Dyeing to look young

In a world where image is everything, ageing gracefully is the last thing in the mind of a few old folks

For years, matters of beauty have been women’s affair as they are the ones expected to look good for their men. Women are known to fight back their age by all means sometimes involving the use of makeup and wearing different hairstyles all aimed at fighting any signs of ageing.

But times have changed and men have not been left behind. Gone are the days when men were proud of their salt-and-pepper hair, also a symbol of wisdom.

Wise or not, old folks of today have refused to age gracefully. They visit beauty parlours just as women and get hair colour, Botox and do facials if only to give them the very much needed youthful glow.

Differentiating genuine from fake old folks is now a very slippery task. From wearing fashionable clothes to hair dyeing; the list goes on. Some men have opted for these measures as their weapons for resisting the uncomfortable signs of ageing.

With society’s highlighting youthfulness as a mark of beauty for women, men have also found themselves under pressure to look young. 

Andrew Munissi has been dyeing his hair since he was 38; something he feels has helped return his youthful confidence.

“I got grey hair very early in life and now my entire head is grey. I’d never considered dyeing my hair, because I felt I was still too young to care. I remember my wife asking me all the time why I should not dye my hair; I had to consider her advice,” he says.

Andrew who says white hair runs in his family, has had a lot of grey hair for as long as he can remember. There were days when he started feeling uncomfortable because people thought he was an old man.

“Well, that did put me off at times; it also made me feel that I was some kind of an old man. I thought I would look younger if I dyed my hair. At the beginning it was a bit uncomfortable, but  with time, I have become used to it.”

A way of life

While for some men grey hair comes with a feeling of insecurity, for one man, looking young is nothing but a way of life.

Meet Stanley Mwambungu, 54, who works at a financial institution in Dar es Salaam. He says it is his passion to look his best despite his age. He was highly influenced by the environment where he grew up, he says.

“I grew up in Ilala, went to Azania Secondary School and spent my teenage days with friends who loved to appear smart all the time. But above all, my father was always looking good.  I watched him carefully choose his clothes and comb hair. He had his own way of looking smart.  I admired him a lot, so I grew up always looking my best,” says Stanley who adds that as a banker he has found himself looking sharp most of his time.

From solid black dyed hair, one could easily mistake him for a twenty-year-old young man; except for the crowfeet lines from each side of his eyes and forehead wrinkles which can’t be hidden when he smiles.

Today, he can walk grey-hair free, thanks to a number of affordable dyes in the market. Thousands of men out there would do anything to hide whatever signs that prove that their retirement clock is ticking.

Who cares?

But while men care much about their appearance and everyone’s perception, very few people could be bothered.

According to Beatrice Mgisa, 32, cultural change influenced by technology has forced men into a different school of thought.

“We expect a lot from men. We want them to look natural, have signs of masculinity and for old folks to have grey hair, which is a symbol of maturity. Today, it is trouble finding an old man with white hair. You will have to search long and hard for them,” she says. “Why would a 60-year-old man try to act or look like he is 40? I think men who fight back age want to impress young girls with their looks and money.”

Being old is no longer fashionable or something to be proud of as people believe that the old belong in the village. Town life is for young and vibrant people, says Beatrice.

“My father dyes his hair and eyebrows. He’s been doing it for years. At times I even forget how old he is.”

Here comes the metrosexual man

Working in the beauty industry, Asha, a beautician from BM Executive Barbershop has witnessed the changing lifestyle habits of the modern man.

From having the usual services at the barber shop, men currently follow in the footsteps of women.

“We receive quite a number of clients, young men and old folks in their 50s and 60s. Many of them come here for facials, pedicure and even body massage because as they get old their body tissues wear out and they need to look fresh,” says Asha.

Men today whether young or old love to appear smart and to look good in the eyes of the community. Older men of today love to mingle with the young generation and they don’t want to be left behind, says Asha.

At 62, Eric Mgonja has seen and done it all: Pedicures his nails, wore killer haircuts, things that make him more comfortable at his age. Spending money on expensive attire is not an issue, he says.

“I don’t think just because I am as old as a grandfather, I am not entitled to look young. This whole issue depends on one’s intentions. I mean, who are you trying to attract?”

He says dyeing hair really does take years off.

“Some women love older men, others don’t. Just knowing that I turn the heads of some women is enough satisfaction even if I don’t have sinister motives.

“Some women love older men, others don’t. Just knowing that I turn the heads of some women is enough satisfaction even if I don’t have sinister motives.