WHY are so many teenagers losing their hair these days?

I'm convinced that washing their hair every day is the reason, because they are washing away the natural oils the body gives to the hair instead they rely on shampoos, conditioners and what I think is the worst culprit, the blow dryer.

When we were teenagers we were classed as cissies using a hair dryer. We only washed our hair once a week (Friday) then towel dried it and let it dry naturally, followed with a blob of Brylcreem.

When money was tight we would use a dab of margarine. The only trouble with that was in a warm day you would be walking down the street with a swarm of midges around your head.

I'm now in my 60s and although I'm going grey I still have the same mop of hair I had when I was a teenager, with little sign of baldness.

I seldom wash my hair. Instead I thoroughly brush it clean followed by a dab of good old Brylcreem.

You might say that I talk a load of rubbish but ask yourself this, have you ever seen bald-headed tramp?
P Jackson,
Sunderland

Parties lied to us
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with Euro sceptics Messrs Howe, Tomlinson and Gillon.
The wraps are off now and the real direction of the so-called "EU Project" is plain for all to see. All that is, apart from our political elite, who, ever since Heath's Government of the 1970s, have signed away our constitutional powers.
From the Treaty of Rome in 1972 to the impending Lisbon Treaty (EU Constitution) the main political parties have lied to us, without open debate or explanation, let alone a proper referendum (Wilson's questionnaire in 1975 referred only to continued membership of a "Common Market").
We're about to lose World War Three against another evil dictatorship in Europe without a shot being fired.
The European Parliament is a charade, with no ruling party or opposition. Very soon, all new law will originate in Brussels, conjured up not by elected MEPs, but by anonymous EU Commissioners wielding supreme power, headed up by an unelected "President".
"No" votes by the Dutch and French to the original EU Constitution were ignored. The Irish, Poles and Czechs have been openly bullied and bribed into subservience, but at least they fostered discussion. Britain's whole system of governance is about to change. Next May's election will come too late, and don't expect Cameron to consult us on continued membership of the EU if he wins. Resist!
David M Caslaw,
Millfield,
Sunderland

Princely service
IN response to the letter from D Makin of Sunderland ("Rerouting bus hits us", Oct 31), I would like to point out that our Prince Bishops service 20 offers a very frequent service every 10 minutes from Barnes to the Board Inn.
It is also still perfectly straightforward to travel to South Shields and Washington Galleries and even New Herrington Club, although a change of bus is required.
We understand that it can sometimes be difficult to find the best alternative when familiar services have changed, but our dedicated customer services team will be happy to offer advice. They can be contacted on Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm on 0845 60 60 260 or email customer.services@gonortheast.co.uk
Martin Harris,
Commercial Director,
Go Northeast

Cat's whiskers
A FEW weeks ago my beloved pet cat Milly was taken seriously ill. After phoning around numerous vets, trying for an emergency appointment, I found myself ringing a vets at Fence Houses called SimplyCats.
I'd never heard of them before but tried it as a last resort. I explained what was the problem and was told to bring my cat over.
Thanks to all the wonderful staff who work there, my cat had a life-saving operation and is now making a full recovery. Their dedication and expertise was second to none and even now they keep in touch to see how Milly is progressing.
I'm so glad I found this wonderful and most caring place. I'm definitely not letting my pet go anywhere else!
Ashley Veitch and Family

Touching-up idea
I HAVE followed the council's campaign for eradicating chewing gum on the pavements very dilligently, watching huge gas-guzzling machines steaming the terrible stuff to be scraped off at a cost of thousands.
I have a much cheaper solution that can use the offending patch of gum without getting rid of it in the first place and I believe that the idea, which I freely admit to being my seamstress Bella's idea, is so simple and a lot cheaper.
Chewing gum is very durable, drying to a solid flattened spot that is impossible to remove unless steamed and prised off, but this idea uses the durability.
Bella said that if the stuff lasts forever it must be protecting the material underneath, be it paving stone or tarmac and that all the council should do is send people out armed with small paint brushes and tins of paint to "touch up" the chewing gum so that it blends in while still protecting the surface underneath. The people employed would have jobs for life walking the streets looking for patches where the paint has been worn off.
Probably ...
Csar Kazum,
Sunderland

JUST a word of thanks to two women who helped me out when I was short of change at the car park near the Civic Centre last Saturday.
I only needed £1 but they would have given (yes given) me the entire £3.20 for the machine. How about that for Wearside kindness to a stranger – and me a West Ham supporter going to the match! It was a good match too, and since my wife and her family are from good-hearted Sunderland I was happy with 2-2.
Jack Foster,
Harrogate

I MUST congratulate the organisers of the Ashbrooke Cricket Club firework display team for their recent excellent firework display, bringing an amazing and enjoyable evening for all.
Matthew Cain,
Fulwell,
Sunderland

I WOULD like to thank all staff on the emergency department, Wards E50 and B21 at Sunderland Royal Hospital for the wonderful care given to my husband, Stephen Potts. Thankfully he is on his way to recovery. Also thank you to Aimee for all your help and kindness during a very scary week.
Mrs Flo Potts and Family

WHAT fantastic news about the proposal to have a ski centre with real? snow development next to the Stadium of Light. Sport of this kind goes with health, more so, if it is intended to house an ice rink.
Bill Craddock,
Donvale Road,
Washington