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Jack Martin

Styling Professional located in the Golden State who focuses on grey hair. He works with Jane Fonda and Andie MacDowell.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I swear by a gentle drying cloth, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to remove moisture from your strands. Many are unaware how much harm a typical terrycloth towel can do, particularly for grey or color-processed hair. This minor adjustment can really reduce frizz and breakage. A second budget-friendly essential is a wide-tooth comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while detangling and helps keep the health 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. Grey and blonde hair can yellow or burn easily without the correct device.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the truth is it’s one of the riskiest things you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people cause irreversible harm, break it off or end up with uneven tones that are nearly impossible to correct. It's best to steer clear of keratin or permanent straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair. These formulations are often excessively strong for already fragile strands and can cause chronic issues or undesired tones.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their hair type or colour. A number of people misuse toning shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks flat and dull. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. Another significant problem is heat styling without protection. If you’re using styling appliances without a protective product, – notably with color-treated strands – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

What would you suggest for thinning hair?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I also recommend follicle treatments containing stimulants to stimulate circulation and aid in hair growth. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps clear out buildup and allows treatments to work more effectively. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown notable improvements. They work internally to benefit externally by addressing hormonal imbalances, tension and nutritional deficiencies.

For people looking for something more advanced, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a personalized serum is applied – can be successful. However, I consistently recommend consulting a skin or hair specialist initially. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to get to the root cause rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Scalp and Hair Scientist and brand president of Philip Kingsley clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

My trims are every couple of months, but will trim off splits at home bi-weekly to maintain tip integrity, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

What affordable find is essential?

Hair-thickening particles are remarkably effective if you have thinning spots. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – and also currently as I’m going through some marked thinning after having awful flu a few months ago. Since hair is non-vital, it’s the earliest indicator of health issues 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 prescription hair-loss topicals. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need medicated treatment to see the best results. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

What should you always skip?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It doesn’t work. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can affect thyroid test results.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – 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 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 break down and become inflammatory.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. However, if you cleanse softly and treat damp strands kindly, it is unlikely to cause damage.

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 micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – 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 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