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An Expert Colorist

Hair Color Expert operating from the West Coast who focuses on silver hair. He works with Hollywood stars and renowned personalities.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

My top pick is a microfibre towel, or even a smooth cotton shirt to towel-dry your locks. Most people don’t realise how much damage a standard towel can do, particularly for grey or color-processed hair. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another affordable staple is a broad-toothed comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while removing knots and helps keep the health of the individual hairs, particularly post-bleaching.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – made with advanced materials, with adjustable temperature options. Silver and light-coloured hair can yellow or burn easily without the right iron.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

DIY bleaching. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the actual fact is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients severely damage their locks, experience breakage or end up with striped effects that are nearly impossible to correct. It's best to steer clear of chemical straightening processes on bleached or silver hair. Such treatments are often too aggressive for delicate locks and can cause long-term damage or color changes.

Which typical blunder stands out?

People using the wrong products for their hair type or colour. A number of people misuse violet-based cleansers until their lightened locks looks flat and dull. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with stiff, brittle hair. A further common mistake is using hot tools sans safeguard. When applying styling appliances without a protective product, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. My advice includes scalp formulas with active ingredients to boost blood flow and support follicle health. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps eliminate impurities and allows treatments to work more effectively. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown positive outcomes. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by balancing body chemistry, tension and nutritional deficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, PRP therapy – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be effective. However, I consistently recommend consulting a skin or hair specialist initially. 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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Anabel Kingsley

Trichologist and head of a renowned clinic clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will trim off splits at home fortnightly to preserve strand health, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Toppik hair fibres are remarkably effective if you have thinning spots. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it virtually undetectable. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had significant shedding – and also currently as I’m going through some considerable hair loss after having a severe illness recently. Since hair is non-vital, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an non-prescription item 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 balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

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 genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

Which error is most frequent?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the main goal of cleansing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the reverse is correct – particularly with flaky scalp, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If natural oils stay on the head, they break down and become inflammatory.

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.

Which options help with shedding?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. Scientific support is substantial and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. If you're interested in complementary therapies, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

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 flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – and it will resolve on its own. Sometimes, hormonal problems or dietary gaps are responsible – 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