The Good the Bad and the Ugly of Dying Your Beard
Let me start this by saying “I dye my beard”. There I said it. Nothing to be ashamed of. I know some men might feel a little bit uncomfortable about revealing a fact like that but I don’t mind at all. I have been dying my beard for years and it is looking better than ever! I am really happy with the results I am getting.
I will let you know what brand of beard dye I am using and I will try to fill you in on all the glorious details.
You don’t have to be old to start dying your beard. For some guys the sight of even a few visible grey hairs may be a warning sign and signal a flood of beard dye. Others might wait until the Santa effect has taken hold before they set out on a beard dying journey. Maybe you are just looking for a different colour or small change.
No matter the reason, beard dye can be an incredible tool in your beard arsenal. It can make you feel younger and make your beard look fuller.
The Science
Who Invented hair dye?
Eugène Schueller, the founder of L'Oréal, is recognized for creating the first synthetic hair dye in 1907. In 1947 the German cosmetics firm Schwarzkopf launched the first home colour product, "Poly Colour".
Why does our hair turn grey?
Melanocyte stop being replenished and as the reservoir runs dry our hair will start to turn grey.
Melanocytes are melanin-producing neural crest-derived cells located in the bottom layer of the skin's epidermis.
Melanocytes produce either eumelanin pigments (brown and black) or pheomelanin pigments (yellow and red).
Beard hair tends to have a lot of pheomelanin so they appear lighter and is generally one of the first places you will start to notice grey hairs.
On average men will go grey before woman and most of us will have about a third of our head covered in grey hair by the time we hit our mid-sixties.
Genetics, family history and environment may also play a factor in how fast our hair starts to turn grey. Only one thing is for sure and that is we will all start to turn grey at some point in our lives.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for grey hair and anyone who tells you they have a cure is pulling a fast one. There have been a few studies with promising results but at this point and time there is nothing on the market that will cure greying hair.
All is not lost! Science has come to the rescue once again and there are beard dye formulas on the market that make those pesky grey hairs disappear in five minutes.
Not All Beard Dyes Are Created Equal
There was a time when beard dyes could be pretty toxic and contained some nasty chemicals. Luckily a lot has changed and manufacturers have found a way improve results using safe and natural ingredients.
Here a few things to consider when purchasing a beard dye.
Permanent or Temporary Solution
Permanent
These dyes cause lasting chemical changes in the hair shaft. They are the most popular types of hair dyes because the colour changes last until the hair is replaced by new growth.
You will want to ensure you check the label and make sure you are getting the correct beard dye. The foundation of every beard dye is whether it is a permanent or temporary solution.
A permanent dye will last for several weeks or months. This means less maintenance and is generally better for your skin because you are applying beard dye less often.
If you are using a permanent solution make sure you use the correct colour, the last thing you want is beard colour you are not happy with for next couple of months.
Although permanent, as your beard grows you will start to see grey at the roots. Grey roots can start to appear in as little as 4 to 5 days.
Temporary
Non-Permanent beard dyes will generally last for a couple of weeks before requiring another application. Not happy with the colour you have chosen? Not to worry, it will be gone in a couple of weeks.
Temporary beard dye is also easy to apply and are also great for maintenance and touch ups. Hands down temporary beard dye is the easiest and fastest way to go.
Either method will deliver solid results and give you the coverage you are looking for. The choice is up to you. If you are not sure, I recommend trying a non-permanent solution before moving on to a more permanent solution.
Ingredients
Ammonia-free, all natural, long lasting, easy to apply, no filler, and the list goes on and on. What does it all mean? Do you really need to worry about all that stuff? Yes, well, sort of.
If you read any beard dye label the ingredients will look like they are right out of a science book. They may sound toxic and if used to excess or in the wrong way, they can be. In order to colour a hair follicle and make it stick, a little bit of science is required.
To permanently colour your beard, dyes use several chemicals and two that are used most often are ammonia and hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide bleaches your beard and removes the natural colour, oxygen is also released. This allows a chemical reaction to take place.
Ammonia breaks down hair shaft and allows the chemicals to enter the hair follicle.
Both of these chemicals are pretty potent and can potentially have a negative effect on the user.
It is recommended that you test a small amount of any beard dye before applying it to your beard. Test it on a small hidden area of your body to make sure you don’t have a reaction.
If you notice any negative reaction to a beard dye discontinue use immediately.
Most of you will be totally cool with beard dye and will feel absolutely no ill effects. There is absolutely no evidence that using beard dye will cause some sort of permanent damage.
There are a few dyes that offer lower levels of the ingredients that may cause irritation, but they are often less effective and their effects are not as long lasting.
Your best bet?
If you have sensitive skin look for a product that is hypoallergenic. Most of the beard dye companies are using Ammonia-free, natural and safe to use ingredients.
How Easy Is It to Apply?
Not all beard dye solutions are made equal. A good beard dye will include everything you need to apply the product. That will likely include a small application brush, mixing bowl, protective gloves and tubes.
At first it may look like something right out of science class but these are necessary to apply your beard dye properly and make it stick!
Everyone will have their personal favourite but as a general rule try to look for something that is easy to apply and uses a brush in application. I haven’t found any beard dye hard to install, some might just take a little longer than others.
In my opinion, the end result is always worth the effort!
Colour Selection
Picking the right colour for your beard can be tricky depending on the natural colour of your hair. As a general rule you will always want to go with a colour that is a little lighter than your natural beard colour.
Lighter beard dye tends to look a little more natural, but that is not always the case. Some beards might be really dark black or brown which would require a darker dye to match the natural follicle colour. Or maybe your beard is completely grey and you are looking to add some colour, or maybe just a patch up.
Most beard dyes will offer a wide range of colours with a few manufactures offering a limited selection. Depending on your beard, colour selection might help to narrow the filed before you even get started.
In any case it may take a few tries before you get the colour just right.
My Top Beard Dyes
Just for Men Colour Gel for Moustache & Beard
This is a great option if you are looking for a fuller look to your moustache and beard. It is also super easy to apply and can be done in as little as 5 minutes!
The beard dye can quickly cover up or patch a grey beard. It lasts a long time and has a nice, natural look.
It does not contain ammonia or other harmful chemicals that can irritate you skin. Just for Men is available in the following colours: blonde, light-medium brown, medium brown, medium-dark brown, and real black.
I definitely recommend going with a lighter colour if you are unsure. You can always apply another application of beard dye or you can go up to a slightly darker colour until you land on one you like the best.
This is the product I recommend and use myself. It is easy to apply and will last me 2 to 3 weeks. I have a light brown beard and use a blonde beard dye.
Grizzly Mountain Organic & Natural Beard Dye
This is a great option if you prefer a more permanent, vegan option that produces great results. It uses a 100% organic and chemical free products.
There is little chance of irritation and can be a gentle, natural alternative to harsh drugstore brand beard dyes. It contains fine herbal powder rendered from fresh Emblic, False Daisy, Neem Tree, Henna and indigo. The Grizzly Mountain beard dye is available in various hues of brown.
You can also supplement this product with the Grizzly Mountain organic base pre-treatment.
Godefroy Colour Tint Kit
This is another great alternative and is really easy to mix and apply. Godefroy uses a no drip cream solution and the dye comes in a capsule. Everything is mixed in the included bowl and is ready to apply in minutes.
It is a great option for quick touch-ups and is also odourless which is a bonus.
It comes in a wide variety of colours to suit all your beard dying needs. As always, I recommend going with a lighter colour and working your way up to a darker colour as required.
Blackbeard for Men Temporary Beard Dyes
Black beard is another great temporary solution. It is also non-irritating and hypoallergenic and works similar to Just for Men.
Some men will find this product a little less harsh on their face.
They offer only 4 colours which can be a big deal when you are trying to colour match an existing beard. Having said that it is super simple to apply and is a temporary solution like Just for Men.
It is a great beard dye solution.
Conclusion
There are plenty of great beard dye products on the market. Quickly reading the ingredients and application instructions can help you narrow the field quickly. Definitely do your research by watching a few YouTube videos and heading over to the manufacture’s website for more information.
I definitely recommend trying a few different products and colours until you land on one you like and works well with your skin.
It is also very important that you are treating your beard with a premium all natural beard oil every day and especially after you dye your beard!
If you are looking for some truly wicked beard products check out Wicked Beard Company.
We are not just a beard company we are a people company. We are passionate about beards and the folks who grow them. Wicked Beard Company was created for you, and your wicked beards.
Happy beard dying and stay wicked!
