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A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert based in the Golden State who focuses on silver hair. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and well-known figures.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I swear by a microfibre towel, or even a smooth cotton shirt to towel-dry your locks. It's often overlooked how much stress a standard towel can do, especially to silver or chemically treated hair. This one small change can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another affordable staple is a large-gap comb, to use in the shower. It safeguards your strands while removing knots and helps maintain the integrity of the strands, particularly post-bleaching.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A top-tier thermal appliance – featuring innovative technology, with smart temperature control. Grey and blonde hair can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the correct device.

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 most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people severely damage their locks, break it off or end up with uneven tones that are nearly impossible to correct. I also don’t recommend keratin or permanent straightening treatments on color-treated or grey hair. These formulations are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause lasting harm or undesired tones.

Which typical blunder stands out?

People using the wrong products for their specific hair needs. Certain clients overapply violet-based cleansers until their silver or blond hair looks flat and dull. Some depend excessively on strengthening conditioners and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. The other major issue is heat styling without protection. When applying flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a protective product, – notably with color-treated strands – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

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

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. I often suggest scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to stimulate circulation and support follicle health. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps remove residue and allows solutions to be more efficient. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown great results. They support the body from the inside out by balancing body chemistry, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be successful. That said, I always suggest consulting a skin or hair specialist initially. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than seeking quick fixes.

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Anabel Kingsley

Scalp and Hair Scientist and head of a renowned clinic centers and lines targeting thinning.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will snip damaged ends myself fortnightly to keep my ends healthy, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Building fibers are absolutely amazing if you have areas of scalp visibility. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – and also now while experiencing some significant shedding after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, 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 premium option is truly valuable?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the best results. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It shows no real benefit. 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.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

Which error is most frequent?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the main goal of cleansing is to clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the reverse is correct – notably in cases of dandruff, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If oils are left on your scalp, they break down and become inflammatory.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. However, if you cleanse softly and treat damp strands kindly, it won’t be damaging to your strands.

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. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you prefer not to use it or are unable, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will resolve on its own. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – 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