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Jack Martin

Hair Color Expert operating from the Golden State who excels at silver hair. He works with celebrated actors and well-known figures.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I swear by a microfibre towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to towel-dry your locks. Most people don’t realise how much harm a standard towel can do, particularly for silver or chemically treated hair. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another inexpensive must-have is a broad-toothed comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while smoothing out tangles and helps keep the health of the hair shafts, particularly post-bleaching.

Which investment truly pays off?

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 right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

At-home lightening. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the actual fact is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. I’ve witnessed clients melt their hair, break it off or end up with striped effects that are incredibly challenging to remedy. It's best to steer clear of keratin or permanent straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair. Such treatments are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause long-term damage or discoloration.

Which typical blunder stands out?

People using the wrong products for their particular strand characteristics. Some overuse toning shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks drab and lacking shine. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with rigid, fragile strands. A further common mistake is thermal styling minus a barrier. In cases where you employ hot tools or dryers without a heat protectant, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. I often suggest follicle treatments containing stimulants to enhance nutrient delivery and aid in hair growth. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps remove residue and allows products to perform better. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown great results. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by balancing body chemistry, stress and nutritional deficiencies.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be successful. However, I consistently recommend getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than chasing surface-level fixes.

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A Trichology Expert

Follicle Expert and leader in hair health centers and lines targeting thinning.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

My trims are every couple of months, but will trim off splits at home bi-weekly to keep my ends healthy, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Building fibers are absolutely amazing if you have areas of scalp visibility. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it almost invisible. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had a lot of hair fall – and also currently as I’m going through some significant shedding after having a bad infection previously. Since hair is non-vital, it’s the initial area to show decline 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 doctor-recommended solutions. For excessive daily hair shedding, AKA telogen effluvium (TE), buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need prescription-strength formulas to see the most effective improvements. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It shows no real benefit. The whole thing stems from one small study done in 2015 that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

Also, high-dose biotin. Rarely do people lack biotin, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can affect thyroid test results.

Which error is most frequent?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – because the primary purpose of washing 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 opposite is true – notably in cases of dandruff, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. If oils are left on your scalp, they decompose and cause irritation.

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.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For FPHL, your core treatment should be minoxidil. 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 choose to avoid it or cannot tolerate it, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

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