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Original poster

AIBU to think younger women should not dye grey hair

90 replies

maybenow · 07/12/2011 21:51

I am finding myself growing more and more angry as i discover just how many women in their 30s and 40s feel absolutely compelled to dye their hair to cover any trace of grey.
I'm more angry as news has come of just how poisonous hair dye is! (see: here for e.g.)

I am blonde/red haired so it's not an issue for me, so this might be seen as hypocritical but i just wish SOMEBODY would take a stand and show that grey hairs are totally normal and does not mean that you are ready to draw a pension. If everybody under the age of 60 hides their grey hairs then each woman feels alone and ashamed and that they have to hide them too, even if it means putting their health at risk and subjecting themselves to harsh chemicals.

OP posts:
ZephirineDrouhin · 07/12/2011 22:05

Jesus. I wish I hadn't read that. And yes you're right.

DooinMeCleanin · 07/12/2011 22:03

It's tragic what happened to those two young woman, however it is unrealistic to expect a whole industry to change what they are doing because 1% of the population could be allergic.

The dyes do tell you to do a skin test everytime you use it. Maybe they should be clearer on why and what could go wrong if you don't.

ElderberrySyrup · 07/12/2011 22:01

They shouldn't feel they have to.

I am a SAHM so I can have mine how I like (and I like the grey) but I would definitely think very seriously about doing it if I had a job interview.

Pagwatch · 07/12/2011 22:01

I don't know anyone who feels they have to dye their hair. How peculiar.
I dye mine. Have done since I was about 30 because I like too. Started going grey around 25. I had a section at the front that was almost white which looked kind of cool.
I also don't know women who wear make up because they have to. The women I know that don't like make up don't wear it.

Original poster
maybenow · 07/12/2011 22:01

if your hair die contains PPD then you can become allergic with no warning at all.

OP posts:
AnaisB · 07/12/2011 21:59

I've highlighted my hair since I was 20 because it camouflages the grey hairs and it looks better. I'm not allergic to it so it's safe for me. Surely there are more important things to be angry about.

jasper · 07/12/2011 21:59

I quite like grey hair. Not on me though Grin

jasper · 07/12/2011 21:58

each to their own.

BranchingOut · 07/12/2011 21:58

Well, I think this is a valid issue...and a rather terrifying article.

Don't know what to do about it, though. :(

Original poster
maybenow · 07/12/2011 21:57

if you DO want to, i mean really want to, that's fine, but all my friends who dye theirs 'have to' do it.. and resent it... but feel that they'll be judged if they don't..

i guess it's like women who feel they 'have to' wear make up.. same issue.. men don't 'have to' cover all greys.

OP posts:
HollyGhost · 07/12/2011 21:57

they should not have to

the reality is that we are expected to do it, for most women, signs of aging, are not an advantage when interviewing for new jobs

not everyone is in a position to take a stand, not everyone wants to

Pumpster · 07/12/2011 21:56

If I want to dye mine then I bloody well will thanks...

Original poster
maybenow · 07/12/2011 21:56

well, i don't wear makeup and i wear my hair it's natural mess curliness so i don't think i'd dye my hair if it became an issue (but i just don't think it will with my colouring so i can't make a stand myself)

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 07/12/2011 21:55

Didn't realise this was in the feminist topic

sorry

usualsuspect · 07/12/2011 21:54

When it does become an issue for you ,see how you feel then ...