Image old

 

Our founder the Dr. Julie Pernet, pharmacist & trichologist, recently gave an interview to ELLE on the subject of thinning hair and solutions to remedy it. Discover the article by here !

 

Thinning hair affects approximately 40% of women by the age of 40. Fortunately, it's not inevitable, and there are solutions to address it, provided you know how to avoid the factors that contribute to this loss of density. Discover Dr. Julie Pernet's advice!

 

 

 

What is the difference between fine hair and thinning hair?

 

Dr. Julie Pernet: "Fine hair has a smaller than average diameter, which makes it more delicate and less voluminous. A person can have a lot of hair even if it's fine. On the other hand, thinning hair concerns hair density: it's the number of hairs per square centimeter. When it becomes thin, it means there's a loss of density, often due to hair loss or slowed growth."

 

 

The 5 factors that lead to hair loss

 

1. Hormones 

 

Dr. Julie Pernet: "Androgens, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), can shorten the hair's life cycle, gradually leading to follicle miniaturization. This phenomenon is particularly observed in androgenic alopecia, which affects approximately 20% of women according to the CMCC (Centre Expert en Médecine et Chirurgie Capillaire de Paris). Added to this are hormonal fluctuations linked to pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid disorders, which can cause a visible loss of density."

 

 

2. The stress

 

Dr. Julie Pernet: "Stress can cause telogen effluvium, which is a sudden and widespread hair loss. A large amount of hair enters the shedding phase prematurely, and the amount of hair lost is abnormally high."

 

 

 

3. Nutritional deficiencies

 

Dr. Julie Pernet: “A deficiency in iron, zinc, vitamin D, B vitamins (especially biotin) or essential amino acids can slow growth and weaken the hair fiber. To promote density, focus on foods rich in protein (meat, fish, legumes), iron (spinach, lentils), zinc (nuts, seafood), vitamin D (oily fish, sun) and omega-3 (vegetable oils, fish). You can also supplement with the right food supplements »

 

 

4. Harsh hair products & colorings

 

Dr. Julie Pernet: “Chemical coloring, bleaching, and highlights contain oxidizing agents (ammonia, hydrogen peroxide) that open the hair cuticles. As a result, the fiber becomes more fragile and brittle, and the hair loses density. It is therefore essential to choose ammonia-free coloring products, nourishing post-coloring treatments, and mild shampoos without sulfates or occlusive silicones and natural masks »

 

 

5. Bad styling habits

 

Dr. Julie Pernet: “Excessive traction of certain hairstyles such as buns or ponytails on the follicles can cause traction alopecia, a gradual loss that can become irreversible if the follicle is too damaged. Similarly, overly tight elastics, metal barrettes, and high-temperature heating appliances weaken the hair fiber and accelerate thinning. Always use a heat-protective treatment before blow-drying to protect the hair fiber as much as possible.

 

 

 

What are the solutions ?

 

Dr. Julie Pernet: "By identifying the underlying cause (stress, deficiencies, hormonal imbalance) and adopting an appropriate hair routine, it is possible to promote regrowth. Several solutions exist: biotin-stimulating serums, manual scalp massages or using a dedicated brush to activate blood circulation, diet rich in essential nutrients, scalp detoxification with suitable products... If the loss of density persists, more advanced techniques such as hair mesotherapy, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) or even microneedling can stimulate follicles. The sooner you act, the higher the chances of recovery.