Hair and body: Incorporate ALAENA care into your daily ritual

Dr. Sylvie Peres: We have developed the Bathroom Collection to care for the body and hair, thereby completing the Alaena range.

This line, composed of a Body & Hair Cleansing Gel, a Conditioner, a Body Lotion, and a Liquid Hand Soap, offers a wonderful sensory experience thanks to our signature scent. The formulation standards remain as rigorous as ever with the Ecocert Cosmos Organic label, and production takes place in the Southwest of France.

What is the role of the COMPLEX G5® in this new body & hair range?

To ensure it meets the needs of the scalp, we have modified our patented active ingredient. It should be noted that hair is 95% keratin, which protects it against UV rays, seawater, and other external aggressive factors. 80% of hair mass is due to the presence of proteins (amino acid polymers), the main one being keratin, which is composed of 18 amino acids.

These proteins contain a high level of sulfur-containing amino acids, mainly cysteine, which form disulfide bridges between molecules, giving the whole structure its rigidity. Human hair consists of 14% cysteine, and it is very common to be deficient in this molecule. We have therefore gathered in our Complex G5® the active ingredients necessary for healthy hair, to promote growth as well as hydration.

The active ingredients in the Complex G5®:

Wheat germ: Contains 30% protein, particularly cystine, B-group vitamins, and zinc. It also contains vitamin E with antioxidant power: "which limits the accelerated aging of scalp cells and may help prevent the appearance of dandruff."

Oats: By closing the cuticles, they help limit frizz and make hair shiny and soft. They are also recommended for fine hair as they provide volume. They are also excellent for irritated scalps, helping to soothe irritation, itching, and dandruff.

Soy: Promotes hair growth, particularly thanks to the lysine it contains.

Flax and chia combine to provide lignans that stimulate hair growth, while omega-3s, mucilages, and antioxidants complete the benefits.

How did you meet the challenge of formulating a cleanser for all hair types?

Dr. Sylvie Peres: In our daily lives or after sports activities, we tend to wash our hair often. Bad weather, air conditioning, heating, and age cause the hair shaft to dry out, while stress and pollution increase seborrhea.

Our patented protein-rich active ingredient repairs keratin to hydrate all hair types. It is combined with gentle surfactants that respect the hair's pH, making it suitable for sensitive and/or irritated scalps. It is completed with burdock, radish root ferment, rosemary, and chamomile, which regulate seborrhea and cleanse the scalp, for those with imbalanced scalps.

A gentle formula without essential oils or endocrine disruptors that is suitable for the whole family.

How to treat an irritated scalp (itching, dandruff, etc.)?

This often recurring problem is very annoying and is sometimes associated with red, scaly patches on the eyebrows, sides of the nose, or even the sternum: this is seborrheic dermatitis, which flares up during times of stress and fatigue. Dysbiosis is often to blame, so it is necessary to treat the underlying condition and check the balance of vitamins B and D, magnesium, and zinc.

Our range, with its soothing and sanitizing active ingredients, will help the scalp regain balance.
However, in cases of severe psoriasis, specific treatments will be necessary.

Can you wash your hair every day?

Dr. Sylvie Peres: I always say that it is better to wash your hair often than to let it get greasy.

Do all hair types need a conditioner?

Dr. Sylvie Peres: I think everyone is in a position to judge whether or not they appreciate applying a complementary treatment after shampooing. If your hair is soft and shiny after washing, it is not necessary.

Our Conditioner has been formulated with active ingredients that will nourish the hair shaft to smooth the scales and thus restore shine to the hair.

How long should you leave the conditioner in?

The application time will depend on the hair type. The drier and more damaged it is, the longer the application time should be. For normal to oily hair, 5 minutes on the lengths and ends will suffice.

Can the conditioner be applied as a leave-in treatment and/or a mask?

Of course! Generally, in the shower, we don't take the time to let the active ingredients penetrate. For very damaged hair (end of summer, menopause, post-chemotherapy, etc.), I recommend applying it to unwashed hair, leaving it on overnight, or applying it for half an hour to an hour before shampooing.

Is unhealthy hair, like skin, a reflection of an internal imbalance?

Absolutely. In our dermatological practice, when faced with a hair problem (thin, dull hair, hair loss), we look for issues related to the thyroid, iron, protein deficiency, lipids—especially omega-3s—or vitamins, particularly group B. Be careful, for various reasons, people cut out fats, sugars, or animal proteins. Deficiencies appear, and the hair is the first to suffer.

Which foods should you prioritize for healthy hair?

Autumn is here with its hair loss! Let's remember that nothing can stop hair from falling out. Hair lasts longer in summer; in autumn, due to changes in light and temperature, the cycle regulates itself and hair falls out more. The only possible action: provide all the nutrients for optimal regrowth. Be careful, for good reasons, people cut out animal proteins. Some low-calorie diets skip lipids, which are nevertheless essential for the formation of good-quality sebum capable of protecting the hair fiber. In the event of deficiencies, the hair is the first to suffer!

Eggs: To accelerate regrowth, their proteins are very well assimilated by the body. They also contain B-group vitamins, including B5, called Bepanthen, which increases hair density and accelerates growth. It acts in synergy with biotin, a deficiency of which can accelerate hair loss. Finally, eggs contain other elements useful for hair growth, such as sulfur, which is involved in cementing keratin proteins. They also provide lecithins that promote the absorption of omegas.
Eggs also contain vitamin D, which is rarely found in food: it has been shown that this vitamin plays a fundamental role in the hair development phase (Anagen Phase).

Legumes: Highly recommended for improving the health of our hair. Combined with grains, this is THE source of protein, iron, and B vitamins. Soak them well to release these molecules and maintain a healthy microbiota. Let us remember that our gut, skin, and scalp microbiotas are linked.

Omega-3 EPA DHA: More than 8 out of 10 French people are thought to lack EPA and DHA, two long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids found in oily fish. The human body can convert short-chain omega-3s named ALA (found in plants) into long-chain omega-3s named EPA and DHA, but this conversion is low, ranging from 0.2 to 21% for EPA and 0 to 9% for DHA. Yet these are essential components of cell membranes, including those of the scalp, because they promote good hair hydration and strengthen hair mass. While all oily fish are sources of omega-3, small ones (sardines or mackerel) are less contaminated than predators like tuna or salmon.

Iron: Plays a central role in oxygen transport to the scalp. It nourishes the matrix that produces hair and is also involved in keratin. For all those who reduce animal proteins, the solution is microalgae. Consume 3 to 4 spirulina tablets daily, along with EPA/DHA from the same source, for protein, iron, and omega-3s.

Brewer's yeast: This specific yeast contains a high percentage of biotin; it participates in the metabolic processes of forming amino acids, and therefore the proteins of our hair.

Zinc: Even if it is found in nuts and whole grains, it is mainly present in meat and fish, and a vegetarian or vegan diet rarely meets our needs.

Vitamin B12: Participates in the construction of blood cells and regulates the body's sebum production. Furthermore, this vitamin reconstitutes the hydrolipidic film that coats the hair shaft, which is essential for hair because it participates in the keratin formation process.

Vitamin C+A: Orange fruits. Winter or summer, they are all good for the beauty and health of hair. Vitamin C actively fights against free radicals (the main culprits of premature cell aging) that can weaken hair. Additionally, they contain beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A, which participates in the synthesis of keratin.

For a treat, dark chocolate will be a good ally in promoting regrowth, as the magnesium it contains is anti-stress and regulates sebum.

Is there an adjustment period when switching to a natural hair ritual?

Dr. Sylvie Peres: "It is true that when moving from a shampoo/conditioner containing silicone, one must prepare for a transition period. Conventional shampoos contain silicones and derivatives that serve to coat the hair to make it shine. But silicones suffocate the hair without repairing it because this 'silicone sheath' is very occlusive: not only does it suffocate the hair, but it prevents the penetration of active ingredients needed to repair it deeply.

When you wash your hair with a natural product, you get rid of the excess silicone as you continue to shampoo.

And as it disappears, the true nature of your hair appears. Rest assured, this period does not last, and patience is rewarded because once freed from this silicone coating and other chemical additives, the hair regains its vitality, grows in full health, and recovers its natural radiance.

What is the difference between body lotion and body balm?

The Body Lotion is intended for daily use to keep the skin well-hydrated. As always at Alaena, we advise varying textures to offer the skin the biodiversity it needs to be healthy. The Summer Garden Radiance Balm is a rich treatment, composed of plant oils and waxes, to treat dry to very dry skin in alternation with the Body Lotion. Its fluid and light texture, rich in plant oils (apricot, cherry, jojoba, plum), strengthens the skin barrier.

Discover the Bathroom Collection