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Jack Martin

Styling Professional located in California who focuses on grey hair. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and renowned personalities.

What affordable item can't you live without?

I highly recommend a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to dry your hair. Many are unaware how much stress a regular bath towel can do, particularly for lightened or dyed strands. This minor adjustment can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another inexpensive must-have is a large-gap comb, to use during washing. It shields your locks while removing knots and helps maintain the integrity of the strands, notably following coloring.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A high-quality styling iron – featuring innovative technology, with adjustable temperature options. Lightened strands can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the right iron.

What style or process should you always avoid?

Self-applied color lifting. Internet videos often simplify it, but the reality is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals severely damage their locks, snap their strands or end up with striped effects that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I would also avoid long-term smoothing services on color-treated or grey hair. These chemical systems are often overly harsh for already fragile strands and can cause lasting harm or discoloration.

What frequent error do you observe?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their hair type or colour. Some overuse violet-based cleansers until their silver or blond hair looks drab and lacking shine. Some depend excessively on protein-rich treatments and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. Another significant problem is heat styling without protection. In cases where you employ flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a heat protectant, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

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 follicle treatments containing stimulants to stimulate circulation and aid in hair growth. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps remove residue and allows solutions to be more efficient. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They work internally to benefit externally by balancing body chemistry, tension and nutritional deficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, blood-derived therapies – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be effective. That said, I always suggest getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to identify the source rather than chasing surface-level fixes.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Follicle Expert and head of a renowned clinic centers and lines targeting thinning.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will trim off splits at home bi-weekly to maintain tip integrity, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Building fibers 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 seamlessly blended. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had significant shedding – and also presently during some significant shedding after having a severe illness recently. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the initial area to show decline when your nutrition is inadequate, 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 retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions 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?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It shows no real benefit. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. 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 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. Many individuals refrain from cleansing as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the contrary is accurate – especially if you have dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. When sebum remains on the skin, they decompose and cause irritation.

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 won’t be damaging to your strands.

Which product, treatment or supplement would you recommend for hair loss?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It's backed by strong research and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – 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