🔗 Share this article

An Expert Colorist

Styling Professional located in the Golden State who excels at silver hair. He works with Jane Fonda and well-known figures.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

My top pick is a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to remove moisture from your strands. It's often overlooked how much stress a regular bath towel can do, notably with silver or chemically treated hair. A simple switch can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another affordable staple is a large-gap comb, to use during washing. It protects the hair while smoothing out tangles and helps preserve the strength of the individual hairs, particularly post-bleaching.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – made with advanced materials, with precise heat settings. Grey and blonde hair can yellow or burn easily without the correct device.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

At-home lightening. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the reality is it’s one of the riskiest things you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people cause irreversible harm, snap their strands or end up with bands of colour that are extremely difficult to fix. I would also avoid chemical straightening processes on color-treated or grey hair. These formulations are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause chronic issues or discoloration.

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

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their particular strand characteristics. Some overuse toning shampoo until their lightened locks looks flat and dull. Some depend excessively on high-protein masks and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. A further common mistake is thermal styling minus a barrier. When applying hot tools or dryers without a heat protectant, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. My advice includes follicle treatments containing stimulants to enhance nutrient delivery and aid in hair growth. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps remove residue and allows treatments to work more effectively. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown notable improvements. They work internally to benefit externally by correcting endocrine issues, tension and lack of vital nutrients.

In cases requiring advanced options, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be successful. 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 determine the origin rather than seeking quick fixes.

---

Anabel Kingsley

Scalp and Hair Scientist 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 fortnightly to maintain tip integrity, 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. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had noticeable thinning – and also presently during some considerable hair loss after having a severe illness recently. Since hair is non-vital, 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?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say medicated treatments. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need medicated treatment to see the most effective improvements. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – 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 shows no real benefit. The whole thing stems from one small study done in 2015 that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with 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.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

What blunder stands out often?

Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – because the main goal of cleansing is to clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s damaging to their locks, when in fact the opposite is true – notably in cases of dandruff, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If oils are left on your scalp, they break down and become inflammatory.

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 shouldn't harm your hair.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. It's backed by strong research and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), 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 clear up naturally. Sometimes, hormonal problems or dietary gaps are responsible – 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