title: What is a Caucasian 'fine' hair? Comparing instrumental measurements, self-perceptions and assessments from hair experts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the various factors contributing to what Caucasian women describe as 'fine hair'.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This 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.
authors.affiliation: L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, 11-13 rue Dora Maar, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bouabbache
authors.affiliation: L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, 11-13 rue Dora Maar, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galliano
authors.affiliation: L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, 11-13 rue Dora Maar, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Littaye
authors.affiliation: L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, 11-13 rue Dora Maar, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leportier
authors.affiliation: L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, 11-13 rue Dora Maar, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pouradier
authors.affiliation: L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, 11-13 rue Dora Maar, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gillot
authors.affiliation: L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, 11-13 rue Dora Maar, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panhard
authors.affiliation: L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, 11-13 rue Dora Maar, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Loussouarn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: consumer; fine hair; hair growth/Hair biology; instrumental evaluation; sensorial