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An Expert Colorist

Hair Color Expert operating from the West Coast who focuses on silver hair. He works with Hollywood stars and well-known figures.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I swear by a microfibre towel, or even a gentle tee to remove moisture from your strands. Many are unaware how much harm a typical terrycloth towel can do, notably with grey or color-processed hair. This one small change can really minimize flyaways and damage. A second budget-friendly essential is a broad-toothed comb, to use during washing. It protects the hair while smoothing out tangles and helps maintain the integrity of the strands, particularly post-bleaching.

Which investment truly pays off?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – made with advanced materials, with precise heat settings. Lightened strands can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the correct device.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

Self-applied color lifting. Internet videos often simplify it, but the truth is it’s one of the riskiest things you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients severely damage their locks, experience breakage or end up with uneven tones that are nearly impossible to correct. I also don’t recommend long-term smoothing services on bleached or silver hair. Such treatments are often excessively strong for weakened hair and can cause chronic issues or discoloration.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their specific hair needs. A number of people misuse violet-based cleansers until their lightened locks looks flat and dull. A few overdo on strengthening conditioners and end up with rigid, fragile strands. A further common mistake is heat styling without protection. When applying hot tools or dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – notably with color-treated strands – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. I often suggest scalp formulas with active ingredients to enhance nutrient delivery and promote root strength. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps eliminate impurities and allows solutions to be more efficient. Internal support including clinical supplements 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 your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be effective. Still, my advice is to getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to identify the source rather than seeking quick fixes.

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A Trichology Expert

Scalp and Hair Scientist and brand president of Philip Kingsley services and items for shedding.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will remove split ends personally every two weeks to keep my ends healthy, and have color touches every two months.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Building fibers 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 almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had a lot of hair fall – and also currently as I’m going through some significant shedding after having a severe illness recently. Because locks are secondary, it’s the initial area to show decline when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the most effective improvements. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It shows no real benefit. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A mild formula such as 2% is inadequate 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. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, 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?

Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – because the real aim of shampooing your hair is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. I see people avoiding shampooing 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 natural oils stay on the head, they break down and become inflammatory.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a careful compromise. 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. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. 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 platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – and it will improve spontaneously. 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