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An Expert Colorist

Styling Professional located in the Golden State who specialises in platinum tones. He works with Jane Fonda and well-known figures.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I swear by a gentle drying cloth, or even a gentle tee to towel-dry your locks. Most people don’t realise how much harm a typical terrycloth towel can do, notably with silver or chemically treated hair. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another affordable staple is a wide-tooth comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while detangling and helps preserve the strength of the hair shafts, notably following coloring.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – made with advanced materials, with smart temperature control. Silver and light-coloured hair can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Social media makes it look easy, but the reality is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals melt their hair, break it off or end up with uneven tones that are nearly impossible to correct. I also don’t recommend chemical straightening processes on bleached or silver hair. These chemical systems are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause lasting harm or color changes.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their specific hair needs. Some overuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks drab and lacking shine. A few overdo on strengthening conditioners and end up with rigid, fragile strands. The other major issue is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using styling appliances without a heat protectant, – 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 also recommend scalp formulas with active ingredients to enhance nutrient delivery and promote root strength. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps remove residue and allows products to perform better. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown notable improvements. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by balancing body chemistry, stress and lack of vital nutrients.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a personalized serum is applied – can be successful. However, I consistently recommend getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, 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 services and items for shedding.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

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

What affordable find is essential?

Building fibers are truly impressive if you have see-through sections. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it seamlessly blended. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – and also currently as I’m going through some marked thinning 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 intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the optimal outcomes. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It doesn’t work. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. 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.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Rarely do people lack biotin, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

Which error is most frequent?

Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – 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 reverse is correct – notably in cases of dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. 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 balancing act. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it is unlikely to cause damage.

Which options help with shedding?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It's backed by strong research 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 choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate 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 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