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An Expert Colorist

Colourist located in the West Coast who specialises in grey hair. He works with celebrated actors and well-known figures.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I swear by a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to remove moisture from your strands. Many are unaware how much stress a regular bath towel can do, notably with grey or color-processed hair. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. A second budget-friendly essential is a wide-tooth comb, to use in the shower. It protects the hair while detangling and helps keep the health of the hair shafts, especially after lightening.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – featuring innovative technology, with precise heat settings. Silver and light-coloured hair can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the proper tool.

What style or process should you always avoid?

Self-applied color lifting. Internet videos often simplify it, but the actual fact is it’s one of the riskiest things you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people severely damage their locks, snap their strands or end up with uneven tones that are incredibly challenging to remedy. It's best to steer clear of chemical straightening processes on color-treated or grey hair. Such treatments are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause chronic issues or undesired tones.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their hair type or colour. Certain clients overapply toning shampoo until their lightened locks looks lifeless and muted. Some depend excessively on strengthening conditioners and end up with stiff, brittle hair. A further common mistake is heat styling without protection. If you’re using flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a protective product, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. I often suggest scalp formulas with active ingredients to enhance nutrient delivery and aid in hair growth. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps remove residue and allows treatments to work more effectively. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown positive outcomes. They support the body from the inside out by correcting endocrine issues, anxiety and nutritional deficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, PRP therapy – where a personalized serum is applied – can be effective. That said, I always suggest seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than seeking quick fixes.

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Anabel Kingsley

Follicle Expert and brand president of Philip Kingsley services and items for shedding.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

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

What affordable find is essential?

Hair-thickening particles are remarkably effective if you have areas of scalp visibility. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it seamlessly blended. I used it myself in the postpartum period 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. Because locks are secondary, it’s the initial area to show decline when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.

What justifies a higher investment?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the best results. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

What should you always skip?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It shows no real benefit. The whole thing stems from one small study done in 2015 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. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can affect thyroid test results.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the real aim of shampooing your hair is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. Many individuals refrain from cleansing as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the reverse is correct – notably in cases of dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. If natural oils stay on the head, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a balancing act. However, if you cleanse softly and treat damp strands kindly, it shouldn't harm your hair.

Which options help with shedding?

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 microneedling (see a dermatologist), 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 clear up naturally. 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