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Jack Martin

Hair Color Expert operating from the Golden State who focuses on grey hair. He works with celebrated actors and renowned personalities.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I highly recommend a microfibre towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to towel-dry your locks. It's often overlooked how much harm a regular bath towel can do, particularly for silver or chemically treated hair. A simple switch can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another affordable staple is a broad-toothed comb, to use during washing. It shields your locks while smoothing out tangles and helps preserve the strength of the individual hairs, particularly post-bleaching.

Which investment truly pays off?

A high-quality styling iron – ceramic or tourmaline, with adjustable temperature options. Silver and light-coloured hair can yellow or burn easily without the proper tool.

What style or process should you always avoid?

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, snap their strands or end up with uneven tones that are extremely difficult to fix. I also don’t recommend keratin or permanent straightening treatments on pre-lightened strands. These formulations are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause lasting harm or color changes.

What’s the most common mistake you see in your salon?

People using the wrong products for their particular strand characteristics. A number of people misuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their lightened locks looks drab and lacking shine. A few overdo on protein-rich treatments and end up with rigid, fragile strands. A further common mistake is using hot tools sans safeguard. When applying hot tools or dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. I also recommend scalp formulas with active ingredients to boost blood flow and aid in hair growth. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps remove residue and allows products to perform better. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown great results. They support the body from the inside out by balancing body chemistry, stress and dietary insufficiencies.

For people looking for something more advanced, PRP therapy – where a personalized serum is applied – can be effective. That said, I always suggest consulting a skin or hair specialist initially. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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A Trichology Expert

Trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley centers and lines targeting thinning.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will remove split ends personally bi-weekly to maintain tip integrity, and have color touches every two months.

What affordable find is essential?

Hair-thickening particles are remarkably effective if you have areas of scalp visibility. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it virtually undetectable. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had noticeable thinning – and also currently as I’m going through some significant shedding after having a severe illness recently. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the earliest indicator of health issues when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

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 optimal outcomes. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – 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. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

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?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – 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 damaging to their locks, when in fact the contrary is accurate – particularly with flaky scalp, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. If oils are left on your scalp, they decompose and cause irritation.

Unfortunately, what your scalp needs and what your hair likes don’t always align, 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 FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. If you then want to try other things to support minoxidil’s effect, 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. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as illness, infection or high 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