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Jack Martin

Hair Color Expert located in the West Coast who specialises in platinum tones. He works with Hollywood stars and Andie MacDowell.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I swear by a microfibre towel, or even a gentle tee to remove moisture from your strands. It's often overlooked how much damage a typical terrycloth towel can do, especially to lightened or dyed strands. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another inexpensive must-have is a large-gap comb, to use while conditioning. It safeguards your strands while smoothing out tangles and helps preserve the strength of the strands, notably following coloring.

Which investment truly pays off?

A professional-grade heat styling tool – featuring innovative technology, with smart temperature control. Lightened strands can yellow or burn easily without the right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the reality is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals melt their hair, snap their strands or end up with striped effects that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I also don’t recommend chemical straightening processes on color-treated or grey hair. These chemical systems are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause chronic issues or undesired tones.

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

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their hair type or colour. A number of people misuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks lifeless and muted. Others rely too much on strengthening conditioners and end up with rigid, fragile strands. A further common mistake is heat styling without protection. If you’re using styling appliances without a protective product, – notably with color-treated strands – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

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

Thinning requires a comprehensive strategy. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I also recommend follicle treatments containing stimulants to boost blood flow and support follicle health. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps eliminate impurities and allows treatments to work more effectively. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown notable improvements. They support the body from the inside out by correcting endocrine issues, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

For people looking for something more advanced, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be beneficial. However, I consistently recommend consulting a skin or hair specialist initially. Thinning can be linked to medical conditions, and it’s important to get to the root cause rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

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 fortnightly to maintain tip integrity, and have color touches every two months.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Building fibers are truly impressive if you have thinning spots. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it virtually undetectable. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had noticeable thinning – and also now while experiencing some considerable hair loss after having awful flu a few months ago. As hair isn’t an essential tissue, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your nutrition is inadequate, so I would also recommend a healthy, varied eating plan.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need medicated treatment to see the optimal outcomes. I believe minoxidil mixed with supporting compounds – 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 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 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 real aim of shampooing your hair 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 reverse is correct – particularly with flaky scalp, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If natural oils stay on the head, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Unfortunately, what your scalp needs and what your hair likes don’t always align, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. However, if you cleanse softly and treat damp strands kindly, it is unlikely to cause damage.

Which options help with shedding?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. If you then want to try other things to support minoxidil’s effect, or you prefer not to use it or are unable, 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. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as sickness, virus or emotional strain – and it will improve spontaneously. Alternatively, endocrine issues or nutrient shortages may be the cause – the frequent culprits include iron stores, B12 and D insufficiency – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus