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A Color Specialist

Styling Professional operating from California who focuses on platinum tones. His clients include Jane Fonda and renowned personalities.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I swear by a soft fabric towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to dry your hair. It's often overlooked how much damage a regular bath towel can do, notably with grey or color-processed hair. This one small change can really lessen brittleness and splitting. Another inexpensive must-have is a large-gap comb, to use in the shower. It shields your locks while detangling and helps keep the health of the strands, particularly post-bleaching.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A high-quality styling iron – ceramic or tourmaline, with adjustable temperature options. Lightened strands can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the correct device.

What style or process should you always avoid?

At-home lightening. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the reality is it’s one of the riskiest things you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals cause irreversible harm, break it off or end up with striped effects that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I would also avoid keratin or permanent straightening treatments on color-treated or grey hair. Such treatments are often excessively strong for weakened hair and can cause chronic issues or color changes.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their specific hair needs. A number of people misuse toning shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks drab and lacking shine. A few overdo on high-protein masks and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. The other major issue is thermal styling minus a barrier. In cases where you employ hot tools or dryers without a protective product, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

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

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. My advice includes scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to boost blood flow and promote root strength. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps remove residue and allows solutions to be more efficient. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They work internally to benefit externally by correcting endocrine issues, tension and dietary insufficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, blood-derived therapies – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be effective. However, I consistently recommend getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to identify the source rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Trichologist and leader in hair health centers and lines targeting thinning.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will trim off splits at home every two weeks to keep my ends healthy, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Toppik hair fibres are remarkably effective if you have areas of scalp visibility. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it virtually undetectable. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had significant shedding – and also presently during some significant shedding after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, it’s the initial area to show decline when your diet is lacking, 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 medicated treatments. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need medicated treatment to see the optimal outcomes. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

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 male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Rarely do people lack biotin, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can affect thyroid test results.

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 rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. Many individuals refrain from cleansing as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the contrary is accurate – particularly with flaky scalp, which is intensified by sebum accumulation. If natural oils stay on the head, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a balancing act. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it is unlikely to cause damage.

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

For genetic thinning in women, start with 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 micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

In shedding cases, root cause analysis is crucial. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will resolve on its own. Alternatively, endocrine issues or nutrient shortages may be the cause – 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