Right Hair, Right Now: Top Stylists Share Their Go-To Products – Along With Items to Bypass
An Expert Colorist
Hair Color Expert located in the Golden State who specialises in grey hair. He works with celebrated actors and renowned personalities.
What affordable item can't you live without?
I highly recommend a gentle drying cloth, or even a gentle tee to towel-dry your locks. Many are unaware how much damage a typical terrycloth towel can do, especially to silver or chemically treated hair. This one small change can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another affordable staple is a broad-toothed comb, to use in the shower. It protects the hair while detangling and helps preserve the strength of the strands, especially after lightening.
Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?
A top-tier thermal appliance – ceramic or tourmaline, with smart temperature control. Lightened strands can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the correct device.
Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?
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, snap their strands or end up with uneven tones that are nearly impossible to correct. I would also avoid keratin or permanent straightening treatments on color-treated or grey hair. These formulations are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause lasting harm or discoloration.
What’s the most common mistake you see in your salon?
Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their specific hair needs. A number of people misuse toning shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks drab and lacking shine. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. The other major issue is heat styling without protection. When applying flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a protective product, – 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 follicle treatments containing stimulants to enhance nutrient delivery and promote root strength. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps eliminate impurities and allows products to perform better. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown positive outcomes. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by addressing hormonal imbalances, stress and nutritional deficiencies.
For people looking for something more advanced, blood-derived therapies – where a personalized serum is applied – can be successful. 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 chasing surface-level fixes.
A Trichology Expert
Trichologist and head of a renowned clinic clinics and product ranges for hair loss.
What’s your routine for trims and color?
I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will remove split ends personally bi-weekly to maintain tip integrity, and have highlights done every eight weeks.
Which low-cost item is a game-changer?
Building fibers are absolutely amazing if you have thinning spots. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it seamlessly blended. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had significant shedding – and also presently during some marked thinning after having a severe illness recently. Because locks are secondary, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your nutrition is inadequate, 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. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the best results. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – 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 low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. 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.
Additionally, excessive 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?
Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – because the primary purpose of washing 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 bad for their hair, when in fact the contrary is accurate – particularly with flaky scalp, which is intensified by sebum accumulation. When sebum remains on the skin, 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 won’t be damaging to your strands.
Which options help with shedding?
For FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. It's backed by strong research and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. If you're interested in complementary therapies, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.
For TE, you need to do some detective work. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. 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 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
