🔗 Share this article

Jack Martin

Styling Professional operating from the Golden State who excels at silver hair. He works with Hollywood stars and well-known figures.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I swear by a gentle drying cloth, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to dry your hair. Many are unaware how much harm a standard towel can do, notably with silver or chemically treated hair. This minor adjustment can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another inexpensive must-have is a wide-tooth comb, to use in the shower. It safeguards your strands while detangling and helps preserve the strength of the strands, especially after lightening.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A top-tier thermal appliance – ceramic or tourmaline, with precise heat settings. Silver and light-coloured hair can yellow or burn easily without the correct device.

What style or process should you always avoid?

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 seen people severely damage their locks, experience breakage or end up with striped effects that are incredibly challenging to remedy. It's best to steer clear of keratin or permanent straightening treatments on pre-lightened strands. Such treatments are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause chronic issues or discoloration.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their particular strand characteristics. A number of people misuse violet-based cleansers until their silver or blond hair looks lifeless and muted. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. A further common mistake is heat styling without protection. If you’re using styling appliances without a defensive spray or cream, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. I also recommend scalp formulas with active ingredients to stimulate circulation and promote root strength. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps clear out buildup and allows products to perform better. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown notable improvements. They support the body from the inside out by balancing body chemistry, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

In cases requiring advanced options, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be effective. That said, I always suggest seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to identify the source rather than seeking quick fixes.

---

A Trichology Expert

Follicle Expert and brand president of Philip Kingsley centers and lines targeting thinning.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will remove split ends personally every two weeks to preserve strand health, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Toppik hair fibres are truly impressive if you have thinning spots. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, 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 awful flu a few months ago. Because locks are secondary, it’s the initial area to show decline when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say medicated treatments. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the optimal outcomes. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It's ineffective. 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 genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the real aim of shampooing your hair is to remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the opposite is true – especially if you have dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. When sebum remains on the skin, they break down and become inflammatory.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a balancing act. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it is unlikely to cause damage.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. Scientific support is substantial and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. If you're interested in complementary therapies, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will clear up naturally. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – 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