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Jack Martin

Colourist located in the Golden State who excels at platinum tones. Among his clientele are Hollywood stars and renowned personalities.

What affordable item can't you live without?

My top pick is a microfibre towel, or even a gentle tee to remove moisture from your strands. Most people don’t realise how much damage a standard towel can do, particularly for grey or color-processed hair. This minor adjustment can really minimize flyaways and damage. Another inexpensive must-have is a large-gap comb, to use during washing. It safeguards your strands while smoothing out tangles and helps maintain the integrity of the hair shafts, particularly post-bleaching.

Which investment truly pays off?

A top-tier thermal appliance – made with advanced materials, with adjustable temperature options. Lightened strands can yellow or burn easily without the right iron.

Which hair trend or treatment would you never recommend?

Self-applied color lifting. Social media makes it look easy, but the reality is it’s one of the biggest gambles you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals cause irreversible harm, experience breakage or end up with bands of colour that are nearly impossible to correct. I would also avoid long-term smoothing services on color-treated or grey hair. Such treatments are often excessively strong for weakened hair and can cause long-term damage or undesired tones.

Which typical blunder stands out?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their hair type or colour. A number of people misuse violet-based cleansers until their lightened locks looks lifeless and muted. Others rely too much on protein-rich treatments and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. The other major issue is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a heat protectant, – 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. Topically, minoxidil is still one of the most effective treatments. I often suggest scalp serums with caffeine or peptides to stimulate circulation and aid in hair growth. Applying a cleansing scalp wash often helps clear out buildup and allows treatments to work more effectively. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown notable improvements. They enhance overall health for hair benefits by correcting endocrine issues, anxiety and dietary insufficiencies.

In cases requiring advanced options, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where your own platelet-rich plasma is injected into the scalp – can be beneficial. That said, I always suggest getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to determine the origin rather than seeking quick fixes.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Scalp and Hair Scientist and leader in hair health centers and lines targeting thinning.

What’s your routine for trims and color?

I schedule cuts every ten to twelve weeks, but will remove split ends personally bi-weekly 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 areas of scalp visibility. 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 noticeable thinning – and also presently during 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 product or treatment is worth splurging on?

For those with genetic thinning in women, I’d say medicated treatments. Regarding increased shedding, or telogen effluvium, buying an retail solution is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the most effective improvements. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as endocrine regulators, blockers and/or soothing agents – works best.

What should you always skip?

Rosemary extracts for shedding. It shows no real benefit. This belief comes from a minor study from 2015 that compared the effects of a mild minoxidil solution versus rosemary extract. A 2% strength minoxidil isn’t enough to do much for male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Likewise, mega-doses of biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so using it may not benefit your strands, and it can skew thyroid readings in blood tests.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

I think the term “hair washing” should be changed to “scalp cleansing” – 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 harmful to their strands, when in fact the opposite is true – notably in cases of dandruff, which is aggravated by oil buildup. When sebum remains on the skin, they deteriorate and lead to inflammation.

Regrettably, follicular health and strand desires can differ, so it’s a delicate equilibrium. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it won’t be damaging to your strands.

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

For genetic thinning in women, start with minoxidil. It's backed by strong research and tends to show optimal results when mixed with supporting compounds. Should you wish to enhance minoxidil's benefits, or you simply don’t want to or can’t use it, you could try microneedling (see a dermatologist), and perhaps injections or laser devices.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Noticeable thinning usually relates to a health trigger. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as illness, infection or high stress – and it will clear up naturally. Alternatively, endocrine issues or nutrient shortages may be the cause – 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