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Jack Martin

Hair Color Expert operating from the Golden State who specialises in grey hair. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and Andie MacDowell.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

My top pick is a gentle drying cloth, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to remove moisture from your strands. Most people don’t realise how much stress a regular bath towel can do, notably with lightened or dyed strands. A simple switch can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another inexpensive must-have is a wide-tooth comb, to use in the shower. It safeguards your strands while smoothing out tangles and helps keep the health of the individual hairs, particularly post-bleaching.

Which investment truly pays off?

A high-quality styling iron – made with advanced materials, with adjustable temperature options. Grey and blonde hair can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the proper tool.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

Self-applied color lifting. Internet videos often simplify it, but the reality is it’s one of the riskiest things you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals cause irreversible harm, experience breakage or end up with uneven tones that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I would also avoid long-term smoothing services on pre-lightened strands. These formulations are often excessively strong for delicate locks and can cause long-term damage or color changes.

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

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their hair type or colour. Some overuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks drab and lacking shine. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with rigid, fragile strands. The other major issue is using hot tools sans safeguard. If you’re using hot tools or dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. My advice includes follicle treatments containing stimulants to enhance nutrient delivery and support follicle health. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps remove residue and allows products to perform better. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown great results. They support the body from the inside out by correcting endocrine issues, tension and dietary insufficiencies.

For people looking for something more advanced, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a personalized serum is applied – can be successful. However, I consistently recommend seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than seeking quick fixes.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Follicle Expert and head of a renowned clinic services and items for shedding.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will snip damaged ends myself fortnightly to maintain tip integrity, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Hair-thickening particles are remarkably effective if you have thinning spots. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it almost invisible. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had noticeable thinning – and also presently during some significant shedding after having a severe illness recently. Because locks are secondary, it’s the initial area to show decline when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

What justifies a higher investment?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. 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. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It's ineffective. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. 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.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, 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 main goal of cleansing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. Many individuals refrain from cleansing as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the reverse is correct – notably in cases of dandruff, 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 balancing act. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it shouldn't harm your hair.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. Scientific support is substantial and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you prefer not to use it or are unable, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – 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