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An Expert Colorist

Colourist based in the West Coast who excels at silver hair. His clients include Jane Fonda and Andie MacDowell.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I highly recommend a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to remove moisture from your strands. Most people don’t realise how much harm a standard towel can do, especially to grey or color-processed hair. This one small change can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another inexpensive must-have is a large-gap comb, to use in the shower. It shields your locks while detangling and helps preserve the strength of the strands, especially after lightening.

Which investment truly pays off?

A high-quality styling iron – ceramic or tourmaline, 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. Internet videos often simplify it, but the truth is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals severely damage their locks, experience breakage or end up with uneven tones that are extremely difficult to fix. I also don’t recommend keratin or permanent straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair. Such treatments are often too aggressive for delicate locks and can cause chronic issues or color changes.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their particular strand characteristics. A number of people misuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their lightened locks looks flat and dull. A few overdo on protein-rich treatments and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. A further common mistake is thermal styling minus a barrier. In cases where you employ hot tools or dryers without a protective product, – notably with color-treated strands – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

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

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. I also recommend scalp formulas with active ingredients to enhance nutrient delivery and aid in hair growth. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps remove residue and allows treatments to work more effectively. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown positive outcomes. They work internally to benefit externally by correcting endocrine issues, tension and nutritional deficiencies.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, blood-derived therapies – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be effective. That said, I always suggest getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than chasing surface-level fixes.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will remove split ends personally bi-weekly to keep my ends healthy, and have color touches every two months.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Toppik hair fibres are truly impressive if you have thinning spots. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a range of colors, making it seamlessly blended. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had a lot of hair fall – 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 earliest indicator of health issues when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say medicated treatments. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an over-the-counter product 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 endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

What should you always skip?

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 low concentration like 2% is insufficient 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 taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

Which error is most frequent?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the primary purpose of washing is to clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the contrary is accurate – especially if you have dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. If oils are left on your scalp, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a careful compromise. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it shouldn't harm your hair.

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

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. Scientific support is substantial and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. 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 collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

In shedding cases, root cause analysis is crucial. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will clear up naturally. 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