Your beard is a major part of your appearance and self expression. It's literally on your face - the first thing people see when they meet you. So yes, the way your beard looks is a big deal and worth thinking about.
It's no surprise, then, that you're thinking "Should I dye my beard?" It's a fair question that deserves some consideration. Before you make a decision, take into account why you might want to dye your beard, what your options are, and the pros and cons of each.
Why Do Guys Dye Their Beards?
Guys dye their beards for lots of distinct, personal reasons. Some of the most common are:
To Cover Up Gray Hairs
Aging is a natural part of life, and hair graying is just one way it affects your appearance. Gray hairs don't show up just on top of your head - they also become part of your facial hair. Many men dye their hair and their beards in order to cover up gray hairs and give off a more youthful appearance.
Is this a bad thing? No way! Some guys have strong opinions one way or the other, but do whatever works best for you. There's nothing shameful about using beard dye to cover up your gray hairs. It offers personal and professional benefits in some situations, whether people like to admit it or not.
While some men may choose to leave their gray hairs alone, it's a completely acceptable choice for others to dye their beards in order to cover up gray hairs. Regardless of which camp you fall into, you're fine.
To Create a Bold Look
Men may also choose to dye their beards in order to create a striking visual look. Dyeing your beard a different color from the hair on top of your head is a bold choice that is sure to draw attention. Or you may simply want to change it up and see what you would look like with red hair instead of brown hair.
To Stand Out
Dyeing your beard makes you stand out from the crowd. That can be in a huge way - if you dye your beard a bright, bold color like purple or turquoise. Or it can be in a more understated but still significant way - like dyeing your hair a significantly darker shade than the hair on your head.
How Long Does Beard Dye Last?
How long beard dye lasts depends on which type of beard dye you're using - it can be anywhere from a few days to over a month. It's important to set realistic expectations about what effect your hair dye will have on your beard and how long it will last.
In general, professional hair dye will last longer than natural or store bought formulas. Dyeing your beard with a permanent dye can last for as long as 4-6 weeks, though some color from new growth will be visible by then. Semi-permanent dyes usually last 2-3 weeks, during which the color gets weaker after each wash.
How long your beard dye lasts is also affected by the length of your beard and your rate of facial hair growth, which varies significantly from person to person.
Types of Beard Dye
There are natural and chemical dyes, as well as temporary, permanent, and semi-permanent options to consider when you want to dye your beard. Each has its own use cases, and set of pros and cons.
Henna
Henna is a natural beard dye that turns your facial hair reddish brown - though it can be found in other colors as well. It usually lasts about a week and slowly washes out, fading after each wash. Henna is an excellent choice for guys with sensitive skin or who want to try dyeing their beards without the commitment of a permanent formula.
Pros and Cons
- Inexpensive
- Short term color change
- Natural and non-irritating for most people
Do-It-Yourself Beard Dye
There are many brands of do-it-yourself beard dye. Their boxes line drug store shelves, promising to turn your beard the perfect shade of undying youth. Do they actually work?
For many men, yes. The main concerns are making sure you choose the right color and applying the dye properly. For the best results, choose a dye that's a little lighter than your natural hair color. Make sure the dye kit includes everything you'll need - like gloves and an applicator brush. And check how long the color lasts since both permanent and semi-permanent dyes are available.
Can You Use Hair Dye on Your Beard?
While you technically can use hair dye on your beard, it's far better to use a product specifically made for beards on your facial hair. That's because your facial hair is coarser than the hair on your head. Beard dye is specifically formulated to penetrate facial hair and change its color.
How to Remove Beard Dye from Skin
Especially when you're new to dyeing your beard, chances are you'll get some on your skin. This can be frustrating, but be careful when considering how to remove beard dye from skin. If you use something too harsh or abrasive, it can cause major irritation.
The best way to remove beard dye from skin is to avoid the problem entirely by using petroleum jelly. Coat the skin that you don't want to get stained with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. This will stop the dye from contacting and staining your skin in the first place.
If it's too late for that, your best bet is soap and water with a mild abrasive such as baking soda. But be very careful - you don't want to irritate your skin. Even a non-gel toothpaste can work in a pinch. But skip the tough exfoliants - those will do more harm than good.
If you've tried everything you can to remove beard dye from skin but it's still there, it's time to exercise patience and accept that sometimes mistakes happen. Next time, prepare with petroleum jelly and be as cautious as possible during beard dye application.
Pros and Cons
- Inexpensive
- Easily available
- Can be done from home
- Lots of color options available
- May lead to stains on your skin
- Can be hard to match the right color
- May irritate your skin due to harsh ingredients
Professional Beard Dyeing
A professional hair color expert will dye your beard by mixing the color to exactly what you're looking for. Of course, this is also a more expensive way to go about dyeing your beard that requires making an appointment. The beard dye that a pro uses will typically last longer than at-home kits do.
Pros and Cons
- Expensive
- Requires making an appointment
- Lots of color options
- Long lasting
- Done by a pro
- May irritate your skin
Deciding Whether to Dye Your Beard
The decision to dye your beard is a deeply personal one, so take your time. Investigate your options thoroughly and choose the one that's right for you. And regardless of whether you decide to dye your facial hair or not, make sure you're taking care of your beard with a good grooming routine.
Wash Your Beard
Keep your facial hair clean and reduce oily buildup with our Clarifying Gel Face Wash. Its gentle formula includes geranium, aloe, and coconut-based cleansers as opposed to harsh detergents.
Moisturize with Beard Oil
Once a day (more if needed), apply Beard Oil to your whiskers to keep them moisturized, soft, and shiny. Our natural blend of oils includes argan oil, algae extract, vitamin E, and aloe vera.
