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An Expert Colorist

Colourist located in California who specialises in platinum tones. His clients include Hollywood stars and well-known figures.

What affordable item can't you live without?

I swear by a microfibre towel, or even a gentle tee to remove moisture from your strands. It's often overlooked how much damage a typical terrycloth towel can do, notably with silver or chemically treated hair. This minor adjustment can really lessen brittleness and splitting. Another inexpensive must-have is a broad-toothed comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while smoothing out tangles and helps preserve the strength of the strands, particularly post-bleaching.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – featuring innovative technology, with adjustable temperature options. Grey and blonde hair can yellow or burn easily without the correct device.

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 biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people severely damage their locks, snap their strands or end up with uneven tones that are extremely difficult to fix. I would also avoid keratin or permanent straightening treatments on pre-lightened strands. These formulations are often excessively strong for already fragile strands and can cause lasting harm or discoloration.

What’s the most common mistake you see in your salon?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their hair type or colour. A number of people misuse toning shampoo until their lightened locks looks flat and dull. A few overdo on high-protein masks and end up with rigid, fragile strands. Another significant problem is using hot tools sans safeguard. In cases where you employ hot tools or dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

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 promote root strength. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps remove residue and allows solutions to be more efficient. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown great results. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by correcting endocrine issues, tension and lack of vital nutrients.

For people looking for something more advanced, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be effective. 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 pursuing temporary solutions.

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Anabel Kingsley

Trichologist and head of a renowned clinic centers and lines targeting thinning.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

My trims are every couple of months, but will trim off splits at home fortnightly to preserve strand health, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

What affordable find is essential?

Hair-thickening particles are absolutely amazing if you have see-through sections. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it seamlessly blended. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had a lot of hair fall – and also currently as I’m going through some significant shedding after having a severe illness recently. Since hair is non-vital, it’s the initial area to show decline when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the best results. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It shows no real benefit. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of 2% minoxidil to rosemary oil. A mild formula such as 2% is inadequate to do much for male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Also, high-dose 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.

Which error is most frequent?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – 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 harmful to their strands, when in fact the reverse is correct – especially if you have dandruff, which is aggravated by oil buildup. When sebum remains on the skin, they break down and become inflammatory.

Unfortunately, what your scalp needs and what your hair likes don’t always align, so it’s a balancing act. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it shouldn't harm your hair.

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

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. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will resolve on its own. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – 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