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Jack Martin

Styling Professional based in the West Coast who specialises in platinum tones. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and Andie MacDowell.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I highly recommend a gentle drying cloth, or even a gentle tee to remove moisture from your strands. It's often overlooked how much damage a standard towel can do, especially to silver or chemically treated hair. A simple switch can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another affordable staple is a wide-tooth comb, to use while conditioning. It shields your locks while smoothing out tangles and helps keep the health of the strands, especially after lightening.

Which investment truly pays off?

A top-tier thermal appliance – made with advanced materials, with smart temperature control. Lightened strands can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the proper tool.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

DIY bleaching. Internet videos often simplify it, but the truth is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals severely damage their locks, experience breakage or end up with uneven tones that are nearly impossible to correct. I also don’t recommend long-term smoothing services on color-treated or grey hair. These chemical systems are often excessively strong for already fragile strands and can cause chronic issues or undesired tones.

What frequent error do you observe?

People using the wrong products for their hair type or colour. Certain clients overapply violet-based cleansers until their lightened locks looks lifeless and muted. A few overdo on protein-rich treatments and end up with stiff, brittle hair. A further common mistake is thermal styling minus a barrier. When applying styling appliances without a defensive spray or cream, – especially on pre-lightened hair – 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 support follicle health. Using a scalp detox shampoo weekly helps clear out buildup and allows treatments to work more effectively. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They support the body from the inside out by addressing hormonal imbalances, tension and lack of vital nutrients.

In cases requiring advanced options, PRP therapy – where a personalized serum is applied – can be beneficial. Still, my advice is to getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Follicle Expert and leader in hair health clinics and product ranges for hair loss.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

My trims are every couple of months, but will snip damaged ends myself bi-weekly to preserve strand health, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Hair-thickening particles are truly impressive if you have areas of scalp visibility. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it seamlessly blended. I used it myself in the postpartum period when I had noticeable thinning – and also presently during some marked thinning after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the optimal outcomes. From my perspective, minoxidil combined with additional ingredients – such as hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

What should you always skip?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It's ineffective. The whole thing stems from one small study done in 2015 that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they provide similarly low results.

Also, high-dose biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so taking it is unlikely to do your hair any good, and it can affect thyroid test results.

What blunder stands out often?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – 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 harmful to their strands, when in fact the contrary is accurate – especially if you have dandruff, which is intensified by sebum accumulation. When sebum remains on the skin, they break down and become inflammatory.

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 won’t be damaging to your strands.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. If you're interested in complementary therapies, or you prefer not to use it or are unable, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Excessive daily shedding occurs in response to an internal factor. In some instances, the trigger is short-term – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will resolve on its own. 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