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An Expert Colorist

Hair Color Expert located in the Golden State who excels at grey hair. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and well-known figures.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I highly recommend a microfibre towel, or even a smooth cotton shirt to towel-dry your locks. It's often overlooked how much damage a regular bath towel can do, notably with silver or chemically treated hair. This minor adjustment can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another affordable staple is a wide-tooth comb, to use during washing. It safeguards your strands while smoothing out tangles and helps maintain the integrity of the individual hairs, notably following coloring.

Which investment truly pays off?

A high-quality styling iron – ceramic or tourmaline, with precise heat settings. Silver and light-coloured hair can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the proper tool.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

At-home lightening. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the actual fact is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people cause irreversible harm, break it off or end up with striped effects that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I would also avoid chemical straightening processes on pre-lightened strands. These chemical systems are often overly harsh for weakened hair and can cause long-term damage or discoloration.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their specific hair needs. A number of people misuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their lightened locks looks flat and dull. Others rely too much on protein-rich treatments and end up with stiff, brittle hair. A further common mistake is thermal styling minus a barrier. In cases where you employ flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a protective product, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

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

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I also recommend scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to stimulate circulation and aid in hair growth. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps remove residue and allows products to perform better. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown great results. They support the body from the inside out by addressing hormonal imbalances, stress and dietary insufficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a personalized serum is applied – can be successful. Still, my advice is to seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to identify the source rather than chasing surface-level fixes.

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A Trichology Expert

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

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will snip damaged ends myself bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have color touches every two months.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Toppik hair fibres are truly impressive if you have see-through sections. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it virtually undetectable. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had a lot of hair fall – and also now while experiencing some significant shedding after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, it’s the earliest indicator of health issues when your nutrition is inadequate, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

What justifies a higher investment?

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. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. 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 mild formula such as 2% is inadequate to do much for hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the main goal of cleansing 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 intensified by sebum accumulation. When sebum remains on the skin, they decompose and cause irritation.

Unfortunately, what your scalp needs and what your hair likes don’t always align, 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 be most effective combined with additional ingredients. If you're interested in complementary therapies, or you prefer not to use it or are unable, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will improve spontaneously. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – the most common being ferritin (stored iron), vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus