Hey there gals, I’m 47 and lost my hair to chemo last fall / winter. I had a wig that looked great but really hated wearing it. I found some old vintage scarves that really looked attractive and wore them as they were much more comfortable and had many hats.
My hair pretty much grew back the normal texture and waviness. I know some women have super curly hair. I had a white downy fuzz for several weeks. My friends and family couldn’t keep their hands off because it was so soft. Ha!
The color that grew back was my natural gray but blotchy. Not all over gray yet. Most of my friends were surprised. They hadn’t realized that I had been coloring my hair for years. Which is a compliment to my stylist I suppose. She’s very good with color, so that’s what we did again as soon as it was long enough.
But I have decided that the next time I loose my hair to chemo will be an excellent time to let it grow back and not color it. I’ve already alerted my stylist. She’s much younger than I am and didn’t quite understand why I would want to do that. Funny thing is the cute stylist in the chair next to her has gone gray and looks fabulous!! As I pointed out to her. So, we have a plan. And if that plan doesn’t work I’m ready to cut it all short and work it out some other way. I’ll give my stylist the book and together we’ll come up with something. I just think I’ll feel so free when I’m au naturel. Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 12/08 at 09:03 AM

Hi there everyone.  I did it.  I chopped off all my dyed hair.  I’ve spent the last year messing around with temporary hair color, which wasn’t as temporary as I thought.  Even the stuff that’s supposed to wash out in 6 shampoos was turning my beautiful white hair a nasty orange-brown color.  Yuck.  So, 9 days ago I cut it all off.  It’s only about 1/2” long right now.  I look like Mr. Peanut Head, but I don’t care.  No more hair color for me.  The first thing I noticed was how cold my head gets when I go outside (I live in Chicago).  So I bought some cute hats.  Also, my glasses look enormous right now.  My husband isn’t keen on such short hair (nor am I), but he loves the new silver hair.  I’m 44 and my hair is almost entirely white.  I had no idea.  I’ve been covering my gray since my early 20’s.  I knew there was a lot, but I didn’t realize it was so WHITE!  I love the color.  My mother, on the other hand, is having a fit.  She’s not old enough to have a daughter with gray hair.  That’s a giggle.  I guess she thinks she’s fooling everyone into believing that she’s not in her 60’s.  It’s kind of a giggle.  And I have to admit, I feel kind of superior.  Like I’m onto something that she hasn’t figured out yet.  I don’t know why I’d feel smug with my Mom, but I have to admit that I do.  Anyway, I’m on my way and I can’t wait until my hair grows back.  I’m glad I found this site.  It’s nice to know there are other women, like myself, who are doing the same thing.  I had no idea… It’s almost like a movement.  I also recently saw a woman on a talk show.  She was spouting off about how awful she thinks it is that so many women are “letting themselves go” and not coloring their hair.  She thought it was just tragic, all the gray hair she’s been seeing.  I think she was hired by L’Oreal or Clairol or something.

Posted by lisagreen on 02/26 at 12:13 PM

Congratulations! I did the same thing 2 weeks ago-- cut off my shoulder length curly hair that I’ve been coloring for 18 years! I’m actually getting lots of compliments on the short hair and the so-far salt and pepper (once all the color grows out, I think it’ll be white in the front at least). I’m 48, and I’m wondering if my 72 year old dad will feel the same as your mom. My grown kids think I’m brave. You care too-- keep it up! 

Posted by Runner on 03/09 at 08:48 PM

You ARE too, I mean…

Posted by Runner on 03/09 at 09:42 PM