Healthy Hair, Instantly: Professional Hairstylists Discuss Their Go-To Products – And What to Avoid
Jack Martin
Hair Color Expert operating from the Golden State who excels at platinum tones. He works with Hollywood stars and Andie MacDowell.
What affordable item can't you live without?
I swear by a soft fabric towel, or even a gentle tee to dry your hair. Most people don’t realise how much damage a typical terrycloth towel can do, especially to grey or color-processed hair. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another inexpensive must-have is a large-gap comb, to use during washing. It safeguards your strands while smoothing out tangles and helps keep the health of the hair shafts, especially after lightening.
What item or service justifies the extra cost?
A top-tier thermal appliance – ceramic or tourmaline, with smart temperature control. Silver and light-coloured hair can yellow or burn easily without the correct device.
Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?
DIY bleaching. Social media makes it look easy, but the truth is it’s one of the riskiest things you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients severely damage their locks, break it off or end up with uneven tones that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I also don’t recommend chemical straightening processes on bleached or silver hair. Such treatments are often overly harsh for already fragile strands and can cause long-term damage or color changes.
Which typical blunder stands out?
People using the wrong products for their particular strand characteristics. Certain clients overapply violet-based cleansers until their silver or blond hair looks drab and lacking shine. A few overdo 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 product, treatment or supplement would you recommend for hair loss?
Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I often suggest scalp formulas with active ingredients to enhance nutrient delivery and promote root strength. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps clear out buildup and allows treatments to work more effectively. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown great results. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by balancing body chemistry, anxiety and nutritional deficiencies.
In cases requiring advanced options, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be successful. However, I consistently recommend consulting a skin or hair specialist initially. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to get to the root cause rather than seeking quick fixes.
A Trichology Expert
Trichologist and leader in hair health 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 bi-weekly to maintain tip integrity, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.
Which low-cost item is a game-changer?
Toppik hair fibres are remarkably effective if you have see-through sections. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it virtually undetectable. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had significant shedding – and also presently during some marked thinning after having a bad infection previously. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your nutrition is inadequate, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.
Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?
If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say medicated treatments. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the most effective improvements. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.
Which popular remedy is ineffective?
Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It shows no real benefit. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of 2% minoxidil to rosemary oil. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.
Additionally, excessive biotin. Rarely do people lack biotin, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.
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 remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s damaging to their locks, when in fact the opposite is true – notably in cases of dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. 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 balancing act. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it is unlikely to cause damage.
What solutions do you suggest for thinning?
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 simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.
With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will improve spontaneously. Sometimes, hormonal problems or dietary gaps are responsible – 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
