Live and Let Dye?

I may be dyeing today. 

Or not.

Take heart, y’all, I speak in terms of hair color, not morbidity.

After all, I do aim for this effort to be informational yet light-hearted, if not arguably humorous.

Hey, my kid thinks I’m funny, so there. 

Sure, I brought him into the world and all but otherwise he’s TOTALLY objective.
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I can hear your eyes rolling from here, people. 

Hmph. 

I digress.

According to “Aging Healthy Today,” in the quest for youthful vibrancy, more and more women over the age of 50 are considering ceasing to dye their hair.

Don’t even get me started on how men tend to look better with age while women look forward to graying hair, wrinkles, an overall general state of sagginess and various other menopause-induced joys … but that’s another blog for another day, y’all. 

Still, I can’t help but give a little precursory grrrrrrr therein.

Back to the matter at hand, er, head.

It’s fair to note that ripe old PK resembles that ancient bracket of gals contemplating opting out of hair artistry.
Again, being well ensconced into decade numero cinco, I thought I might be well-equipped to weigh in on the Miky Way (of sorts) sprouting from atop this not-so-heavenly body o’ mine – and those who share such a state.

Sure, as a person who found her first gray at the ripe old age of 19, I’ve been coloring my world, as it were, for quite some time now.

But I’m getting old…and tired. And I, too, find myself wondering if I want to keep fighting Mother Nature on this particular front? 

Heck, many superstar actresses, singers, models and the like are kicking the bottle these days. The one with the hair color solution in it, to be clear.

Jamie Lee Curtis, Diane Keaton, Patricia Heaton. Even Sarah Jessica Parker. They all did it, why can’t I?

To dye or not to dye, that is the question. 

I suppose this takes us back to the fore-mentioned article. 

Again, it asserts that an inordinate number of women who once dyed their hair with reckless abandon are now making a U-turn on “go away gray” highway, so to speak. 

Good idea? Perhaps.

As we cross the 50-year threshold, our hair undergoes tremendous transformations. Some of this tress distress includes but is not necessarily limited to:

-The strands often become thinner, drier, and more brittle, making them susceptible to damage. PK note: Yep, my brush looks remarkably like half a set of fuzzy slippers these days.

-The natural pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually diminishes so dyeing hair at 50-plus can result in unexpected colors or textures. Such an altered hair structure may not hold the dye as well or could lead to uneven coloration, requiring more frequent and potentially damaging treatments. PK note: As a woman who sported her first gray hair at age 20, I can attest that what was once a monthly anti-white wash is now a bi-weekly bugger.

-Hair dyes are laden with chemicals like ammonia, peroxide, and paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which can be harsh on the scalp and hair. The incidence of allergic reactions to hair dye tends to increase with age. Older individuals often develop a heightened sensitivity to hair dyes. Symptoms can range from mild itchiness and redness to severe swelling and blistering via allergic reactions. PK note: While trying to look savvy, one time I literally needed to apply salve to my scalded scalp. Seriously. As if I needed more incentive to kick the dyeing habit. Ouch and heavy sigh. 

The piece also stated that gentler alternatives abound. For instance, natural dyes, such as henna, offer a less harmful way to alter hair color, as they typically do not contain ammonia or peroxide. Said options can also condition and strengthen hair, providing a healthier sheen and texture but may not cover grays as thorough or last as long.
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Basically, they’re a safer but less reliable bet.

Ugh.

Well, now the choice is as clear as my rinse water after a home dye job.

Meh.

Let’s just say the jury is still out. But they did at least pick me up some Preference by L’Oreal. Wink wink.

To all my fellow 50-something gals out there, always remember that you are beautiful just as you are. 

PK’s got your back. And your back-up color rinse, too, just in case. 

​Hugs to all!

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