I (have) had a "Hair turning prematurely gray problem"

[Macator2003]

I'm a fan of Roger, Rick and Marilyn (CHUM FM) and was listening about a month ago. Marilyn let the listeners know that something had changed about Rick and that she liked the new Rick. He sheepishly admitted to having his hair coloured to get rid of that Gray. He would have been laughed out of the building about 10 years ago. Nowadays its not a big deal. I'm mid fourties and going gray over the last couple of years. I have been experimenting with products such as Grecian Formula for a year or two. The problem is that you are not suppose to shampoo for a week after applying them and I like to shampoo every day. Therefore they don't work for me.

After hearing about Rick, I rushed out to the nearest Shoppers Drug Mart and picked up a pack of Miss Clairol's "Nice and Easy". And it was Nice and Easy, no ammonia, and its suppose to last for about 6-8 weeks. The colour was very close to my natural shade, but the gray is gone (except for a little by the sideburns). This was about 3 weeks ago and nobody at work has chastized me too badly. It appears what was totally unacceptable 10 or 15 years ago, is now acceptable. When you look at Men's personal hygiene products over the last 2- 4 years, there has been a marked (read explosive) increase in sales. Twenty or thirty years ago, the only thing my dad bought was after-shave cologne. Now there's anti-aging creams, pills to make you last longer, make you bigger, special shampoos and conditioners to make your hair more manageable, thicker, etc. etc.

For the rest of you guys in your fourties (or even fifties) with a headful of gray, as the ad says "Don't be chicken", give it a try. We are only as old as we feel (and look).

 

[newguy27]

Good for you.

Just curious...i always though that the men's products would be easier to use and cheaper (given the more discerning market). Aside form the hair-washing thing, did you notice any difference, quality-wise, between the Grecian formula and the Nice and Easy?

 

[Macator2003]

Never really liked the way my hair felt after using Grecian Formula (I've tried the original and the newer foam applicators). It was kinda greasy to the touch. I keep my hair fairly short (compared to when I was in my twenties at least).

Before I used Nice & Easy, I was thinking -Its time for a haircut. Once I'd used N&E the need for a haircut vanished. They use some quality type conditioners and give you a tube of Aloe Vera that should be applied once a week.

Ya know I still associate with friends that I went to school with and work with people either slightly older or younger. Many of the guys just don't (or didn't take care of themselves when they were younger). They eat lots O fast food, drink too much, smoke like a chimney, don't work out AND its now starting to show. They look old.

Take care of your body and it will pay you back with big dividends Guys.

 

[r2d2]

grey hair

I have been using Just For Men recently and I find it works great. It is very easy to use and you actually shower it out when you are finished applying it. One little tip. Do not mix it all in one shot. Just mix half of it. I have fairly long hair and I find that half is plenty. This way you will get two dye jobs for the price of one. Do not mix it all together with the intent of using half now and half later. Once it is mixed it does not last long and will lose its effectiveness

 

[Asterix]

The only problem with this is once you start you can't stop. Imagine everyone's shock if in a few years down the road you decided to quit and became completely grey in a couple of weeks.

 

[Alexis69]

ive been dying my hair since i was allowed heres some advice
get it done professionally at first if you havent encountered this experience before it can get messy plus if you miss a little spot in the back -oh boy
its not much at all for men if you want it really reasonable try out the students at a hair acadamy and they do it for under 20 bucks (normally what it cost) they used to charge me 190 buckeroos to 260 because of my length at my salon these gals did it there for 70 bucks noone knows the difference infact i like it better go figure ! haha another recomendation for guys is getting like highlights in the dark color so it dosent look so dominantly dark (not crazy streaks lol) im taking natural minimun highlights so it does look natural very light most guys i know do this but will never admit it from what my girlfriend says who was a hairdresser or if all else fails get an Sp in your area to do it topless to take the edge off lol hope it helps !

 

[a 1 player]

I have never tried because I used to keep my hair super short and would probably have to dye it every few days or so. Now I just shave my head. Can N&E be used on beards? That is where my grey is really showing.

 

[Alexis69]

bald heads are good they feel great on ones thighs lol
she says you can buy special dyes for beards moustache dont use a reg dye! that wont burn such as regular dyes and do a hair strand test incase it comes out the wrong color now that could be a nightmare ! good luck

 

[Speedo]

Now I just shave my head. Can N&E be used on beards? That is where my grey is really showing.

I was losing my hair, so I've also gone the head-shave route. I tried JFM on my beard but it burned my skin terribly. So the beard is now also gone.

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

My experience.

I started to dye my hair about a year ago, people tell me that look 10 years younger than I realy am. ( after I dyed my hair )
I find that the dye does not last 4 to 6 weeks, after 2 weeks the white roots start to show. (especialy if you have darker hair) So what I do is once every week i mix up a very small quantity of the dye and comb it in the roots. You can get maybe 5 or 6 root colorings out of one package of hair dye.
There is one thing I would like to find out, you know how women say it is discrimination for them to be charges $30 for a hair cut when men get their hair cut for $15? I would like to know if women get twice as much hair dye as men do for a lower price, just because they have longer hair.

 

[AMWBT]

Hair colour

I started going grey when I was 19 years old, (damn genetics,) and I have really delicate hair, so I've tried a lot of different products. My advice would be, don't cheap out. N&E is fine, I guess, but I think you're a lot better off paying extra for something that's easier on your hair and scalp. Also, if you don't like that obvious regrowth, try one of the water based formulas, (like Clairol Hydrience,) of course the grey comes back, but not in that obvious line, much more subtle.

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

If you hair is dry or dull after the coloring, then apply some CITRI SHINE or FRIZZEZZE when after you shampoo. It is also a good idea to alternate the brands each time you dye you hair, so that you hair does not get saturated with the same stuff every time.

 

[Dev0]

Hey Maurice! 2 minutes for lookin so good!

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

I'm mid fourties and going gray over the last couple of years.

For the rest of you guys in your fourties (or even fifties) with a headful of gray, as the ad says "Don't be chicken", give it a try. We are only as old as we feel (and look).

I am in my early 30'a and approx 25% gray.. I will not colour it as it is not something I feel I need to hide.. I see some other guys who are receding or balding.. and I think to myself.. "I bet they wish they that they had more hair, so that they could worry about it turning gray!"

 

[Macator2003]

Good point WhOiSyOdAdDy?

You'd think with all the breakthroughs in medical science, they would come up with a cure for baldness.

 

[dudemeister]

Couple of comments

I have been doing same in my late 40's, side burns are first to show grey as coloring wears out at about 2-3 week stage. If golfing or sun bathing nude a lot in the sun, wear a hat (for your head) or be prepared to wash out color in 2 weeks or less. I only get it down professionally then its consistent, and I am in and out with haricut (short hair) for approx. $50. For work makes you look younger which can be an advantage these days. hell all the ladies my age have been color treating hair for years.

One point not covered yet if dying your hair use a different shampoo that is good for color treated hair (more moisturizer/conditioner than detergent in it) and stay away from shampoo and conditioner combined types. Buy good shampoo. You may find your hair is dryer and can use a product like that contains moisturizer. I found a good product called: Matix Biolage and the one for colored hair with moisterizer is excellent from First Choice salon. A full litre and half for about $22 but often sold at $14. Refreshing and protects colored hair. Otherwise check Shoppers Drug Mart or other drug stores for quality products at $6-8 a bottle.