Brian,
Here I go again--been out of that business for about a decade, but there is a process that was beginning to be used here in the States at that time, and I think it is still around. Anything we have here in the way of hair lightening techniques, usually Europe has first. I am trying to recall what the name of that process was (age affecting the inside of my head at least as much as the outside.) Anyway, it was not so harsh on fine hair as standard bleaching techniques. However, it was usually used as a highlighting technique rather that an all-over deal--and as far as I know, the product was not available to the general public.
I will try and remember what it was called. The last salon I worked at recently disbanded, so I can't call 'em up anymore to ask things like this. I thought I'd go ahead and post a response in the meantime, in the event that there is someone else out there reading who might remember what I don't at the moment.
(And there is a certain amount of substance to wil's conclusion, too!)
InPeace,
InLove
Sounds great - I'd rather not have to wait another 30 years for the grey to appear, develop, and then fade to white, though.