Going Gray

 

The dismissal of Lisa LaFlamme from her anchor role on CTV, which many suggest stems from sexism and ageism (and her decision to let her hair go gray), has made me reflect on my own decision to go gray.

Luckily, I am out of the workforce so repercussions are not an issue.

The advantages for me in allowing my gray to grow out are numerous:

1) I was spending a lot of money every 5-6 weeks to keep my hair dyed professionally. (Those over-the-counter dyes are too messy and difficult);

2) I was enduring the long, annoying process while listening to my long-time hairdresser espouse views that more and more did not align with mine on practically everything!  (She was good at her job though);

3) I can't help but wonder if hair dyes are harmful to one's health in the long run.

I am also trying to grow my hair longer than it ever has been.  This has not worked out the way I had hoped because I need it to grow long enough to cut off the remaining dyed part and still have it long.  I only recently learned that the maximum length our hair will grow is genetically determined for each individual.  I have cut off two inches to see if it will start to grow again.

Also, on the topic of age and hair, older women are often pressured by society into cutting their hair short.

Long hair at this age has advantages:

1) If you have the right scissors, you can pretty much cut it yourself;

2) If your hair is thinning on top, you can brush it back from your forehead to cover the exposed scalp;

3) Speaking of foreheads, if you have long bangs, they will cover a wrinkled brow (and be a great substitute for Botox);

4) If you wear your hair in a "half pony tail" (hair from the temples is pulled back and up to form a small pony tail which hangs down over the longer hair), and you pull it tight enough, you get an instant face-lifting effect.:-)

I am not sure why society frowns on older women with long hair.  Is it that long hair is considered sensual and we are not supposed to be sensual beings any longer?!  A female friend of mine also admonishes older women who wear short skirts. When I suggested that that idea was being put in our heads by society, she responded: "well, older women should act their age".  I think she made my point for me.  Who dictates what "acting our age" entails?