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Jack Martin

Colourist based in the Golden State who excels at grey hair. Among his clientele are Jane Fonda and Andie MacDowell.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

My top pick is a gentle drying cloth, or even a smooth cotton shirt to towel-dry your locks. Most people don’t realise how much harm a regular bath 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 wide-tooth comb, to use while conditioning. It protects the hair while removing knots and helps keep the health of the strands, notably following coloring.

Which investment truly pays off?

A top-tier thermal appliance – ceramic or tourmaline, with smart temperature control. Lightened strands can yellow or burn easily without the right iron.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Self-applied color lifting. Internet videos often simplify it, but the reality is it’s one of the riskiest things 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 incredibly challenging to remedy. I would also avoid chemical straightening processes on pre-lightened strands. Such treatments are often too aggressive for weakened hair and can cause lasting harm or discoloration.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their specific hair needs. Some overuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks drab and lacking shine. Some depend excessively on high-protein masks and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. 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 brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. Externally, minoxidil remains a top choice. I also recommend follicle treatments containing stimulants to boost blood flow and support follicle health. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps clear out buildup and allows solutions to be more efficient. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown positive outcomes. They support the body from the inside out by balancing body chemistry, tension and nutritional deficiencies.

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 identify the source rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

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

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will snip damaged ends myself bi-weekly to keep my ends healthy, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which low-cost item is a game-changer?

Hair-thickening particles are absolutely amazing if you have areas of scalp visibility. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a variety of shades, making it virtually undetectable. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had significant shedding – and also currently as I’m going through some significant shedding 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 balanced, nutritious diet.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an over-the-counter product 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 hormones, anti-androgens and/or anti-inflammatories – works best.

What should you always skip?

Rosemary oil for hair loss. It doesn’t work. This idea originated from a limited 2015 research that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Rarely do people lack biotin, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

Which error is most frequent?

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 notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s damaging to their locks, when in fact the opposite is true – particularly with flaky scalp, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. When sebum remains on the skin, 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 shouldn't harm your hair.

Which options help with shedding?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. Scientific support is substantial and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try micro-needling (under professional care), and perhaps platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

In shedding cases, root cause analysis is crucial. 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 clear up naturally. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – the typical deficiencies involve iron, B12 and vitamin D – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus