The locks on top of your head aren't the only ones that can turn silver as you get older. Your Facial hair can also turn grey.
Greying hair is completely natural, and some people embrace it. However, if you prefer to cover it with dye, that is also acceptable.
Consider dyeing your beard if you've recently changed your hair colour and want the two to match.
Whatever your reason, dying facial hair is similar to dying your head hair. However, you should usually go with a beard-specific product. While you can dye your facial hair, using the right product will help you achieve a more even result.
Here’s what else you need to know about dyeing your beard.
How to Choose the Right Shade
The general rule of thumb is to go one shade lighter than you would expect when it comes to beard shades. This is due to two factors: To begin, you can always go darker, but never lighter. Second, this allows the dye to bring stray greys to a more central colour (effectively blending them in) while having less of an impact on your already dark whiskers. (Dark hair does not take colour well unless it is first bleached.) This will ensure that you have a natural beard dye.
Dyeing Your Beard at Home
While you should follow the specific instructions of whichever beard dye you purchase, here are the general steps.
# Step 1
It is not necessary to first wash your beard. You should have washed your beard the night before or the morning of. Regardless, it's best to separate your dyeing and cleansing because some of the natural oils in your beard may help the colour absorb. However, some brands will advise you to do a fresh cleanse, which you should do. Perhaps their ingredients absorb better without the presence of natural oils.
# Step 2
If you're dying short beards and moustaches, trim them after you've dyed them. Having as much hair as possible can be beneficial when dying short beards. (Otherwise, you're just smearing dye on your skin.) So, keep your pre-trimmed length while dyeing, or trim the hairs down to a 3 or 4 on your beard trimmer (at shortest) and apply the dye there. From there, you can trim it down to stubble or near stubble. The extra volume of hair will aid in colour retention by allowing it to "lather" a little more.
# Step 3
Clear the area, strip naked, and put on gloves. Dyes will stain your clothes, surfaces, and almost everything else. After all, they are dyes. As a result, proceed with caution. Wear the gloves that the brand has provided you with. Carefully combine the ingredients. Use it with caution. It's unlikely to stain your face, but it can easily stain your hands and anything else it comes into contact with.
# Step 4
Combine the dye and colour developer/activator. The majority of dyes come in a kit with a separate colour activating/developing agent. Again, this varies from brand to brand (as well as how many developers to use). Follow the specific instructions for the product. However, this activator is designed to effectively open up the hair's cuticle and allow the dye to penetrate each strand.
# Step 5
Leave on as directed. Typically, 5-10 minutes is sufficient (and more on the shorter end with facial hair). In any case, follow the directions for your specific product.
# Step 6
Wash it away. The simplest way to remove the dye is to take a shower, but you can also use a regular cleanser to flush away the chemicals and reveal your new colour. Just be wary of any dye that gets on your sink, tiles, shower curtain, floor, or walls. This is why the shower is often preferred: it allows you to quickly flush everything away without allowing it to settle and stain any surfaces.
How Long Does It Last?
A permanent dye will last until your beard hair grows out or you shave it off.
If you or a barber uses semi-permanent dye, this will last 3 to 6 weeks.
What if You Don’t Like How It Turns Out?
If you dye your beard and don’t like the results, your best bet is to make an appointment with a professional.
In some cases, though, home remedies can help strip semi-permanent dye.
Try this paste of baking soda and water:
- Begin with 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
- Add enough water to make a spreadable paste — a few teaspoons of water may be required. Stir after each addition to keep the paste from becoming too watery.
- Apply the paste to your beard and gently massage it in.
- Avoid massaging the paste too deeply or smearing it on your skin, as this can cause irritation.
- Allow the paste to sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly.
If you get excess beard dye on your skin, you can wipe it away before it dries. However, before beginning a dye job, apply Vaseline to the skin around your beard to help prevent staining and irritation.
Are you not a fan of petroleum jelly? Instead, use a thick moisturiser or body cream as a barrier.
Wash the skin with soap and water to remove dye stains. Apply coconut oil if the stains persist. Allow the oil to sit on your skin overnight, and then rinse it off in the morning.
To tackle a very stubborn dye stain:
- Using rubbing alcohol, soak a cotton ball.
- Dab the stained skin until the stain disappears.
- Soap and water should be used to clean the area.
- Apply coconut oil to your skin to moisturise and soothe it.
Is There Any Alternative to Colour Grey Hair From Beard?
Although we have discussed beard dyes and how to use them, some products have side effects and are not recommended for longer use. Therefore, we recommend Darkenyl for reversing white/grey hair, which combines Taxifolin glucoside, a stabilised antioxidant acting as a stimulator of stem cell proliferation and maintenance and N-acetyl-tyrosine, a precursor in the melanin synthesis pathway.
Darkenyl is an effective grey beard treatment when used regularly. It prevents grey hair by protecting follicles from oxidation and stimulating hair follicles by producing new melanocytes (melanin cells).
The beard white hair solution also increases melanin production and adds pigment to darken premature grey hair on your beard. There are also no side effects of using Darkenyl.
You can buy Darkenyl by ManMatters by clicking here.
Summing Up
You can dye your beard to change things up, match your hair colour, or hide greys. Whatever the reason, it is critical to use the proper product. Although hair dye can be used on facial hair, it is not designed to penetrate these coarser hairs. You also run the risk of irritating your face's more sensitive skin.
If you have a skin condition, you should always consult a dermatologist before using dye on your facial hair.
Remember to always follow the package instructions and patch test before using any beard dye product.
FAQs
Is Dye Good for Beard?
There is no evidence that using beard dye will cause long-term damage. A few dyes contain lower levels of the ingredients that may cause irritation, but they are often less effective, and their effects are not as long-lasting. So you can beard dye without worrying about its consequences.
How Often Can I Safely Dye My Beard?
If you want to have a fresh-looking beard every day, you must apply the colour every two weeks. However, this may vary depending on the product, so carefully read the label to determine how frequently you can apply it.
Can I Dye My Beard With Hair Dye?
Yes, you can technically use hair dye on your beard, but it's not necessarily the best option. Because the skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on your scalp, you can't be certain that it will react to hair dye in the same way.
Is Permanent Beard Dye Possible?
No, permanent beard dye is not possible. Still, some products can help dye your beard for 5-6 months. So, you can regularly use them from time to time to keep your beard colour consistent.
References
Morgane De Tollenaere, December 2020; Global Repigmentation Strategy of Grey Hair Follicles by Targeting Oxidative Stress and Stem Cells Protection - https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/4/1533
