Why do Beards get Lighter?

Beards fall under the category of facial hair that men style in multiple different ways according to their taste, just like mustaches. When it comes to facial hair, the main concern in the early stages is usually that of hair growth rate and thickness but in later stages of life, the concern shifts towards the issue of beards getting lighter. 

The discoloration of melanin pigments combined with natural elements such as excessive sun exposure, hard water minerals, and harsh chemicals causes beard color to fade. Aging and certain medications also play a significant role.

In this article, we’re going to go over the reasons why beards attain a lighter shade over time, and how you can avoid such a phenomenon!

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Facial Hair in Men

Beards for men hold a much more significant value than for women. In terms of biology, beards are considered secondary sex characteristics in males whereas, in terms of culture and religion, many mandate the growth of a full beard. It is also directly related to one’s appearance, different beard styles can change a person’s look.

Hence, beards have significant importance and meaning in various societies around the world which is why any issue or problem with them causes distress among the male population.

Why do beards turn lighter?

A mixture of environmental factors and natural processes can turn the shade of your beard to a lighter color and here is why!

Melanin Discoloration

Melanin is a pigment that is responsible for the hair color or skin color of every individual. There are three types of melanin; eumelanin, pheomelanin, and neuromelanin. The one that is related to beard coloring is eumelanin.

This type of melanin produces dark color in hair, skin, and eyes and high amounts of it mean a darker color, and low amounts mean a lighter color.

Beard color fading is due to the discoloration of eumelanin over time, especially if combined with environmental elements such as sunlight, water, and chemicals. Hence, your physical surrounding plays a huge role in changing the color of your beard.

Sun Exposure

The changing of the color of beards into a lighter or darker shade is governed by a crucial natural factor, i.e., sun exposure. The ultraviolet rays put out by the sun have a significant effect on body hair, including facial hair.

A huge amount of time spent outdoors means increased exposure to the sun and its damaging rays which cause darker-colored facial hair to fade into a much lighter shade.

The scientific explanation for this is that the rays have penetrating effects on melanin and other pigments present in the hair follicle.

Hard Water Mineral

Hard water has a high concentration of minerals combined with elements such as magnesium and calcium.

Washing the beard with hard water can drench the hair follicles in these minerals which can cause damage to pigmentation by stripping the melanin leading to discoloration.

Not only will it lighten the beard but hard water can also ruin the texture of your beard hair.

Chemicals

Just like some shampoos that have certain chemicals that are damaging to different hair types, similarly many beard care products also contain harsh chemicals which are very destructive to the hair follicles, practically peeling away the layers of pigmentation and causing the beard to go lighter, such as black to brown.

Aging Process

The aging process is also a contributing factor in beard lightning as it is common to lose the natural coloring and eventually fade into a lighter color, mostly a dull gray.

This is because each of the hair follicles will progressively start to lose its ability to produce the right amounts of melanin and pigment which lead to the hair losing its original color and lightening.

Medication Effects

Several prescription medicines have proved to affect an individual’s facial hair along with many other side effects.

A few antibiotics and some heart medications can cause a change in the color of body hair which includes beards as well. The melanin uptake can be either increased or decreased causing the beard to either grow darker or lighter.

What Can be Done to Avoid Your Beard from Turning Lighter?

If you clicked on this article, it was probably not to just find out why your beard is turning lighter but also to find out how to stop it from turning lighter. Well, you stumbled on the right page, and here are some steps you can follow!

Limiting Overexposure to Sun

As this is one of the main reasons for the beard turning lighter, hence try to avoid the sun as much as possible. Just as there are products to protect your skin from the UV rays of the sun, there are creams designed to protect your hair and beard.

Invest in some and you are good to go! Or if you are looking for a cheap alternative then a face mask also gets the job done.

Avoid Washing your Beard with Hard Water

Try to minimize the use of hard water when it comes to facial hair. If possible, get filters installed in your showers.

Find the Right Products

Do proper research before buying any hair and beard care products. Avoid the ones that contain harsh chemicals and find ones that are gentler on your hair follicles.

Beard Oils

Oils manufactured for beards keep them moisturized and also provide a protective layer so that your hair follicles and the pigments in them are shielded against any conditions you face such as sun exposure.

Hair Maintenance

This includes trimming your beard at the right time, the ends of the hair have been there the longest hence they will be lighter. Trim it at necessary times to avoid this so your beard comes off as one shade.

Dye Your Beard

Lastly, if all else fails, you know you always have dyes at your back. If your beard turning lighter is a genetic issue rather than a result of environmental aspects, then this is your best and only option.

Dye your beard to your desired color and then use the proper care products to preserve the color.

Conclusion

Facial hair is important for many men in different ways whether culturally, religiously, or just in terms of their appearance.

Losing the original coloring of hair is a natural process that all men go through eventually hence one should not get sad over it!

And if anything, hair dye is always an option! We hope this guide helps you understand a bit better why your beard color is fading and how you can take measures to avoid it.