"Oh, aaargh!" he said. "What I have to say is, if you ever meet a dyed-blond, man or woman, they've got (courage), I'll say that. Because they have to do it every 10 days. And, you know, the scalp would just peel right off after a while."

The first couple of years were really hard on his head.

"My scalp would start to bleed. I'd be walking around after the dye job and a little puss-pocket would break and start dribbling down my forehead. It's like -- oh my gosh!" he said. "And then your scalp starts to fall off. I mean, it peels. Big, thick clumps of it come out."

Things have been "much better" this season since a new hairdresser started working on it and tried new products. Not that Marsters is complaining about the hair trials he went through.

"I mean, some people dig ditches for a living. I have to get my hair dyed. Big deal," he said. He's in the midst of a two-year contract on "Buffy," and he wouldn't mind staying longer.

"As long as Joss is there, I'm there," he said.

Q: How much of a drag is it to maintain that glorious bleach job?

JM: You know, even though I let it change back to brown during hiatus, I have to say, if I was a civilian, I would wear it punk white anyway. It fits me as a person, frankly, not just in the role. It says that I'm not really normal, but in a wonderful way. But beyond playing Spike, if I want other roles, I have to try to look more like a normal human being. JM (TEXT)

"My hair is dyed to within an inch of its life every nine days. I love it. I think it looks great, but getting it dyed stings a little bit. In fact, I'm rubbing scabs right now. My hair is naturally curly, and I've always wanted straight hair, so, finally, I've gotten my dream."

"Every two weeks! Can you believe? It hurts, but my hair doesn't seem to care. It's fine, it doesn't seem to notice."

Q: Do you think you'll stay a blond after Buffy? by hentzau

JM: No. Most roles call for human beings, and I look like a freak. I LOVE it. If I wasn't an actor I'd keep it.... I like extreme looks. I used to shave my head. I used to grow it out without cutting it for like 12 to 15 months. I looked like Roger Daltry from The Who.

"But now I'm in Hollywood, so God knows what it's going to be (what hair color) day to day . I think I switched hair colors three times in one two-week period once just for doing different projects..." (...) "That reminds me, for anyone who wants to bleach their hair out -- if you put a couple, or three, or four packets of Sweet and Low in the bleaching solution it won't burn your head as bad. That's my big word of wisdom." (...) "Yeah. But you know, I've found a newfound respect for bleached blondes! It hurts! You've gotta have balls to bleach your hair."

-James Marsters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Spike and Dru Dark Horse Comics (TEXT)

Q: Do people recognize you when your hair isn't platinum blond?

JM: People don't recognize me when my hair IS platinum blonde! I'm usually in a good mood and not scowling, and I don't have the accent in real life, so when I do get recognized it is like, "You look like the guy who plays Spike!

Q: Which do you like better, your Spike hair color or your natural color?

JM: My Spike hair color in a cold heartbeat. Kudos to all dyed blondes. It's a pain in the butt, but put 4 to 7 packets of Sweet ‘n’ Low, and it will save you the worst of the blisters.

Q: What brand of hair gel do you use?

JM: Whatever we think is going to knock out the curl in my hair, which tends to look like Shirley Temple.

HostTPtony: James is going to check the name on the tube right now....

JM: It's called Phytodefrisant. It's French.