This is topic What do ladies with lyme do with their grays? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by prayerworks (Member # 37602) on :
 
I was just wondering .... what do the ladies do to cover their gray hair. I am very hesistant to continue coloring my hair using permanent color because of the heavy toxins. I did some research and did not realize how toxic some of their chemicals in hair dyes are - ppd, ptd, toulene, ammonia, etc.

Quite frankly, lyme or not, now that I know how toxic these chemicals are and that they seep in through the scalp I don't think I will be using the traditional hair dye again.

However, I don't like how my gray is looking. Any suggestions ladies?
 
Posted by debilyn (Member # 35753) on :
 
Great question. I, too, am facing this dilemma. I will wait with you for answers. [Cool]
 
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
 
I do the toxic thing. But I only cover the gray that shows at my root part line. So I limit how much of that toxic stuff I must endure.

I also take tons of chlorella the day of and a couple days after. I just feel 85 and I'm not ready to look it.

My hair stylist and I are in the process of finding some less toxic stuff. But I'm dark headed and my grays are the thick stubborn kind.

So maybe someone will come along and suggest something for us that is less toxic. Otherwise we going to look as we feel. [shake]

Pam
 
Posted by soccermama (Member # 35101) on :
 
I have been wondering that myself. I have not cut or colored my hair since I became sick.

My hair has gotten so long and grey in spots. It doesn't do much for my self-image.
 
Posted by Larae30 (Member # 35220) on :
 
I do not have grays yet, but I dyed my hair using dye from a health food store that does not have all the toxins that regular hair dye has. You could also look into henna.
 
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
 
i don't do a thing. i earned every one of those puppies and i'm keeping them.

i can tell you exactly when i got each of them too!!
 
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
 
I dye my grays. I have not found less toxic products that I am happy with.

I do A LOT to help my body detox EVERY SINGLE DAY, so I've given myself a pass in this area. I'm so careful about everything else I put on or in my body, and I've just decided to not worry about the hair dye. I'm not willing to live with the grays.
 
Posted by RC1 (Member # 31923) on :
 
I color it! When I was really sick I didn't really care about how bad I looked, and went the longest in-between appts. that I ever had in my life, I had like two inches of gray roots...pretty [Wink]
There are toxins in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. What's a little more going to matter.
 
Posted by MamaBear11 (Member # 25116) on :
 
An old Thai woman I knew used to color her hair naturally.

She mixed together an egg yolk, coffee grounds & baby oil; rubbed it all throughout her hair, put on a shower cap & slept overnight with it in. Rinsed it out in the morning in the shower

It made her gray hair the neatest orangey-brown color. She didn't shampoo as often as we typically do, so as to not wash out the color.

It's different, but maybe worth a try?
 
Posted by GiGi (Member # 259) on :
 
I feel like 120 if I don't cover the gray. Have been using Henna for many years. About twenty years ago, I used one of the "better ones" still with chmical ingredients and I had a weeping head and ears for longer than a months. Of course at that time I was still very toxic from root canals and toxic metals.

To this day, after having all metals removed from my mouth in 1998, one month after I started treatment with Dr. K., I am still detoxing nickle, cadmium and a few others. Up to just recently, I was mostly detoxing hg-1 and hg-2 (different forms of mercury from amalgams) and pb lead that seems to never end. The body stores lead in the bones and that takes a long time. They definitely are leaving in layers and the way my hair picks up the hair dye (from only henna), the color results are sometimes much deeper at times and not as deep other times.

We are a living organism from toenails to the last millimeter of hair. I just sent in a hair sample to Doctor's Data to see what shows up after all the DMPS and HMD.

I often shampoo my hair with an egg yoke. My mom used to blop one on us when we as kids were still all in the bathtub. She had the most beautiful hair and mine only looses its sheen when I bring a lot of metals through the hair and out. I can tell my bad hairday that way, but I also know that I am releasing toxic metals through the hair.

I only use the one henna brand - Light Mountain.
Red first for about half an hour and then my natural color- chestnut. That covers the gray nicely.

Interesting Thai woman recipe, MamaBear11.

Hold on to vanity! That and Jane Fonda's Walkout keeps me on the move!
 
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
 
My mother had lymphoma. I believe she got it from using black hair dye. There was a class action lawsuit about it in the 1980's. You have to be careful about cosmetics. They aren't regulated like food is... Which is not saying much.

I don't have a big problem with gray hair. I like it. I agree with randibear - to me they are a sign of wisdom. I'd rather spend the extra money on good moisturizer & healthy food.

You may want to try taking iodine...? I heard that it can restore hair color but I don't know for sure.

I'm not sure why women have to go through all this stuff about appearing youthful. It's a shame that our culture only values youth & beauty in women. I feel really good about myself in some ways now - moreso than when I was 20. I just wish I wasn't so ill.
 
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
 
fyi -

http://tinyurl.com/beautiful-gray-hair

http://isabellasnow.hubpages.com/hub/Beauty_Tips_For_Women__Gray_Hair_Is_Sexy_
 
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
 
So far I am blessed to only have a few gray hairs, but like my mom I will keep it natural. Nothing wrong with gray hair in my opinion.

Now I will worry if it falls out like some other older women I know!

Hiker53
 
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
 
I use Tints of Nature which I get at Whole Foods. It has some chemicals, but not as much as the regular kind.

It covers the gray pretty well.
 
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
 
Regular mayonnaise is great for your hair
 
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
 
A tbs. or 2 of vinegar in some water &/or beer also make good rinses. Rosemary tea & quassia chips are good, too.

fyi - http://www.ehow.com/list_7162689_herbs-hair-color.html

Argan oil is great in conditioner. It made my hair really soft.
 
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
 
The dark dyes are said to be worse.
 
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
 
I dye mine. I feel alot better when I look good.
 
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
 
I guess the thing I think about is that dyed hair doesn't look "normal" with the skin tone in alot of cases. It always looks fake to me. That's just me, though...

It reminds me of a phrase... "mutton dressed as lamb". I'm not trying to be insulting - it's just what I think about. It seems kind of a superficial way to look younger.

If more actors would let their hair go natural - it would probably change people's attitudes about aging. Everyone has to make their own decisions. "If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad..." as Sheryl Crow says.

I dyed my hair once a long time ago & it burned my scalp. That was it. I used to use henna alot just because it was fun. I haven't done it in a while since it's alot of work & my back hurts. I'm not one to suffer for the sake of fashion.
 
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
 
I used henna and indigo for a few years until it started drying my hair out. I then started using the nonpermanent hair dyes like our mothers and grandmothers used to do that would wash out with each shampoo. That was working well for me until I got sick - and coloring my own hair was too tiring for me.

I am allergic to most hair dyes (except for the rinses). I had started to let my gray grow out and it did not look too bad, except my vanity took over when my daughter got married. I was already feeling poorly and looking worn, so I decided to go to a color consultant who highlighted my hair, leaving some of the grays in. This way, I can go a longer time in between coloring and it looks somewhat more natural.

The dye never touches my scalp. So hopefully, is less toxic to me that way. I may go back to my natural gray at some point in the near future. By the way, thanks for those websites with all of the beautiful women with gray locks, sparkle!

I think with gray hair, half the battle is keeping your hair conditioned and shiny. Coconut oil may help with this. If I could look as good as those women in the photos, it would not be too hard to convince me to go gray!
 
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
 
There's a kind of hair coloring called Balayage. It might be OK if they don't get it on the scalp too much. It has some interesting effects. I like dye from a creative point of view - like when people do interesting techniques but I've never been one to actually do it. It can get expensive...

I thnk the concept of gray hair needs to be rethought. People are living longer & just because one is over 50 doesn't make a person in-valid. I guess men feel this way about baldness.

Some men look good bald. To me, confidence is sexier than trying to hid something that is inevidable or genetic.
 
Posted by KentuckyWoman (Member # 38894) on :
 
This is a great topic Prayerworks. I have been on the verge of a decision to stop coloring my hair.

I didn't realize all the toxin issues though.. Are the dyes and temp colors the same toxicity?

I have only used the temp ones. My husband wants me to quit coloring, but it makes ME feel better. I am proud of my age (47) and tell myself that at age 50 I will quit. Yeah, I keep telling myself that. :-)
 
Posted by cozynana (Member # 34270) on :
 
I just let my hair grey. Regular dying used to make me breakout bigtime. I would rather be well, than worry about the color of my hair.
 
Posted by Karen Mc (Member # 23354) on :
 
Sparkle, My very best friend also had lymphoma... Unfortuanty she lost her battle about 3 yrs ago..anyway..they never could figure out how/why she got it..as it didnt run in her family...anyway, after her passing I heard the report linking it to the black hair dye and I immediately thought of her as she used to color her hair using black dye. I often think ofthat and can't help but wonder. [Frown]
 
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
 
Yes, there was a class action suit against black hair dye in the 1980's (if I recall correctly). It's a known carcinogen. I have no idea if it was take off the market.

It's not worth the risk in my opinion... I don't want to tell anyone how to think or what to do but it just seems like a superficial thing. I can understand how people may want to have fun with their hair or try new things but if it toxic... that's kind of a no brainer.

Having confidence & feeling good about yourself comes from within. If you need a prop - get some nice new shoes or a new dress or a natural product facial/massage, etc.

I know it's a big psych thing but you can't stop the clock. I've seen some photos of beautiful men & women who don't color their hair. It is possible to be beautiful with gray, salt & pepper, silver or white hair.
 
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
 
It's trendy...

http://www.venuslovesvirgo.com/2012/03/hair-trend-color-me-white-streak-me.html

HAIR TREND ALERT-GLAMOROUS GRANNY...?

One of the most dreaded turning points for women right next to turning the big 40 and soft fine lines starting to creep up around the eyes are the gorgeous locks of youth showing the first signs of turning gray.

While most women can accept this turning point with dignified grace as another phase of natural beauty, others run straight to the salon for the earliest hair color appointment they can book.

Apparently now the young Hollywood glam girls such as the likes of Kelly Osbourne along with runway hair stylists are turning the golden girl look into the hottest fashionable hair trend. From celebrities, runway shows, magazine editorials right down to street style coloring your hair gray is the hottest thing to do.

This trend is incorporated in several ways
Full hair entirely colored white
Full hair entirely colored gray
Hair streaked white
Hair streaked gray
Gray streaks on black hair
Gray streaks on blonde hair
Candy Colored hair with gray streaks (ex. lilac/gray, blue/gray, etc...)
Gray hair with candy colored streaks

---

Alot of hot guys have gray hair, too...
 
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
 
fyi -

Hair dye could cause cancer - and brunettes are at greater risk

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-18662/Hair-dye-cause-cancer--brunettes-greater-risk.html
 
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
 
As I am chemical sensitive, I've thought I've had no option but to let my hair do what it's going to do naturally. I don't mind.
 
Posted by ESG (Member # 4816) on :
 
I wear my hair with pride - I earned it! It is who I am and it is quite attractive, you just change your wardrobe colors to enhance the new beauty of you hair color.

On the other hand I started getting grey hairs early in life and was not about to stink up my life or poison myself.

You cannot change the passage of time so why poison yourself pretending otherwise? Change your philosophy, not your hair color [Smile]
 
Posted by prayerworks (Member # 37602) on :
 
Ladies you are the best! Sparkle great links. Kentucky Woman I too am 47 with quite a lot of grays. At first it was getting me down, but I am starting to take a liking to it. I mean think about it, why do we women risk our health with such horrible chemicals for the sake of vanity. I don't see many men running to hide their grays.

Maybe a modern cut that doesn't make the grey look so draggy may be in order for me.
 
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
-
It's not grey - it's a beautiful silver. A precious thing, indeed. A silver frame to a beautiful face can be very beautiful.

Not only will the cells in your lungs, heart and brain (and liver, too) thank you . . . the water system will be safer for plants, fish, animals and us with less toxic waste dumped from our sinks.

It's just impossible to filter all that back out of the water table. We wind up drinking & eating it (through plants, animals & fish).
-
 
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
-
HENNA, however, may be something you'd like to explore. But I'm not sure all are as pure as they should be. Some can contain lead or other heavy metals.
-
 
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
 
OK - I'm a little late to this party, but I can't resist ...

KUDOS to the ladies who wear their grey proudly!

I am one who always thought hair color was fake looking and brash - and believe me, here in metro NY, it is "de riguere!" Even teenagers do it regularly.

So when I started getting silver streaks through my dishwater blonde in my early 40s, I said "EF it"... I don't like the chemicals, and I sure wasn't excited about the EXPENSE, but Oh my sisters, did I take some FLACK!

My Mom was particularly annoying for a while, constantly reminding me that "I'm too young to have a daughter that looks as old as you." (!!!) But for the decades I was around when she used her L'Oreal, I sure could NOT stand the STINK!

I always wondered how anyone could abide that smell on their heads for days or weeks! Kinda reminded me of the days when Mom would submit her 3 daughters to their bi-yearly PERMANENTS! Yuch!

One sister gave me a box of "natural" Clairol for Christmas one year, "as a joke" (yeah right).

Then a cousin's wife, years later, started on me about how I would "look so much younger" if I colored my hair.

When I told her it was highly suspected that this was how Jackie Kennedy got lymphoma, she admitted, she never knew of this risk. And the folks here who have commented that "brunette" shades are suspected of causing this incurable lymph cancer, are absolutely correct about this.

By my early 50s I had turned 98% Platinum! And I have to say that I have been pleasantly surprised more than once, when I have been stopped on the street by a younger woman who wants to tell me, "I love your hair!"

It's virgin, and it's healthy, and it swings when I walk.

My boyfriend, who is 7 years younger, loves it. He says it makes men do a "double take" that I am white haired, but my face defies that image.

When you "go with the flow" that nature (and your parent's genes) had meant for you to have, your skin and eye colors are in sync. But there's an interesting switch, in that some of the colors you might never have worn when you were younger, are colors that compliment now.

I suggest that if you are going to spend $$$ on hair care, get a great cut - concentrate on good natural shampoos and conditioners, and take pride in the fact that you have learned some things in life! [Wink]
 
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
-
Consider salt & pepper, nature's highlighting.

Consider silver the new blonde.

Now, it may be that a clarifying shampoo is in order to be sure the shine comes through.

Actually, most likely due to decades of herbal supplements, at nearly 60, I have zero gray and wish for it so as to replicate the blonde highlights of my younger days - before I understood about chemical damage.

A naturopathic doctor could advise on which herbs would be safe to help hair retain color.

I recall when I used to highlight that, certain herbs would make my hair resist the bleaching process and turn dark within a week or two. Amazing it was. Ho Shou Wu is just one herb that comes to mind but it has some cautions, so a ND really is best to advise.

Not that I've been much of a domestic goddess (at least until MCS clobbered me and I had to learn the basics without chemicals) . . . but I always admired HELOISE's demeanor and energy - and hair.

She's had a stunning silver mane since a young adult (as has Phil Donahue). It's looked great on them for years. EmmyLou Harris. Steve Martin. All stunning, indeed.

http://www.heloise.com/

Heloise - note her stunning looks


http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2012/08/11/emmylou-harris-launches-woofstock-to-help-rescue-dogs/

Emmylou Harris looks so amazing
-
 
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
-
http://www.naturalnews.com/028709_gray_hair_He_Shou_Wu.html

Reverse Gray Hair with He Shou Wu (also spelled Ho Shou Wu)


From "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook" (Tillotson, et.al.):

http://oneearthherbs.squarespace.com/important-herbs/shou-wu-root-polygonum-multiflorum-ho-shou-wu.html

SHOU WO ROOT - (Tillotson, et.al)


http://www.itmonline.org/results.htm?cx=002245100010442291864%3Av3bhxoxu6ee&q=Ho+Shou+Wo&sa=Search&cof=FORID%3A11&siteurl=www.itmonline.org%2F&ref=&ss=4607j1289841j25

Institute of Traditional Medicine article Search: Ho Shou Wu


Below, the formula that I was taking for years for adrenal support (and it helped very much with that as well as helped to prevent seizures for me).

When taking this, it was nearly impossible for my hair to hold onto blonde highlights. Then I (wisely) just gave up putting chemicals on my hair and into my lungs).

http://www.acuatlanta.net/sheng-tablets-p-25937.html?gclid=CO-947TLn7MCFcaDQgodGywAgA

Pine Mountain - SHENG FA TABLETS


Still, best to consult a ND or acupuncturist. Nourishment and circulation may be the issue (along with genetics, of course).

I still want my hair to start turning lighter - NOW. Silver can be quite lively and brighten up any face. New colors can be worn to accentuate.
-
 
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
-
prayerworks,

Hair color may now be the least of your concerns.

Hurricane Sandy likely clobbered your home as the news report are that all islands in your area got hit hard. Hope you are okay but my guess is that you won't be reading this for a while.

Take care to all in Sandy's path, or aftermath.
-
 
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
 
My Mom was prematurely gray. Her hair was snow white by the time she was 50, and it was beautiful; she got compliments on it all the time.

Lots of people thought she was my grandmother, but she didn't let it bother her, just took it in stride.
 
Posted by farraday (Member # 21494) on :
 
My hair is thick and rich despite the wear and tear of years of antibiotics. I go to a Paul Mitchell salon where they use first rate products and I go to a senior stylist. I only use products they recommend.

People compliment me so often on how well I look. A neighbor who hadn't seen me for a year said "Wow, you look beautiful! Really beautiful!" I was bowled over. I hadn't heard that in many years. My husband asked why I was surprised. He said he always thinks I am beautiful. But he's biased! [Smile]

I highly recommend getting your hair cared for by professionals. It is my one and only treat...I get it done about 4 times a year. It does wonders for my morale.

No one has any idea how old I am. I think part of it is that I think young, I care about my appearance and I continually learn new things and develop new interests.

Self esteem is a big part of healing. Go get your hair done!!!
 
Posted by pug7 (Member # 36995) on :
 
I looked at this thread out of curiosity and was stunned. No offense to anyone, I just had no idea that so many people feel that gray is unattractive somehow. Or that self- esteem could be affected by gray hair. Or that so many actually dye their hair.

I love being 61. I just wish I were healthier, and hair dye sure wouldn't help with that. I care about my appearance: having gray hair doesn't mean I don't care how I look.

Perhaps if more people didn't dye hair, everyone could feel better about going gray. Where do these attitudes come from? Advertising and media?

The one problem I have found is that potential employers react to gray hair. Again, if the large proportion of older people who work would go natural, then this would no longer be a problem.

I actually think brown or blonde hair on people who are, say, 75, is grotesque.
 
Posted by GiGi (Member # 259) on :
 
I will be 81 in another months with beautiful Henna brown hair that shines and a great haircut. I still can get off the couch and the floor without assistance or weak limbs, have successfully put Lyme behind me and do my mile speed walk most mornings without losing a beat or breath. In fact, just having gotten up, that is what I am going to do right now -- and then I love and enjoy my breakfast with everything God provides -- my daily apple, pancakes with sweet butter and real maple syrup
and a cup of fresh brewed coffee!

What's grotesque about this??????
 
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
 
I love silver or white hair, especially on youngish people. It is striking. But I admit I feel old and unkept when my roots show. It makes me feel worse than I feel. I think the problem is more the line of growing out color than the gray.

Hair is so personal.
 
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
-
GiGi,

What brand of HENNA would you suggest? I've read that some can be contaminated with heavy metals so I'd love to know the best brand to avoid that.

A touch of Chestnut HENNA might be nice as my hair has not turned silver yet but is dulling.

To soften a remark above by another poster, for all the women who use HENNA that I've seen, it looks great and is a complement to their faces - and not fake or off kilter as I think they meant by Some of the chemical dyes.

Would this one be good? Sure sounds good.

http://shopsuryabrasil.com/hennacream.aspx

SURYA HENNA

Excerpt from one hue (cream copper):

NO ammonia

NO PPD

NO parabens

NO peroxide

NO resorcinol

NO heavy metals

NO artificial fragrance

NO mineral oils

NO GMO`S

NO animal testing

NO animal ingredients

-- However, taking a closer look, the last line of ingredients for nearly each one list some DYES. Confusing. If the dyes come from plants, I wonder why they add a Dye that has a number to it? More to learn, I guess.

The dyes seem to be on the CREAM products, not on the powder ones I've looked at, though.

Of concern, though:

http://www.amazon.com/Surya-Henna-Brown-Cream-Ounces/dp/B0007DHMH4

Surya Henna � at Amazon

One customer review:

Great Color but NOT "all natural"!! February 28, 2007

By thinking out loud

First, be warned that this is NOT a nice, super-safe, all natural herbal henna hair color! The advertising and packaging are very misleading.

The main ingredients in this preparation are Ethoxydiglicol (helps the dye penetrate the hair shaft), which is NOT recognized as safe in Europe and even worse is the Methylpyrrolidone which is an industrial solvent! . . . (end excerpt)

- - but that was written in 2007. There may have been some changes but I'm out of steam on this.

GiGi, I hope you can post the brand you prefer.

Thanks
-

[ 10-28-2012, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
 
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
 
Keebler, when I used to use henna (also indigo to make it more brown than red), I ordered from http://www.mehndiskinart.com/

No metals added - only pure henna and indigo. I also used to use amla powder with my mixture. Over time, the henna darkened my hair too much as it was difficult to just do the roots.

I loved how shiny and thick it made my hair, though.
 
Posted by GiGi (Member # 259) on :
 
Keebler, your soft tone does my old soul good!

This is what I use and have used for many years.
http://www.light-mountain-hair-color.com/
I buy a box for five dollars and a few pennies and use half of it about every six weeks. I do red first - just piling it on so it covers everything. Rinse off. Then I use my natural color - chestnut.

Printed on the box the following ---
"Ingredients: Chestnut Henna (Indigoferae folium and Lawsonia inermis) and Nothing Else."

I learned to test what I use in and on my body.
And during more difficult years, Dr. K. used to "ART"-test all things I used, including make-up, even bra and clothing.

I got to his office one day many years ago with a totally blocked autonomic nervous system, and since it takes an unblocked system to be able to do energetic testing, he was trying to open my system and could not. If the system is blocked, the body gives the wrong and usually opposite answer of what it can tolerate even if it needs it.

He could not open me until he tested my bra and clothing I was wearing. My beloved totally white haired husband was with me. He used to carry me to that office! Turns out that my bra blocked my regulation and also a wonderful green silk blouse I was wearing. He called his assistant to wrap me up with a sheet, asked my husband to take me home and bring me back later after the last patient with several sets of clothing and bras that he could test to make sure I was not allergic to and I could start to heal. If the body is in blocked regulation, healing does not happen!

So Jack took me home and brought me back with several sets of clothing and Dr. K. tested me.

I have never forgotten that and am forever grateful because that was a strong factor in my being able to get well again. At a later time, I learned to test myself.

Everything that we can see, feel, smell, touch ---carries a frequency. If it does not resonate as acceptable to the body, it will block the regulation, and the body goes into sort of a standstill. I can feel it exactly when I am blocked. It is not a good condition to be in and sometimes it takes months and years to be able to stay open most the time, and it is a real art for a doctor to find the actual culprit that blocks the patient. The doctor really has to use his own intuition and training to find what is blocking. It can be an old scar that throws the electric system into a spin! Scars need to be treated and made normal for the body to be able not to limp along lopsided and running on all cylinders. It's like a short in the wiring. We are electromagnetic creatures.

So have the products tested or learn to test them yourself after having learned to open your autonomic nervous system.

End of lecture.

We can be allergic to the heat, the air, the cleanest water, etc. etc. etc. and the best supplement and the best organically grown food, when our toxic load is too great.

We are not sick. We are toxic.

Take care, Keebler and all.
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
I'm 61+ yrs old and have basically no gray hair. Thanks, Mom and Dad!! It's funny, but I had a few (like 5) about a year ago and now I have none. Wonder what I did right?

PS .. I don't intend to ever cover my gray when it finally comes my way.

[ 10-28-2012, 09:18 PM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
 
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
 
I am going to try the henna. I only have about 15% gray and it is right where I part my hair.

Can't control everything but I will not look like an old lady just because of hair color. I work hard to keep the rest of me looking good and healthy even if I am not yet!

Black hair with spots of gray does not always make you age gracefully. I color with dark brown and no one has any idea. I never get all of it so some grays stick out and looks more authentic.

I got my first gray hair when I was 26 years old just after the birth of my second child, which was a boy, that had to be it!!!!
 
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
 
I am very jealous of you Lymetoo!! I started going gray in my 20's. The last beautician that did my color estimated that I am 85% gray and I'm not even old!

I never did the henna. I go to the salon every 3-4 months or so to get my roots done. In between I use the root touch-up dyes from CVS.

I can't worry about everything. I do my best to control our environment and what we eat.

But I am waaaay too vain to subject myself to living with dull gray hair. Some young women look great with silvery/white hair. My hair isn't like that at all.

I feel old beyond my years because of life circumstances and that is bad enough. I certainly don't have to look older than I am because of premature graying! So I will continue going to the salon a few times a year and touching up my roots myself.

I like to look good and I am vain and I don't have a problem admitting that. I don't want my hair to be gray, so I color it. I don't want my skin to sag so I use potions and lotions. I don't want my complexion to be uneven so I apply foundation and powder. I want to hide my belly so I wear "foundation" garments. I don't want my fingernails to crack and split so I get manicures where acrylic is applied to my nails. I apply eyebrow pencil to the areas where my natural eyebrows have thinned so my expression looks more like me. I could go on and on. I do these things solely for ME because I have a NEED to feel good about myself and my appearance. My husband barely notices and couldn't care less, which is a good thing.
 
Posted by GiGi (Member # 259) on :
 
A bit of vanity after miserable years of Lyme is a very healthy thing! I enjoy every minute of doing something for myself, and meeting the outside world away from Lymenet is a very positive experience. A smile at others always brings a smile back! Do what makes you feel good and let others do what they want too!
 
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
 
I'm a silver haired lady. I guess I'm still somewhat salt/pepper but really white in front. I stopped coloring my hair in 2007, I think. But I had been wanting to "go grey" for quite a while - just wasn't ready for a super short "do".

I LOVE IT.

My twin (also a Lymie) still colors her hair.

I think you should do what you need to do to feel good about yourself - as long as you detox, etc.

There are some no/low toxic permanent colors out there and some salons specialize in them but I think they are fairly espensive.

A little bit of vanity never hurt anyone!
 
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
 
i used to work with a woman who had the most gorgeous grey hair. and she was fairly young at the time. i always loved it.

grey hair is much better than seeing these old wrinkled women who have dirty or stringy long hair. yuck....

like my sister in law. she looks awful with this long frizzy hair. she says "oh i wore this in high school and i looked so good"

yeah, but honey you're 65, way overweight, don't wear any makeup, and you're hair is goshawful mix of reddish dirty greyish dry frizzy stuff that looks like straw and that you haven't seen conditioner in over a century!!!

grey hair can be beautiful but for pete's sake, take care of it!! surely people can afford shampoo or conditioner...

and i know some will disagree, but there ARE people who don't look good with long hair at our age.
 
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
-
It's important to remember that "old wrinkled women who have dirty and stringy long hair" may not have the resources for it to be any other way.

It takes physical energy, physical ability, and resources to maintain one's appearance. Not everyone can do that. I just went 5 full days without a shower due to major skin rashes. Had anyone seen me, I would have been mortified.

As for a nice haircut, those with "long stringy" hair may not be able to afford a haircut or go into even a low cost salon.

I've not been able to go into any business in four years. No longer can afford to have someone come to my home to cut my hair (minimum $50. for that) . . . so, through sheer luck, I've been able to cut my own hair 4 times with okay results.

It takes me all day, each time, and I have to rest on the bathroom floor on and off - barely able to vacuum up and shower after all that - but I'd guess that most who can't afford or can't go into a salon might not be as lucky as I have been with scissors and my razor in hands that go numb.

It's an adventure. Never know what the end result will be but that's the exciting part. Mostly, I just need to get it from irritating me so I keep it short.

Yep, I just take that razor to the back and go to town, giving, "shag" or "layered cut" a whole new meaning. I could use a better mirror system as most of this is just doing it "blind" but some angel of home haircuts must be with me.

Still, they style aside. As common with lyme, et.al.,

Many times, I have to decide between energy for preparing a meal or a shower.

So, it may be easy to assume women with dirty or stringy hair may have just let themselves slide but I know that is not the case (even if it appears so and even if they seem to have just given up, is that not the effect of ill health?)

For many, just skipping one day can be too much. My hair needs daily washing to keep from getting oily. But my body can't handle that and bending over a sink is a sure way for me to pass out. My guess it that may be the same for other women who appear to "let themselves go."

Defending all who may be misjudged. We can't know the truths of anyone else's life. Ever.

I have also learned that not everyone can have clean clothes.

For those who need help with laundry (and whose hands won't allow wringing or hand-washing of clothes in the sink), they may only be able to afford such help once every month or two.

I have to limit the clothes I wear as the person I hire every 6 or 8 weeks can only carry so much to the laundry room, down stairs and quite a distance.

So, I understand now more about others whom I've misjudged in the past. I'm sure there are many out there who can't afford to hire anyone at all. And, for many the criteria to getting any help is if they can "toilet" themselves or not. If so, no matter what else, they are on their own.

We just can't know.
-

[ 10-30-2012, 07:10 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
I think it also depends upon HOW you gray. My mother's never looked "bad." It was just interspersed with her brown hair. She never went completely gray and she died at age 81.

If mine will look like hers, I'm not going to change it. (I say) [Wink]

I realized not long ago that a photo of her at age 59 showed almost completely brown hair. (didn't realize her age in that pic until recently)
 
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
 
My sil has a job and works full time. And she doesn't have Lyme. So she can afford haircuts and shampoo.

Sorry but i disagree. I've been poor, dirt poor. Raised in the mountains of tennessee where all we had was rain wAter and lye soap. But we never ever went dirty.

Ive gone maybe 2 days without a shower. I just cant stand it. I admit ive gone out lots of time with no makeup but I'm clean.

I've seen women and teenagers buying tons of stuff in Walmart so there's no excuse. If they can afford beer
And cigarettes then they can afford soap. And
If they've got enough energy to be out shopping then they have energy to shower.

I'm not talking bout sick people cause I am one. But as
Bad as I feel I'm clean when I go out.
 
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
 
gigi, certainly wasn't meaning to insult you, young 81 yr old. I'm 55 and I don't want to feel 100 and look 100.

Shouldn't insult anyone with that number. [Big Grin]

My hair dresser told me my "silver" is not the pretty headed colors. Some people have beautiful silver/gray and I'm not going to be one of those. Of well.

Toxic for now
Pam
 
Posted by lymenotlite (Member # 33166) on :
 
A friend of mine had quite a bit of gray hair. She started taking iodine drops and most of it has turned back to dark.
 
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
 
I just came across this and remembered this thread in case someone is interested.

http://www.herbatintusa.com/herbatint.aspx
 
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
 
lymenotlite -

I've heard the same thing about copper restoring hair color - and women need copper as we lose it every month - but it's a tricky thing to supplement IMHO. Too much can actually be dangerous.

PoconoLyme -

I think this is the natural brand that is sold at Whole Foods Market. If I wanted to color, I would certainly give this type of product a try.
 
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
 
quote:

The one problem I have found is that potential employers react to gray hair. Again, if the large proportion of older people who work would go natural, then this would no longer be a problem. [/QB]

Unfortunately, I believe you are correct on this. Walk into a job interview with a shining head of silver, and some personnel managers get this look on their face like they just can't imagine WHAT on earth you must be thinking!

Honestly, I think the tie-dyed hot pink streaks (matched with the obligatory tatoos) are more accepted around here than someone who has decided to go natural. (But as I said, hair color is a real "culture" here in metro NY.)

Kind of sad that the "beauty industry" has made so many people feel uncomfortable about themselves. (But it's all about some faceless executive's bottom line.)
 


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