Are you losing your hair in handfuls? You are not alone. Nearly two million French women are affected by alopecia

Why do we lose our hair?

The hair grows for about six years in women, and lives for a few days before entering the death phase (known as telogen ) - which lasts several weeks to several months - before the hair loss. We have about 100,000 hairs on our skulls, and we lose between 60 and 100 a day, which ensures renewal without mass loss. But it happens that the hair begins to fall suddenly and diffusely, exceeding this threshold of 100 per day - useless to count, and acute hair loss is noticed, especially in the shower, explain the doctors. It can be due to many factors, without it being pathological.

Thus, in spring and even more so in autumn, the hair falls like dead leaves. This seasonal fall, which is completely normal, corresponds to the hormonal impact of variations in luminosity and does not exceed six weeks. Maternity also has consequences on hair loss: artificially maintained in the bulb during pregnancy, they are more numerous in the telogen phase with childbirth. One in two women is affected by postpartum alopecia. Do not panic: we find its hair capital in the year

Temporary hair loss: how to prevent it?

We cannot stop the natural phenomena of seasonal or postpartum alopecia, but we can anticipate them. "Without guaranteeing miraculous results, certain cocktails of B vitamins, zinc, and sulfur amino acids (cysteine ​​and methionine), for example at Physio or Forcapil, will strengthen the root and activate micro-circulation at the level of the bulb", explains Gersende Moysan, hair specialist at the Center Clauderer. You have to take these food supplements continuously for two to three months beforehand and follow the cure to the end.

Daily, we adopt a healthy lifestyle: "The colors, locks or straightening house can damage the roots. I advise you to return to natural hair, and to basic products: an anti-hair loss shampoo, it does not exist ." We, therefore, prefer shampoos with mild cleansing agents purchased in drugstores, such as Furterer or Vichy.


When should we be worried?

When hair loss, brutal, settles outside the temporary phenomena, it becomes pathological. Alopecia can be the result of a physical change (diet, illness, taking certain medications) as well as a psychological change (period of stress, depression, etc. ). More rarely, to a psycho-emotional shock. It is then necessary to consult a dermatologist quickly.

How to react?

A blood test can identify a possible thyroid disorder or deficiency. We then dose iron, zinc, and folate (vitamins B9), which the doctor will supplement by prescribing the appropriate nutrients. A Trichogramma, that is to say, a study of the roots under the microscope, also makes it possible to determine the causes of alopecia.

To stimulate the hair follicle and rebalance the vital functions of the hair, you can turn to dermo-cosmetic spray treatments, to be massaged into the scalp. It is found in Ducray (based on tetrapeptides) or Klorane (quinine and caffeine). The only imperative is to be patient: there will be no results before 4 months of treatment.

Why do we lose our hair?

The hair grows for about six years in women, and lives for a few days before entering the death phase (known as telogen ) - which lasts several weeks to several months - before the hair loss. We have about 100,000 hairs on our skulls, and we lose between 60 and 100 a day, which ensures renewal without mass loss. But it happens that the hair begins to fall suddenly and diffusely, exceeding this threshold of 100 per day - useless to count, and acute hair loss is noticed, especially in the shower, explain the doctors. It can be due to many factors, without it being pathological.

Thus, in spring and even more so in autumn, the hair falls like dead leaves. This seasonal fall, which is completely normal, corresponds to the hormonal impact of variations in luminosity and does not exceed six weeks.

Maternity also has consequences on hair loss: artificially maintained in the bulb during pregnancy, they are more numerous in the telogen phase with childbirth. One in two women is affected by postpartum alopecia. Do not panic: we find its hair capital in the year.

Temporary hair loss: how to prevent it?

We cannot stop the natural phenomena of seasonal or postpartum alopecia, but we can anticipate them. "Without guaranteeing miraculous results, certain cocktails of B vitamins, zinc, and sulfur amino acids (cysteine ​​and methionine), for example at Physio or Forcapil, will strengthen the root and activate micro-circulation at the level of the bulb", explains Gersende Moysan, hair specialist at the Center Clauderer. You have to take these food supplements continuously for two to three months beforehand and follow the cure to the end.

Daily, we adopt a healthy lifestyle: "The colors, locks or straightening house can damage the roots. I advise you to return to natural hair, and to basic products: an anti-hair loss shampoo, it does not exist ." We, therefore, prefer shampoos with mild cleansing agents purchased in drugstores, such as Furterer or Vichy.

When should we be worried?

When hair loss, brutal, settles outside the temporary phenomena, it becomes pathological. Alopecia can be the result of a physical change (diet, illness, taking certain medications) as well as a psychological change (period of stress, depression, etc. ). More rarely, to a psycho-emotional shock. It is then necessary to consult a dermatologist quickly.

How to react?

A blood test can identify a possible thyroid disorder or deficiency. We then dose iron, zinc, and folate (vitamins B9), which the doctor will supplement by prescribing the appropriate nutrients. A Trichogramma, that is to say, a study of the roots under the microscope, also makes it possible to determine the causes of alopecia.

To stimulate the hair follicle and rebalance the vital functions of the hair, you can turn to dermo-cosmetic spray treatments, to be massaged into the scalp. It is found in Ducray (based on tetrapeptides) or Klorane (quinine and caffeine). The only imperative is to be patient: there will be no results before 4 months of treatment.

Alopecia areata, seborrheic dermatitis... Pathologies to take into account

Some diseases have the effect of blocking hair growth. In the case of alopecia areata, the hair follicle unpredictably suspends its activityMalassezia, creating patches of baldness on isolated areas of the scalp. The treatments prescribed, such as local corticosteroid therapy, aim to make the white blood cells that attack the follicle disappear.

Characterized by dandruff and pink patches covered with crusts, seborrheic dermatitis is due to the proliferation of a fungus, Malassezia, which colonizes oily scalps. Treatments can reduce dermatitis, but not cure it: if an anti-dandruff shampoo is not enough, a treatment lotion, based on antifungals and anti-inflammatories, will be indicated.

The special case of chronic hair loss

Much more common (85% of cases), chronic alopecia is worrying because of its inevitable aspect: the hair is gradually thinning, specifically on the top of the head. This scourge depends on both hormonal hyperactivity and a hereditary predisposition: if your mothers, grandmothers, or aunts are affected, there is little chance that you will escape it.

Minoxidil 2% or 5% (Alopexy for example) has long been proven. But the treatment (for life and not reimbursed) is binding: the lotion is applied twice a day, which can leave the hair greasy and cause hypervelocity. In the case of chronic hair loss, we, therefore, consult our doctor who will determine the appropriate treatment.

Hair transplant, last resort

Hair transplantation is the last option to consider, as it is quite restrictive and expensive: around 4000 euros for the procedure. A strip is taken from the scalp under local anesthesia and then cut into units that contain one to four hairs. These implants are then inserted by micro-incision in the area to be covered, while the removed part is sewn up, leaving a fine scar. The transplanted hair does not grow back immediately, but the improvement is final after one year.