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Jack Martin

Colourist located in the Golden State who specialises in silver hair. He works with celebrated actors and Andie MacDowell.

What affordable item can't you live without?

I highly recommend a gentle drying cloth, or even a gentle tee to dry your hair. It's often overlooked how much harm a standard towel can do, especially to grey or color-processed hair. A simple switch can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another affordable staple is a wide-tooth comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while smoothing out tangles and helps preserve the strength of the hair shafts, notably following coloring.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A high-quality styling iron – ceramic or tourmaline, with smart temperature control. Lightened strands can develop brassy tones or get damaged 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 riskiest things you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients melt their hair, break it off or end up with striped effects that are nearly impossible to correct. I would also avoid chemical straightening processes on pre-lightened strands. These chemical systems are often excessively strong for weakened hair and can cause long-term damage or color changes.

What frequent error do you observe?

People using the wrong products for their specific hair needs. A number of people misuse 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. Another significant problem is thermal styling minus a barrier. In cases where you employ hot tools or dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – notably with color-treated strands – 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. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I often suggest scalp formulas with active ingredients to stimulate circulation and support follicle health. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps remove residue and allows products to perform better. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown great results. They support the body from the inside out by correcting endocrine issues, tension and nutritional deficiencies.

For people looking for something more advanced, blood-derived therapies – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be effective. However, I consistently recommend seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to get to the root cause rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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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 trim off splits at home every two weeks to keep my ends healthy, and have color touches every two months.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Building fibers are truly impressive if you have thinning spots. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it almost invisible. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had significant shedding – and also presently during some marked thinning after having awful flu a few months ago. Because locks are secondary, it’s the earliest indicator of health issues 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 medicated treatments. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the most effective improvements. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

What should you always skip?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It's ineffective. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of 2% minoxidil to rosemary oil. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Also, high-dose biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can affect thyroid test results.

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. 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. When sebum remains on the skin, they decompose and cause irritation.

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

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It's backed by strong research and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. If you're interested in complementary therapies, or you simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. 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 improve spontaneously. Alternatively, endocrine issues or nutrient shortages may be the cause – 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