🔗 Share this article

An Expert Colorist

Styling Professional operating from California who excels at platinum tones. He works with Hollywood stars and renowned personalities.

Which budget-friendly product is a must-have?

I highly recommend a microfibre towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to dry your hair. Many are unaware how much stress a regular bath towel can do, notably with lightened or dyed strands. A simple switch can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another affordable staple is a broad-toothed comb, to use during washing. It protects the hair while removing knots and helps keep the health of the individual hairs, notably following coloring.

Which product or treatment is worth splurging on?

A high-quality styling iron – featuring innovative technology, with adjustable temperature options. Grey and blonde hair can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the proper tool.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

At-home lightening. 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 cause irreversible harm, snap their strands or end up with uneven tones that are nearly impossible to correct. I would also avoid keratin or permanent straightening treatments on pre-lightened strands. These formulations are often overly harsh for already fragile strands and can cause chronic issues or color changes.

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

Individuals choosing unsuitable formulas for their particular strand characteristics. Some overuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their blonde or grey strands looks lifeless and muted. Some depend excessively on strengthening conditioners and end up with rigid, fragile strands. A further common mistake is heat styling without protection. When applying hot tools or dryers without a protective product, – particularly on bleached locks – you’re going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage.

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

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I often suggest scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to boost blood flow and aid in hair growth. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps eliminate impurities and allows solutions to be more efficient. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown notable improvements. They support the body from the inside out by balancing body chemistry, tension and dietary insufficiencies.

For people looking for something more advanced, PRP therapy – where a personalized serum is applied – can be successful. That said, I always suggest getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Shedding may relate to internal factors, and it’s important to get to the root cause rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

---

Anabel Kingsley

Follicle Expert and brand president of Philip Kingsley 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 every two weeks to preserve strand health, and have highlights done every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Hair-thickening particles are absolutely amazing if you have thinning spots. The fibres cling electrostatically to your own hair, and it comes in a range of colors, making it almost invisible. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had a lot of hair fall – and also presently during some significant shedding after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say doctor-recommended solutions. 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.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It doesn’t work. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of 2% minoxidil to rosemary oil. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for genetic balding in men, so the study is basically saying they work as little as each other.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, 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 clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. I see people avoiding shampooing as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the opposite is true – especially if you have dandruff, which is aggravated by oil buildup. If oils are left on your scalp, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. Provided you wash delicately and manage wet locks gently, it shouldn't harm your hair.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. Scientific support is substantial and tends to be most effective combined with additional ingredients. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

For TE, you need to do some detective work. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Sometimes, the cause is transient – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will resolve on its own. In other cases, thyroid imbalances or vitamin/mineral deficiencies are the driving factor – 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