. A second budget-friendly essential is a broad-toothed comb, to use during washing. It safeguards your strands while detangling and helps keep the health of the strands, particularly post-bleaching.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A top-tier thermal appliance – ceramic or tourmaline, with precise heat settings. Silver and light-coloured hair can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the correct device.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

DIY bleaching. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the truth is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients cause irreversible harm, break it off or end up with striped effects that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I would also avoid keratin or permanent straightening treatments on color-treated or grey hair. Such treatments are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause long-term damage or discoloration.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their particular strand characteristics. Some overuse toning shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks flat and dull. Some depend excessively on high-protein masks and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. The other major issue is thermal styling minus a barrier. When applying styling appliances without a defensive spray or cream, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. I often suggest scalp formulas with active ingredients to stimulate circulation and aid in hair growth. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps clear out buildup and allows solutions to be more efficient. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown positive outcomes. They support the body from the inside out by balancing body chemistry, 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. 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 seeking quick fixes.

A Trichology Expert

Trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will snip damaged ends myself bi-weekly to maintain tip integrity, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

What affordable find is essential?

Toppik hair fibres are remarkably effective if you have areas of scalp visibility. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – and also presently during some significant shedding after having awful flu a few months ago. Because locks are secondary, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say medicated treatments. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need medicated treatment to see the best results. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It shows no real benefit. 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.

Also, high-dose biotin. Rarely do people lack biotin, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can affect thyroid test results.

What blunder stands out often?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the primary purpose of washing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. Many individuals refrain from cleansing 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 oils are left on your scalp, they decompose and cause irritation.

Unfortunately, what your scalp needs and what your hair likes don’t always align, 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 FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. It's backed by strong research and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will improve spontaneously. Alternatively, endocrine issues or nutrient shortages may be the cause – 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