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A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert operating from the West Coast who focuses on platinum tones. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and well-known figures.

What affordable item can't you live without?

I highly recommend a microfibre towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to dry your hair. Most people don’t realise how much stress a standard towel can do, especially to grey or color-processed hair. This one small change can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another inexpensive must-have is a broad-toothed comb, to use while conditioning. It protects the hair while smoothing out tangles and helps keep the health of the strands, notably following coloring.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A top-tier thermal appliance – made with advanced materials, with adjustable temperature options. Lightened strands can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the correct device.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Internet videos often simplify it, but the reality is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients melt their hair, experience breakage or end up with uneven tones that are nearly impossible to correct. I also don’t recommend keratin or permanent straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair. Such treatments are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause long-term damage or undesired tones.

What frequent error do you observe?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their particular strand characteristics. Certain clients overapply violet-based cleansers until their blonde or grey strands looks drab and lacking shine. A few overdo on protein-rich treatments and end up with stiff, brittle hair. The other major issue is using hot tools sans safeguard. When applying flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a heat protectant, – notably with color-treated strands – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. My advice includes follicle treatments containing stimulants to stimulate circulation and aid in hair growth. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps clear out buildup and allows solutions to be more efficient. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown positive outcomes. They support the body from the inside out by addressing hormonal imbalances, tension and nutritional deficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, PRP therapy – where a personalized serum is applied – can be successful. Still, my advice is to consulting a skin or hair specialist initially. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to identify the source rather than chasing surface-level 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?

My trims are every couple of months, but will remove split ends personally bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Hair-thickening particles are remarkably effective 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 currently as I’m going through some considerable hair loss after having awful flu a few months ago. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

What justifies a higher investment?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say medicated treatments. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an over-the-counter product 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 hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It shows no real benefit. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

What blunder stands out often?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the primary purpose of washing is to remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. Many individuals refrain from cleansing as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the opposite is true – particularly with flaky scalp, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. If natural oils stay on the head, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, 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?

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 then want to try other things to support minoxidil’s effect, or you prefer not to use it or are unable, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will resolve on its own. 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