Right hair, right now: top stylists on the products they use themselves and ones to avoid

"I swear by a microfibre towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt, to dry your hair. Most people don't realise how much damage a regular bath towel can do, especially to silver or chemically treated hair. This one small change can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another inexpensive must-have is a wide-tooth comb, to use in the shower. It protects the hair while detangling and helps maintain the integrity of the strands, especially after lightening."

"Social media makes it look easy, but the reality is it's one of the riskiest things you can do to your hair. I've seen people melt their hair, break it off or end up with bands of colour that are nearly impossible to correct. I also don't recommend keratin or permanent straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair. These chemical systems are often too aggressive for already fragile strands and can cause long-term damage or discoloration."

"People using the wrong products for their hair type or colour. Some overuse colour-correcting purple shampoo until their silver or blond hair looks flat and dull. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with stiff, brittle hair. The other major issue is heat styling without protection. If you're using flat irons, curling irons or blow dryers without a protective product especially on pre-lightened hair you're going to see yellowing, dryness and breakage."

Microfibre towels or soft cotton T-shirts minimize friction and reduce frizz and breakage for silver and chemically treated hair compared with regular bath towels. A wide-tooth comb used in the shower detangles gently and preserves strand integrity after lightening. Invest in a professional-grade ceramic or tourmaline heat tool with smart temperature control to prevent yellowing or burning. Avoid DIY bleaching and chemical straightening treatments on bleached or silver hair because they can melt, break, or permanently discolor fragile strands. Common mistakes include wrong product choices, overuse of purple shampoo or high-protein masks, and heat styling without protection. Hair loss needs a multilayered approach.

Read at www.theguardian.com