Perfect Hair, Today: Professional Hairstylists Discuss Their Go-To Products – Plus Pitfalls to Steer Clear Of

A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert operating from the West Coast who specialises in silver hair. His clients include celebrated actors and Andie MacDowell.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I highly recommend a soft fabric towel, or even a gentle tee to remove moisture from your strands. Many are unaware how much harm a standard towel can do, especially to lightened or dyed strands. This minor adjustment can really reduce frizz and breakage. A second budget-friendly essential is a broad-toothed comb, to use while conditioning. It protects the hair while detangling and helps keep the health of the hair shafts, especially after lightening.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – ceramic or tourmaline, with adjustable temperature options. Silver and light-coloured hair can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the right iron.

What style or process should you always avoid?

Self-applied color lifting. Social media makes it look easy, but the actual fact is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients melt their hair, snap their strands or end up with uneven tones that are incredibly challenging to remedy. It's best to steer clear of keratin or permanent straightening treatments on pre-lightened strands. These chemical systems are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause lasting harm or undesired tones.

What frequent error do you observe?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their particular strand characteristics. A number of people misuse violet-based cleansers until their silver or blond hair looks flat and dull. Some depend excessively on protein-rich treatments and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. Another significant problem is using hot tools sans safeguard. If you’re using hot tools or dryers without a protective product, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. My advice includes follicle treatments containing stimulants to enhance nutrient delivery and aid in hair growth. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps eliminate impurities and allows treatments to work more effectively. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown notable improvements. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by addressing hormonal imbalances, tension and dietary insufficiencies.

For people looking for something more advanced, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be successful. 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 seeking quick fixes.

A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Scalp and Hair Scientist and leader in hair health centers and lines targeting thinning.

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 low-cost item is a game-changer?

Toppik hair fibres are absolutely amazing if you have thinning spots. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it almost invisible. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had noticeable thinning – and also now while experiencing some considerable hair loss after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, it’s the initial area to show decline when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.

What justifies a higher investment?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the best results. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

What should you always skip?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It's ineffective. The whole thing stems from one small study done in 2015 that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so using it may not benefit your strands, 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 main goal of cleansing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s damaging to their locks, when in fact the opposite is true – especially if you have 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 shouldn't harm your hair.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

In shedding cases, root cause analysis is crucial. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will improve spontaneously. 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