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An Expert Colorist

Colourist based in the West Coast who focuses on grey hair. His clients include Hollywood stars and well-known figures.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

My top pick is a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to dry your hair. Most people don’t realise how much harm a typical terrycloth towel can do, especially to silver or chemically treated hair. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another affordable staple is a large-gap comb, to use while conditioning. It safeguards your strands while removing knots and helps preserve the strength of the strands, especially after lightening.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – featuring innovative technology, with adjustable temperature options. Lightened strands can yellow or burn easily without the proper tool.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Internet videos often simplify it, but the reality is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people severely damage their locks, experience breakage or end up with bands of colour that are extremely difficult to fix. It's best to steer clear of long-term smoothing services on color-treated or grey hair. These chemical systems are often excessively strong for already fragile strands and can cause long-term damage or discoloration.

What frequent error do you observe?

People using the wrong products for their specific hair needs. A number of people misuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks lifeless and muted. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with stiff, brittle hair. A further common mistake is heat styling without protection. In cases where you employ flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

What would you suggest for thinning hair?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. My advice includes scalp formulas with active ingredients to boost blood flow and support follicle health. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps eliminate impurities and allows products to perform better. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They work internally to benefit externally by balancing body chemistry, tension and nutritional deficiencies.

For people looking for something more advanced, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a personalized serum is applied – can be beneficial. However, I consistently recommend consulting a skin or hair specialist initially. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to get to the root cause rather than seeking quick fixes.

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Anabel Kingsley

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

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

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

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Toppik hair fibres are absolutely amazing if you have see-through sections. 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 now while experiencing some considerable hair loss after having a bad infection previously. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the best results. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It shows no real benefit. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of 2% minoxidil to rosemary oil. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Rarely do people lack biotin, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

What blunder stands out often?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the primary purpose of washing is to clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. Many individuals refrain from cleansing as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the reverse is correct – particularly with flaky scalp, 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 careful compromise. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it won’t be damaging to your strands.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It's backed by strong research and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

In shedding cases, root cause analysis is crucial. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – and it will resolve on its own. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – 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