Healthy Hair, Instantly: Leading Experts Share Their Go-To Products – And What to Avoid
An Expert Colorist
Styling Professional operating from California who excels at silver hair. He works with celebrated actors and renowned personalities.
Which bargain product do you swear by?
I swear by a soft fabric towel, or even a smooth cotton shirt to remove moisture from your strands. It's often overlooked how much damage a typical terrycloth towel can do, particularly for grey or color-processed hair. A simple switch can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another inexpensive must-have is a broad-toothed comb, to use in the shower. It shields your locks while detangling and helps keep the health of the hair shafts, particularly post-bleaching.
What item or service justifies the extra cost?
A high-quality styling iron – featuring innovative technology, with precise heat settings. Silver and light-coloured hair can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the proper tool.
Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?
DIY bleaching. Internet videos often simplify it, but the truth is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people cause irreversible harm, snap their strands or end up with striped effects that are nearly impossible to correct. I would also avoid chemical straightening processes on color-treated or grey hair. These chemical systems are often too aggressive for delicate locks and can cause chronic issues or undesired tones.
What’s the most common mistake you see in your salon?
People using the wrong products for their particular strand characteristics. Some overuse toning shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks flat and dull. Some depend excessively on high-protein masks and end up with rigid, fragile strands. A further common mistake 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 product, treatment or supplement would you recommend for hair loss?
Shedding demands a multifaceted plan. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. My advice includes scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to boost blood flow and support follicle health. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps remove residue and allows products to perform better. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown notable improvements. They support the body from the inside out by addressing hormonal imbalances, tension and lack of vital nutrients.
In cases requiring advanced options, blood-derived therapies – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be effective. That said, I always suggest 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 chasing surface-level fixes.
Anabel Kingsley
Trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley centers and lines targeting thinning.
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 lightening sessions every eight weeks.
Which bargain product do you swear by?
Hair-thickening particles are truly impressive if you have areas of scalp visibility. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it virtually undetectable. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had a lot of hair fall – and also now while experiencing some considerable hair loss after having awful flu a few months ago. Because locks are secondary, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.
Which premium option is truly valuable?
If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say medicated treatments. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the best results. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.
Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?
Rosemary oil for hair loss. It doesn’t work. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of 2% minoxidil to rosemary oil. A mild formula such as 2% is inadequate to do much for male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.
Additionally, excessive biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.
What’s the most common mistake you see?
Personally, I prefer "scalp cleansing" over "hair washing" – because the main goal of cleansing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the reverse is correct – notably in cases of dandruff, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If natural oils stay on the head, they break down and become inflammatory.
Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a careful compromise. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it shouldn't harm your hair.
Which options help with shedding?
For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. Scientific support is substantial and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. If you then want to try other things to support minoxidil’s effect, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps injections or laser devices.
With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. 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
