Thinning hair: 5 factors linked to hair loss
Our founder, Dr. Julie Pernet, pharmacist & trichologist, recently gave an interview to ELLE on the topic of thinning hair and solutions to address it. Discover the article here!
Thinning hair affects about 40% of women from the age of 40. Fortunately, it's not inevitable, and solutions exist to remedy 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 diameter than average, 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 hair becomes thinning, it means there is a loss of density, often due to hair loss or a slowdown in growth."
The 5 factors that lead to hair density 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 about 20% of women according to the CMCC (Expert Center in Hair Medicine and Surgery in Paris). Added to this are hormonal fluctuations related to pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid disorders, which can cause visible density loss."
2. Stress
Dr. Julie Pernet: "Stress can cause telogen effluvium, which is a sudden and diffuse shedding of hair. A large quantity of hair prematurely enters the shedding phase, and the amount of hair lost is abnormally high."
3. Nutritional deficiencies
Dr. Julie Pernet: "A deficiency in iron, zinc, vitamin D, group 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 (fatty fish, sunlight) and omega-3 (vegetable oils, fish). You can also supplement with the right food supplements."
4. Aggressive hair products & colorations
Dr. Julie Pernet: "Chemical colorations, bleaching, and balayage contain oxidizing agents (ammonia, hydrogen peroxide) that open the hair's cuticles. Result: the fiber becomes more fragile, brittle, and the hair loses density. It is therefore essential to prioritize ammonia-free colorations, nourishing post-coloration treatments, gentle shampoos without sulfates or occlusive silicones, and natural masks."
5. Bad styling habits
Dr. Julie Pernet: "The excessive traction of certain hairstyles like buns or ponytails on the follicles can cause traction alopecia, a progressive hair loss that can become irreversible if the follicle is too damaged. Similarly, overly tight elastic bands, metal barrettes, and high-temperature heating tools weaken the hair fiber and accelerate thinning. Always use a heat protectant 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 a suitable hair routine, it's possible to promote regrowth. Several solutions exist: stimulating biotin serums, manual scalp massages or using a dedicated brush to activate blood circulation, a diet rich in essential nutrients, scalp detoxification with suitable products... If density loss persists, more advanced techniques such as hair mesotherapy, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) or even microneedling can stimulate the follicles. The earlier you act, the higher the chances of recovery."
