Covering gray, losing hair

DCIt sounds like your brothers girlfriend may have more of a problem than just coloring. Coloring can be damageing and result in breakage. However, if her hair is falling out from the roots she could have a medical problem. Hair loss can be caused by outside things like medications and certain environmental factors, or by medical conditions like psoriasis. She should definately ask her doctors opinion!> My brother's girlfriend once had very thick,> long hair. Now, at 43, she's lost so much hair> everyday its getting noticable. At first I thought> it was stress (she recently quit smoking) and> my brother says she always has lost hair. But> I'm now suspecting that her monthly attempts to> cover her grey to look younger (my brother is> 30) with cheaper dyes are taking its toll. Question> 1: Is there a way she can still color and retain> her hair? Question 2: If not, and this is a question> for the ladies, is there a way to help her accept> her grey? Question 3: Is Rogaine a viable option?>> dc

I am not trying to play "dear Abby" but a 13 year difference in age is going to start to show somewhere along the line and this couple will have to face reality. Getting old is one of them. I have been graying since my early 20's. Awhile back I colored my hair because I had some sun discoloration and also silver along the sides of my head that my kids thought would be kewl to see what Mom used to look like before. Well..it did make a huge difference in my age. I had one man think I was my son's sister! My husband kept calling me a 19 year old. Mind you, I had people say I looked many years younger. But it wasn't enough for me to keep at the coloring. I thought the process totally gross. Also, since I have gone through water damage and sun damage, I didn't want to do one more thing to my hair except heal it. I also want to grow old gracefully. This lady you mentioned sounds like she needs to see a doctor if she is experiencing alot of hair loss. I applaud her for quitting smoking.. that would sure be alot of stress. The coloring is a debatable issue. Is she dying her hair or coloring? I know there are people on two sides here that say they have been coloring for years with no damage..but people are different and this lady maybe killing her hair. I do not know anything about Rogaine.. maybe Karen does. I would say this lady needs to talk to a doctor and the best of luck keeping up with such a younger man! Cher~> My brother's girlfriend once had very thick,> long hair. Now, at 43, she's lost so much hair> everyday its getting noticable. At first I thought> it was stress (she recently quit smoking) and> my brother says she always has lost hair. But> I'm now suspecting that her monthly attempts to> cover her grey to look younger (my brother is> 30) with cheaper dyes are taking its toll. Question> 1: Is there a way she can still color and retain> her hair? Question 2: If not, and this is a question> for the ladies, is there a way to help her accept> her grey? Question 3: Is Rogaine a viable option?>> dc