The Inevitable

by Gail
(Hobart, IN U.S.)

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.....