Right Hair, Right Now: Top Stylists Reveal Favorite Items – Along With Items to Bypass

A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert located in California who excels at grey hair. He works with Hollywood stars and well-known figures.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

My top pick is a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to remove moisture from your strands. Many are unaware how much damage a standard towel can do, notably with silver or chemically treated hair. This one small change can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another inexpensive must-have is a broad-toothed comb, to use in the shower. It protects the hair while removing knots and helps keep the health of the strands, especially after lightening.

Which investment truly pays off?

A top-tier thermal appliance – made with advanced materials, with smart temperature control. Silver and light-coloured hair can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

Self-applied color lifting. Internet videos often simplify it, but the actual fact is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients cause irreversible harm, experience breakage or end up with striped effects that are extremely difficult to fix. I would also avoid chemical straightening processes on pre-lightened strands. These chemical systems are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause long-term damage or discoloration.

What frequent error do you observe?

People using the wrong products for their specific hair needs. Certain clients overapply violet-based cleansers until their blonde or grey strands looks drab and lacking shine. Some depend excessively on high-protein masks and end up with stiff, brittle hair. The other major issue is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using hot tools or dryers without a defensive spray or cream, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. My advice includes scalp formulas with active ingredients to enhance nutrient delivery and support follicle health. 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 support the body from the inside out by addressing hormonal imbalances, stress and lack of vital nutrients.

For people looking for something more advanced, blood-derived therapies – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – 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.

A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Follicle Expert and head of a renowned clinic clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

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

What affordable find is essential?

Building fibers are absolutely amazing 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 almost invisible. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had a lot of hair fall – and also presently during some marked thinning after having a severe illness recently. Since hair is non-vital, it’s the initial area to show decline when your nutrition is inadequate, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

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 non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the most effective improvements. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It doesn’t work. 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 genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

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?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the main goal of cleansing is to clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. Many individuals refrain from cleansing as they think it’s damaging to their locks, when in fact the contrary is accurate – particularly with flaky scalp, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If natural oils stay on the head, they break down and become inflammatory.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it shouldn't harm your hair.

Which options help with shedding?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – and it will improve spontaneously. Alternatively, endocrine issues or nutrient shortages may be the cause – the typical deficiencies involve iron, B12 and vitamin D – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus