It is these types of subtle, and not so subtle, insults that try and make someone conform to what society thinks they should be. It's usually directed at women. Why in the world should anyone else care what a woman does with her hair, especially when it's well kept and clean?
And what's so wrong with a woman trying to look young? Seems to me that comment would be made by a man who is being emotionally manipulative to relieve his own insecurities.
Not that I'm a feminist or anything. :P
Oh... and I remember women in my family who had long grey hair done up in braids and buns. Their hair was their crowning glory and they didn't cut it.