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Jack Martin

Styling Professional operating from the Golden State who specialises in silver hair. He works with celebrated actors and renowned personalities.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

I highly recommend a gentle drying cloth, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to dry your hair. Many are unaware how much damage a regular bath towel can do, particularly for lightened or dyed strands. A simple switch can really lessen brittleness and splitting. Another inexpensive must-have is a large-gap comb, to use in the shower. It safeguards your strands while removing knots and helps preserve the strength of the individual hairs, notably following coloring.

Which investment truly pays off?

A high-quality styling iron – ceramic or tourmaline, with precise heat settings. Lightened strands can yellow or burn easily without the right iron.

Which popular practice is a definite no-go?

At-home lightening. Social media makes it look easy, but the truth is it’s one of the most hazardous actions you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals severely damage their locks, experience breakage or end up with bands of colour that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I would also avoid long-term smoothing services on bleached or silver hair. These formulations are often too aggressive for delicate locks and can cause long-term damage or discoloration.

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

People using the wrong products for their specific hair needs. A number of people misuse violet-based cleansers until their blonde or grey strands looks drab and lacking shine. A few overdo on strengthening conditioners and end up with stiff, brittle hair. The other major issue is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using styling appliances without a heat protectant, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see brassiness, lack of moisture and splitting.

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 stimulate circulation and promote root strength. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps clear out buildup and allows products to perform better. Internal support including clinical supplements have also shown positive outcomes. They support the body from the inside out by correcting endocrine issues, anxiety and lack of vital nutrients.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be successful. That said, I always suggest seeing a dermatologist or trichologist first. Shedding may relate to internal factors, 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 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 remove split ends personally bi-weekly to keep my ends healthy, and have color touches every two months.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Building fibers are remarkably effective if you have areas of scalp visibility. They attach using static to your strands, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it virtually undetectable. It was my go-to post-pregnancy when I had significant shedding – and also currently as I’m going through some considerable hair loss after having a bad infection previously. Because locks are secondary, it’s the earliest indicator of health issues when your diet is lacking, so I would also recommend a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

Which premium option is truly valuable?

In cases of hereditary hair loss in females, 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 best results. 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?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. 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 work as little as each other.

Additionally, excessive biotin. Few individuals have biotin insufficiency, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

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 clear away sebum, debris, sweat and pollutants. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s bad for their hair, when in fact the opposite is true – particularly with flaky scalp, which is worsened by the presence of excess oils. If oils are left on your scalp, 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?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. 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 platelet-rich plasma or light treatments.

In shedding cases, root cause analysis is crucial. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – 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