My 1st grey hair and all that follows

In April this year Gary and I had the fortune of going to Miami & St Martin on the annual work incentive trip.  Going away without kids makes me feel many things.  Some are not so wonderful like the anxiety, worry, missing them etc.  Some are brilliant.  I feel young, a whole lot more sexy, I feel like half of a couple, adventurous, I feel like the person I used to be only better.  

So there I am, dressed in summery pretty holiday gear and putting cream on my face when I notice a thick grey hair on my head.  Me, GREY!   On closer inspection the hair had 2 friends and I had to pull them out.  Being thicker, they hurt more than my fine and shiny regular hair.  I know many people go grey really early, especially people with dark or curly hair.  Me being blonde or mouse most of my life , not so much.
I felt pretty crap about it actually and minded more than I thought I would.  Older, I am getting older and my prime time is behind me.   It made me stop and examine other parts of my face and body and they too were moving South.  I know it is inevitable and I have had a good long 38 years but still, it is hard.  When I look at old grannies, they are invisible.  Heads do not turn when they walk in a room.  I am not saying heads always have when I do walk in (Lord forbid that I should be so vain!) but yes, on the odd occasion when I actually make an effort and we are out somewhere, I do have the odd head whip around and it does feel nice to have that little affirmation. 

After a day or 2 of introspection I pulled my aging self towards myself, had stern words and changed my attitude.  'Melanie, stop being so vain and shallow.  Yes you are getting older, everyone else is too.  You can still be healthy, you just have to take care of yourself.   Dress cleverly, you like longer skirts anyway and thanks to Colleen (B*tch!) you now know those wrinkly knees will need to be covered.  And also, remember when you are 60 you will look at photos of yourself now at 38 and think, damn.. I was young and gorg so WHY was I already moaning that I was old then???'
Fine, attitude adjustment taken care of, wardrobe sort and turf done.   I actually need to colour my hair still and am supposed to be wearing make up every day and making an effort.  I will do my hair next week, promise.  I hate the HOURS that I have to sit there.  Seems like a huge waste of time.   I am a little tempted to use colour out the box.  Does anyone?  Is it dreadful for your hair?  Will I be sorry?   What would I use?   

Yikes, 7.43!  I have to be at the hospital soon for BB.  My grounding moment in life when I see what is really important and what people have to go through.  Will do a BB report back soon and tell you how the baby clothes drive is going.

Comments

[summer]

I have seen so many pic of you and you look stunning, grey hair and all so dont let any negative thoughts get to you and as you say, enjoy the here and now and in 30 years time you will look back at it all and go: wow !!!
Keep up the good work!

[Tracey]

I have gracefully inherited grey hair from my dad..both my brothers and myself started going grey by 23! For my brothers its ok...for me not so.

I do use box colour, and I use a colour treated quality shampoo, conditioner and I back it up with a hair creme and heat styling treatment...I suggest speaking to your hairdresser and they will advise you which brand is best suited to your hair.

[Tiah]

My first grey hair showed up last year - at 30!, so you are doing very well.

Do you really need to colour all your hair? Box colour sounds a bit extreme and can be hard on your hair - what about a few subtle highlights? Leave the full on dye job till you have more than a few random strays.

[Jeanne]

I can't remember when I spotted my first grey hair - probably sometime in my early 30s?? But it was just 1 and easy to pull out. Now, it has established a little colony of friends, annoyingly at the exact spot where my fringe meets the rest of my hair - so nice and visible!! I have dyed my hair in some way or another since I was about 20 - first blonde highlights, more recently dark chocolatey brown (just a shade richer than my natural brown). I know there is much debate on the ethics of dyeing your hair, that people say you are in denial if you don't love and embrace your grey hair. I say BULL. I figure I owe it to hubby not to look like a little old grey lady just yet (if ever - my mom went to her grave with a full head of dyed red hair and it did her no harm at all!!).

I bite the bullet and have mone professionally done (by a nice South African girl here in London, nogal!) - I have long hair and don't want to risk screwing it up at home. I use proper colour-treated hair shampoo and treatments at home, so I don't need to go more than 3 times a year (even if for the last month before the appointment you can see the greys...).

Would agree with a previous commenter - go for highlights as an interim measure rather than the whole enchilada.

[dawnielle]

Ok, my impending 40th has me in fits wondering when I'll spot my first. I check almost daily. I think I might have found one in my eyebrows. Not sure. Maybe instead of a whole box of color you can just use a marker???? I mean, the girls could do that for you, ja no? The good thing is that everyone you know is getting older simultaneously so they won't notice :)

[KES]

I am still 22 and don't think I've ever once turned a head walking into a room (except my husband's). You're a pretty hot 38 year old, especially considering you are also a mom. :)

[angel]

I dress for work, and I put makeup on every day. And I love to dress up for my sweet Glugster...
But I must say- you look incredible!

[Hair greying]

Greying of hair is melanin production inhibition in the root of the hair. Not only adults, even children of eight years also face this problem of greying of hair. It may be due to genetic predisposition or many are exposed to second hand smoke, low haemoglobin. Children suffering from blood cancer, HIV, thyroid, undergoing chemotherapy, who has vitamin B12 deficiency, experience hair greying. It may also be it due protein-vitamin mineral nutritional supplements or normal ageing process.