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Jack Martin

Hair Color Expert based in the West Coast who focuses on silver hair. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and renowned personalities.

What affordable item can't you live without?

My top pick is a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to towel-dry your locks. It's often overlooked how much harm a standard towel can do, particularly for lightened or dyed strands. A simple switch can really lessen brittleness and splitting. Another inexpensive must-have is a wide-tooth comb, to use during washing. It shields your locks while smoothing out tangles and helps maintain the integrity of the hair shafts, particularly post-bleaching.

Which investment truly pays off?

A high-quality styling iron – made with advanced materials, with smart temperature control. Lightened strands can develop brassy tones or get damaged without the correct device.

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 riskiest things you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people cause irreversible harm, break it off or end up with uneven tones that are extremely difficult to fix. I also don’t recommend long-term smoothing services on pre-lightened strands. Such treatments are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause chronic issues or color changes.

What’s the most common mistake you see in your salon?

People using the wrong products for their specific hair needs. A number of people misuse toning shampoo until their lightened locks looks flat and dull. A few overdo on high-protein masks and end up with rigid, fragile strands. A further common mistake is using hot tools sans safeguard. In cases where you employ flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a heat protectant, – particularly on bleached locks – 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. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. My advice includes follicle treatments containing stimulants to enhance nutrient delivery and promote root strength. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps remove residue and allows treatments to work more effectively. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown notable improvements. They work internally to benefit externally by correcting endocrine issues, anxiety and dietary insufficiencies.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, blood-derived therapies – where a personalized serum is applied – can be successful. Still, my advice is to getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than seeking quick fixes.

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A Trichology Expert

Trichologist and leader in hair health centers and lines targeting thinning.

How frequently do you schedule salon visits?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will trim off splits at home every two weeks to preserve strand health, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Toppik hair fibres are truly impressive if you have thinning spots. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it virtually undetectable. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had a lot of hair fall – and also currently as I’m going through some significant shedding after having awful flu a few months ago. Since hair is non-vital, it’s the initial area to show decline when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

What justifies a higher investment?

If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say medicated treatments. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an over-the-counter product is fine, but for FPHL you really do need medicated treatment to see the best results. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

What should you always skip?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It shows no real benefit. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 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 are equally minimal in effect.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the main goal of cleansing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s damaging to their locks, when in fact the contrary is accurate – especially if you have dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. If natural oils stay on the head, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a balancing act. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it shouldn't harm your hair.

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 resolve on its own. Sometimes, hormonal problems or dietary gaps are responsible – 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