Hello, it is still me, although at Bluelake's suggestion I rid myself of the negative "un" preceeding my name, making my Dream BELIZEable!

I started to notice my gray when I as in my very early 20's, I did not think much of at it that time because my hair was really rather blonde then, and I highlighted my hair already, so it was not very noticable. I also knew gray hair ran in my family as my Dad was 100% gray by the time he was 25! Then as I got older and my hair got naturally darker by the year my gray started to get more noticable. For about 5 years I dyed it religiously, but I always hated the results. My hair would be too dark one time, too brassy the next, I was unhappy dealing with the roots, it just did not feel healthy to be putting all that stuff on my head.

Then several years ago, I had some rather serious medical issues which left open weeping surgical wounds on my chest for several months. This made dying it too risky, as I was not going to chance getting dye into these deep sores! So that is when all the dyed hair began to grow out once and for all and I saw just how gray I was. I have since grown to embrace it.

Occasionally (usually when I have PMS) I think about dying it again, but either my daughter (15 years old) or a friend talks me out of it. I would say I am about 40% gray, but other people tell me it is more like 25%. Most of the SILVER is pretty evenly distributed with a few streaks mostly falling underneath. My hair is a little longer than shoulder length and rather wavy, at present, as I am actually growing it out for Locks of Love at my Hairdressers request. She claims that hair like mine would be valuable? (Yes, they do accept gray hair now, they sell it to raise money) So I figured why not?

Kendall,

That does not sound dumb in the least bit! You may have to put up with a few negative people and their comments, but just deal with them with a sincere smile on your face and a witty (not sarcastically said, but with humor) comeback and you will earn their admiration that you have the confidence to be yourself.

I am honestly very glad that I have not given in to one of my PMS episodes. (where I think of dying my hair) I would probably hate myself if I did, then chop it all off in really really short to get rid of the dyed parts. I figure why be unnatural? I am as God made me. Funny thing is, I take after my Dad and therefore, I am way grayer at 40 than my 65 year old mom, and my mom can not wait for her hair to turn gray!

Best of Luck!

My gray hair started in my 20s. I have left it alone. One thing, though, most of my hair has fallen out (which doesn't really bother me). So, be grateful you've GOT gray hair!

------------------
Jimmy Legs

I live with fear and danger everyday, but sometimes I leave her and go running.......

I'm 31 (female) and I'm getting a bumper crop of gray hair on my head, especially toward the front. I'm not coloring it. I'd like my daughter to know what women actually look like, not what they look like after multiple trips to the salon and/or plastic surgeon. There's some kind of bizarre idea in America that you can only be sexy if you look like you're 22, and I just flat-out disagree with that. I'm gonna rock my grays! (And since I started running, my rear end actually looks way better now than it did when I was 22, so I have the emphasis on taking care of my body and being fit.)

It freaks me out to see so many women on tv who are clearly in their 50's and 60's but have freakishly tight skin and not a hint of gray hair. I feel like I don't even know what a 60-year-old woman is supposed to look like!

My hairdresser is always after me to cover 'em up, or at least to add some highlights to help "distract" from them. I give her my serene little smile and tell her that I'm getting older and that's an okay thing.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by kendallfemtrackrunner:
I'd love to hear from any hairdressers or hair experts who run to put their two cents in.<HR>

There is nothing wrong with coloring your hair; also nothing wrong with not coloring your hair. I know someone who, at 23 had about 50% grey hair. With hair color, she looked 23. She was very happy with her hair color.

The biggest problem with coloring your hair is the difference between the hair that has been colored and the new growth.
But, this can be avoided by using oxidation hair color that doesn't lighten your hair. The non-lightening colors will shampoo out gradually (unless you use black or a dark color) and are you avoid the "root" problem. If you choose a shade that is a couple of shades lighter than your natural hair color, it will look natural. For example, if you have medium brown, use dark blonde. This prevents the non grey hairs from becoming darker and the greys are dyed blonde. This gives you a "tone on tone" effect.

There is another advantage to using light shades to color your hair. Oxidation hair color dyes are sensitizers, similiar to poison ivy. Most of the sensitization reactions occur with dark shades. So by staying with lighter shades one could possibly avoid a sensitization reaction (once you react, you will always react).