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Jack Martin

Hair Color Expert based in the West Coast who specialises in platinum tones. His clients include Hollywood stars and Andie MacDowell.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I highly recommend a microfibre towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to towel-dry your locks. Many are unaware how much damage a regular bath towel can do, especially to silver or chemically treated hair. A simple switch can really reduce frizz and breakage. A second budget-friendly essential is a broad-toothed comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while smoothing out tangles and helps maintain the integrity of the hair shafts, especially after lightening.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – ceramic or tourmaline, with adjustable temperature options. Lightened strands 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 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 incredibly challenging to remedy. I also don’t recommend long-term smoothing services on color-treated or grey hair. These formulations are often excessively strong for already fragile strands and can cause long-term damage or undesired tones.

What frequent error do you observe?

People using the wrong products for their specific hair needs. 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 rigid, fragile strands. The other major issue is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using styling appliances without a heat protectant, – 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. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I often suggest scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to stimulate circulation and support follicle health. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps remove residue and allows solutions to be more efficient. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown positive outcomes. They support the body from the inside out by correcting endocrine issues, tension and lack of vital nutrients.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, PRP therapy – where a personalized serum is applied – can be effective. That said, I always suggest seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to get to the root cause rather than seeking quick fixes.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Scalp and Hair Scientist and leader in hair health services and items for shedding.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will snip damaged ends myself bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have color touches every two months.

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 range of colors, making it virtually undetectable. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – 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 well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

What justifies a higher investment?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the optimal outcomes. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It's ineffective. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for hereditary thinning in males, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Rarely do people lack biotin, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, and it can affect thyroid test results.

Which error is most frequent?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the real aim of shampooing your hair is to remove buildup, flakes, perspiration and dirt. Many individuals refrain from cleansing as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the opposite is true – especially if you have dandruff, 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 careful compromise. However, if you cleanse softly and treat damp strands kindly, it is unlikely to cause damage.

Which options help with shedding?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. 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.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will improve spontaneously. 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