YOUR PROBLEM: My graying hair makes me look 15 years older than I am

by Rodney Cutler As told to Jennifer Kim

RODNEY'S SOLUTION: Simple-dye it. And if you're apprehensive, don't be. Thanks to improved technology, which makes for drastically shorter dyeing time and greater subtlety, a huge number of men are turning to color jobs. I'd say 25 percent of my male clientele dye their hair.

You probably even know a couple guys who do it, and you have no idea because modern dyes camouflage the gray rather than completely cover it. And it's no longer the humiliating process that you might imagine: sitting with a bunch of women in smocks under the drying cone for 45 minutes with a pound of foil on your head. It's just a ten-minute rinse at the washbasin.

You'll pay anywhere from $25 to $300 for color. And I think getting it done once every two haircuts should be plenty. At my salon, we use a dye that fades out gradually over time, so you'll never end up with a harsh root line. The best thing about these dyes is that they blend in color but still leave a little bit of gray for a natural look.

I strongly recommend getting your hair dyed at a salon, but if you must do it at home, a great product that I've found is Clairol Natural Instincts ($8; clairol.com). When you're picking your color, remember: Most people think their hair is darker than it really is. So make your choice, then put it back on the shelf and grab one shade lighter. Expect to leave the dye in for a little less than the recommended time if you have fine hair. And although I don't suggest going against the instructions, no matter how long you leave it in, it's difficult to overdye your hair. Unless, of course, you're Wayne Newton.

Rodney Cutler is the owner of the Cutler salons in New York City and an Ironman triathlete.

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