ObjectiveTo determine the various factors contributing to what Caucasian women describe as fine hair'. MethodsThree complementary approaches were used, namely self-evaluation by the volunteer, assessment by a sensorial expert and instrumental measurements, in order to determine some of the possible parameters taken into account by Caucasian women when they describe the notion of fine hair. One hundred fifty one women of Caucasian origin participated in the study. They varied in age, and varied in that some considered themselves as having fine hair, and others not. The instrumental measurements carried out included hair diameter measurements, hair density measurements, hair breakage force, hair flexibility and scalp sebum levels. ResultsFrom six parameters defined initially, four parameters were found to be in common with the three approaches: hair abundance (density), hair thickness, hair resistance and the volume of the hair on the head. The commonly used term body' was only common to self and expert evaluation, whereas the influence of curliness was only common to expert evaluation and instrumental measurements. ConclusionsThis study has shown close agreement between sensorial and instrumental findings, and also illustrates how the women participating can subtly and adequately describe their own hair. It is important to note that the words fine hair' describes a lot more than just physically thin hair fibres. Ageing is an additional factor that clearly impacts certain parameters associated with fine hair' among the volunteers. Resume ObjectifDe determiner les differents facteurs qui gouvernent les termes cheveux fins' souvent employe par les femmes Caucasiennes. MethodesTrois approches complementaires furent utilisees (auto evaluations, jugements sensoriels d'experts et des mesures instrumentales afin de preciser les parametres convergents a ces 3 approches. 151 Femmes Caucasiennes d'ages differents et declarant avoir (ou non) des cheveux fins ont participe a l'etude. Les mesures instrumentales comprenaient la determination du diametre du cheveu, la densite de cheveux, la resistance du cheveu a la traction, sa flexibilite et les taux de sebum presents sur le scalp. ResultatsParmi 6 parametres etudies, 4 sont communs aux trois approches: la densite des cheveux (abondance), le diametre du cheveu et sa resistance a la traction et le volume global de la chevelure. En revanche, le terme courant << corps >> (d'une definition complexe) n'apparait commun qu'evaluations d'experts et l'auto-evaluation des sujets. L'influence de la frisure n'est commune qu'aux mesures instrumentales et les evaluations des experts. ConclusionsL'etude indique non seulement de nombreux accords entre les evaluations sensorielles et les mesures instrumentales, mais souligne aussi la capacite des sujets a decrire leurs cheveux de maniere subtile et precise. Les termes << cheveux fins >> englobent donc d'autres significations que leur seule epaisseur. Le vieillissement impacte clairement certains facteurs associes aux cheveux dits << fins >> parmi les sujets etudies.
