Perfect Hair, Today: Professional Hairstylists Reveal Preferred Choices – And What to Avoid

Jack Martin

Styling Professional based in the Golden State who excels at grey hair. He works with Jane Fonda and renowned personalities.

What affordable item can't you live without?

I highly recommend a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to towel-dry your locks. Most people don’t realise how much damage a regular bath towel can do, notably with silver or chemically treated hair. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another inexpensive must-have is a broad-toothed comb, to use during washing. It protects the hair while detangling and helps preserve the strength of the strands, especially after lightening.

Which investment truly pays off?

A high-quality styling iron – made with advanced materials, with smart temperature control. Silver and light-coloured hair can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the right iron.

What style or process should you always avoid?

Self-applied color lifting. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the actual fact is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people severely damage their locks, break it off or end up with bands of colour that are nearly impossible to correct. I would also avoid keratin or permanent straightening treatments on color-treated or grey hair. These chemical systems are often overly harsh for delicate locks and can cause chronic issues or undesired tones.

What frequent error do you observe?

People using the wrong products for their particular strand characteristics. Certain clients overapply toning shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks drab and lacking shine. Others rely too much on strengthening conditioners and end up with stiff, brittle hair. A further common mistake is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using hot tools or dryers without a heat protectant, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. My advice includes follicle treatments containing stimulants to boost blood flow and promote root strength. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps eliminate impurities and allows products to perform better. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown positive outcomes. They work internally to benefit externally by addressing hormonal imbalances, tension and lack of vital nutrients.

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 seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to identify the source rather than chasing surface-level fixes.

A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Scalp and Hair Scientist and head of a renowned clinic clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will trim off splits at home bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Building fibers are absolutely amazing if you have see-through sections. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it seamlessly blended. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had noticeable thinning – and also now while experiencing some significant shedding after having a bad infection previously. 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 well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. 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 optimal outcomes. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It shows no real benefit. 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 hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

What blunder stands out often?

Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – because the primary purpose of washing is to clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the opposite is true – 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 careful compromise. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it won’t be damaging to your strands.

Which options help with shedding?

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 PRP or low-level laser therapy.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. 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 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