Inbox: Sep. 24, 2007

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I am 38 years old, and I don't understand what the big deal is over going gray. I've been getting steadily balder since I hit 30, and my remaining hair is turning gray. When I was growing up, my father made and serviced toupees. I thought they were ugly and reflected the wearer's incredible insecurity. I feel the same way about hair dye for men and women. Being who you are rather than putting up some kind of façade shows much stronger character. By all means, dress well, and stay healthy and fit. But dyeing your hair is right up there with dressing like a teenager when you are 40. For those who claim it's different for women, I respectfully reply that it shouldn't be--and perpetuating the supposed difference won't help.

Steve Rummel, Chicago

I read "The Gray Wars" with smug amusement. When my glorious mane of auburn hair started turning gray more than 15 years ago, I tried to maintain it artificially and was mortified by the black-and-purple results. Today I am 51, long divorced, gray-haired and chunky, but I'm still very sexually active. Boomers need to realize that if we fulfill our life expectancy, we will be gray much longer than we were brunet, blond or auburn. Embrace the silver. People will choose to be around you if you are adventurous and love life. You can't buy that in a bottle.

Kathy Pippin, Cookeville, Tenn. MAILBAG Biggest mail getter: Universal national service 76% A government call to service would enrich the nation 24% A government call to service would only violate the definition of volunteerism