The Inevitable

by Gail
(Hobart, IN U.S.)

This is about a year ago just after a hospitalization..still had color in it, and the bangs are growing out.

I'm 52 and starting to gray around the crown and temple area. My hair is also thinning and falling out...at a pretty fast pace. HELP! I have always "messed" around with my hair, impulsively too. I have gone with highlights, auburn, you name it. But, I will say I have not done anything with my hair in probably the last 4 yrs. I have had it cut about 4 or 5 times, and was very dissatisfied with the results, so I've even backed away from the salon altogether.

I sustained a back injury in 06, and have been on muscle relaxers and painkillers until the doctors decide what to do with me...tests and more tests. Could the meds cause the hair loss? I don't know if you need the name of the meds or not....but I'd rather not unless it will help me.

Okay, I'm totally depressed with the exception that I can put my hair up when impossible. The gray is so drab and dull and I have been pretty much brown/red until about a year ago when I quit all salon care.

What should I do to revive, refresh my hair to feel better. I have olive skin, a sort of round face with a bit of a receding chin. My hair is about shoulder length. Everyone had always loved my hair when it was highlighted, but for obvious reasons I am fearful of bleach, and think that the red should go as well. I'm almost thinking of being like my grandmother who had butt length gray hair...ugh.

I used to look much younger than my age...but since the back injury and the meds I'm looking much older....I need to feel somewhat younger again...not unrealistically though...sorry this is so long, but I'm desparate.

help.....

Comments for
The Inevitable

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 04, 2009

The Inevitable
by: Anonymous

Layered cuts always give the look of fuller more volumous hair..maybe a shorter, soft layered bob. I think it would be cute w/ your features. As for color, lighter shades of auburn or strawberry blonde mix well with grey...no more harsh demarcation line at the roots!!Good luck :)

Jun 04, 2009

Anonymous
by: Gail

Thank you for your comments. I like your ideas for the layers, and the higlights of stawberry blonde sounds really refreshing!
Thanks
Gail

Jun 04, 2009

Anonumous
by: Gail

BYW, after som thought, I wasn't sure if you meant to add gighlights or complete color change? Sorry...I just didn't quite understand. Appreciate your taking the time to comment.
Gail

Jun 04, 2009

renew and revive
by: connie

I can feel your pain about your hair.I have the same root problem,but my hair is thick and fairly healthy...I am older than you however..I suggesthave slightly long layers and a little longer than chin length. that way you can still pull it back if you want...Maybe a light brn.with a few highlights around the front where that pesky newgrowth comes way to fast,I know.Condition well for a couple of weeks and then do you color.The colors and highlighting products are not as harsh as they once were.. Good luck and good health to you in the future.. Keep us informed on what you decide....

Jun 05, 2009

Fine hair
by: Anonymous

I too have fine hair that is perfectly straight, although it is not thin. I am in my mid-50's and have found I like a short style that I can wear a bit messy if I want and that adds to the more volume look to my hair. I think, as we age, long hair that ends up flat is not attractive and tends to make us look even older and saggier! A good short cut with a lesson on how to change the look a bit, might be just the thing! If you like youR face with your hair pulled back, you will like it with short hair. I gave up the coloring my gray a while back and I am glad I did, but a lighter color of highlights, as someone else suggested, will help when the gray roots grow in. Good luck!

Jun 06, 2009

Clarify..not my hair though
by: Gail

Okay, so let me get this straight. Two people have suggested highlights...but I am not too clear on this. It sounds like in one that you mean to color a light brown maybe, with some highlights? In the other though, it sounds like you mean to highlight the gray?

Just wondering, and again I thank you for offering feedback. It helps just to have a plan intact...makes me feel like I'm doing something, and not just sitting here hating my hair:)
Thanks
Gail