I worked in the spa at a salon for years. All of the stylists wore gloves when coloring hair. It keeps their hands dye-free but also protects them from the chemicals. So if they're wearing gloves for something that's going on your scalp......?
Highlighting isn't as dangerous, as it's lightening your hair and the dye isn't usually put onto your scalp like roots to ends color.
I'm 53 and let my hair turn salt and pepper gray the last few years. Mostly I used demi permanent color but it just wouldn't cover the grey anymore and I didn't want the commitment and expense for permanent color. My hairstyle is a textured short pixie cut, which really looks good with the different shades of "sparkles" showing through.
A woman should let her hair go gray if she wants. But I think as she gets older, she should update the style. Long straight hair with a center part is only youthful on the young. Get something young and sassy and own it, and keep it healthy.
I used to wear a lot of fall colors (brown, rust, olive, gold). Now they don't look so great on me so I'm leaning towards prettier pastels. Well OK, old lady colors. But they suit me better and brighten up my face it bit more.