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An Expert Colorist

Styling Professional based in the West Coast who specialises in platinum tones. His clients include celebrated actors and Andie MacDowell.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

My top pick is a microfibre towel, or even a gentle tee to towel-dry your locks. Most people don’t realise how much stress a typical terrycloth towel can do, notably with lightened or dyed strands. This one small change can really lessen brittleness and splitting. A second budget-friendly essential is a broad-toothed comb, to use while conditioning. It protects the hair while removing knots and helps keep the health of the hair shafts, especially after lightening.

Which investment truly pays off?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – featuring innovative technology, with smart temperature control. Silver and light-coloured hair can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the proper tool.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

At-home lightening. Internet videos often simplify it, but the reality is it’s one of the riskiest things you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals severely damage their locks, snap their strands or end up with bands of colour that are extremely difficult to fix. It's best to steer clear of keratin or permanent straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair. These formulations are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause chronic issues or color changes.

What frequent error do you observe?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their particular strand characteristics. Some overuse toning shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks lifeless and muted. A few overdo on strengthening conditioners and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. The other major issue is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using hot tools or dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. I often suggest scalp formulas with active ingredients to boost blood flow and support follicle health. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps remove residue and allows treatments to work more effectively. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown notable improvements. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by balancing body chemistry, tension and nutritional deficiencies.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be successful. That said, I always suggest getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to identify the source rather than seeking quick fixes.

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Anabel Kingsley

Trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley centers and lines targeting thinning.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will remove split ends personally fortnightly to maintain tip integrity, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Toppik hair fibres are absolutely amazing if you have thinning spots. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it seamlessly blended. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had a lot of hair fall – and also now while experiencing some significant shedding after having awful flu a few months ago. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the earliest indicator of health issues when your intake is insufficient, 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 non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the best results. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

What should you always skip?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It doesn’t work. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough 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 using it may not benefit your strands, 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 main goal of cleansing is to remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. 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.

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.

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

For FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. It's backed by strong research and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. If you then want to try other things to support minoxidil’s effect, or you simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. 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 clear up naturally. 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