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Jack Martin

Styling Professional operating from the West Coast who focuses on silver hair. He works with Jane Fonda and well-known figures.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I swear by a gentle drying cloth, or even a gentle tee to remove moisture from your strands. It's often overlooked how much harm a typical terrycloth towel can do, particularly for grey or color-processed hair. A simple switch can really lessen brittleness and splitting. Another affordable staple is a wide-tooth comb, to use in the shower. It shields your locks while detangling and helps keep the health of the hair shafts, especially after lightening.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – made with advanced materials, with smart temperature control. Lightened strands can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the correct device.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

Self-applied color lifting. Internet videos often simplify it, but the actual fact is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve seen people melt their hair, break it off or end up with uneven tones that are nearly impossible to correct. It's best to steer clear of chemical straightening processes on color-treated or grey hair. These formulations are often overly harsh for already fragile strands and can cause long-term damage or color changes.

What frequent error do you observe?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their specific hair needs. Certain clients overapply violet-based cleansers until their blonde or grey strands looks flat and dull. Some depend excessively on strengthening conditioners and end up with stiff, brittle hair. The other major issue is heat styling without protection. 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 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 also recommend follicle treatments containing stimulants to boost blood flow and aid in hair growth. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps clear out buildup and allows treatments to work more effectively. Supplements such as Nutrafol or Viviscal Pro have also shown great results. They work internally to benefit externally by addressing hormonal imbalances, tension and dietary insufficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be beneficial. However, I consistently recommend getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to identify the source rather than seeking quick fixes.

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A Trichology Expert

Follicle Expert and leader in hair health services and items for shedding.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

I get my hair cut every 10 to 12 weeks, but will snip damaged ends myself bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Hair-thickening particles are absolutely amazing if you have see-through sections. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it almost invisible. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had a lot of hair fall – and also now while experiencing some considerable hair loss after having a severe illness recently. Because locks are secondary, it’s the earliest indicator of health issues when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a balanced, nutritious diet.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, I’d say medicated treatments. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need medicated treatment to see the optimal outcomes. 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?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It shows no real benefit. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with 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 provide similarly low results.

Likewise, mega-doses of 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 harmful to their strands, when in fact the contrary is accurate – particularly with flaky scalp, which is intensified by sebum accumulation. When sebum remains on the skin, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it is unlikely to cause damage.

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

For FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. Scientific support is substantial and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. If you're interested in complementary therapies, 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. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will improve spontaneously. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – 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