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Jack Martin

Styling Professional operating from the Golden State who specialises in silver hair. He works with Jane Fonda and well-known figures.

What affordable item can't you live without?

I swear by a microfibre towel, or even a smooth cotton shirt to remove moisture from your strands. It's often overlooked how much damage a standard towel can do, particularly for silver or chemically treated hair. This one small change can really lessen brittleness and splitting. A second budget-friendly essential is a wide-tooth comb, to use in the shower. It shields your locks while removing knots and helps preserve the strength of the hair shafts, particularly post-bleaching.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A top-tier thermal appliance – made with advanced materials, with smart temperature control. Grey and blonde hair can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the proper tool.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

DIY bleaching. Internet videos often simplify it, but the reality is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals severely damage their locks, break it off or end up with uneven tones that are incredibly challenging to remedy. It's best to steer clear of chemical straightening processes on color-treated or grey hair. Such treatments are often excessively strong for already fragile strands and can cause lasting harm or discoloration.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their specific hair needs. Certain clients overapply violet-based cleansers until their lightened locks looks lifeless and muted. Some depend excessively on strengthening conditioners and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. Another significant problem is thermal styling minus a barrier. When applying hot tools or dryers without a heat protectant, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

Which solutions help with shedding?

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 promote root strength. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps eliminate impurities and allows products to perform better. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown notable improvements. They support the body from the inside out by balancing body chemistry, anxiety and nutritional deficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, blood-derived therapies – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be successful. 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 pursuing temporary solutions.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Follicle Expert 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 snip damaged ends myself fortnightly to keep my ends healthy, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Toppik hair fibres are truly impressive if you have thinning spots. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it almost invisible. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had significant shedding – and also now while experiencing some significant shedding after having awful flu a few months ago. Since hair is non-vital, 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?

If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. 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. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It doesn’t work. The whole thing stems from one small study done in 2015 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 work as little as each other.

Also, high-dose biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

Which error is most frequent?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the real aim of shampooing your hair 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 – especially if you have dandruff, which is aggravated by oil buildup. When sebum remains on the skin, they break down and become inflammatory.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, 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 be most effective combined with additional ingredients. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – 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