Healthy Hair, Instantly: Leading Experts Reveal Preferred Choices – Plus Pitfalls to Steer Clear Of

Jack Martin

Hair Color Expert located in the Golden State who focuses on grey hair. His clients include Hollywood stars and Andie MacDowell.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

My top pick is a gentle drying cloth, or even a gentle tee to remove moisture from your strands. Most people don’t realise how much harm a standard towel can do, notably with grey or color-processed hair. A simple switch can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another affordable staple is a large-gap comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while detangling and helps maintain the integrity of the individual hairs, particularly post-bleaching.

Which investment truly pays off?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – ceramic or tourmaline, with adjustable temperature options. Silver and light-coloured hair can yellow or burn easily without the correct device.

What style or process should you always avoid?

DIY bleaching. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the actual fact is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals melt their hair, snap their strands or end up with bands of colour that are nearly impossible to correct. I also don’t recommend chemical straightening processes on bleached or silver hair. These chemical systems are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause chronic issues or undesired tones.

Which typical blunder stands out?

People using the wrong products for their hair type or colour. A number of people misuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks flat and dull. A few overdo on protein-rich treatments and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. Another significant problem is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using styling appliances 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. I also recommend scalp formulas with active ingredients to enhance nutrient delivery and promote root strength. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps eliminate impurities and allows products to perform better. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown great results. They work internally to benefit externally by balancing body chemistry, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, PRP therapy – where a personalized serum is applied – can be effective. However, I consistently recommend getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than chasing surface-level fixes.

A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Follicle Expert and leader in hair health 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 bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Building fibers are truly impressive if you have see-through sections. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it almost invisible. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had noticeable thinning – and also presently during some considerable hair loss after having a severe illness recently. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the initial area to show decline when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say medicated treatments. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an non-prescription item 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 balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It doesn’t work. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Also, high-dose biotin. Rarely do people lack biotin, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can affect thyroid test results.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – because the main goal of cleansing 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. When sebum remains on the skin, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

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.

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 collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

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 resolve on its own. Alternatively, endocrine issues or nutrient shortages may be the cause – 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