Why Beards Turn Gray First

If you’re reading this article, you’re probably going through a rite of passage in every man’s life. You have your first gray hair, and it’s in your beard. For many men – even young men – the first place they start to go gray is their beard. If you’re wondering why do beards turn gray first, and what you can do to prevent gray hair, read this!

Why Do Beards Turn Gray First?

The truth is, scientists aren’t too sure why beards turn gray first. Believe it or not, there have been almost no scientific studies on hair graying patterns. Here’s what we do know about going gray: 74% of people between the ages of 45 and 65 have, on average, gone 27% gray. Men go gray more quickly than women, and people of Caucasian origin go gray more quickly than people of other origins. ¹

Hair goes gray thanks to melanocytes, which are the cells that produce pigment. Melanocytes give your hair (including your beard hair) its natural color. But as we age, those melanocytes wear out and stop working. As a result, hair turns gray. 

As for why the beard turns gray first, it’s thought that different areas of hair are linked to different genetic origins in the womb.² This is why many men have beards that are a different color than the hair on their scalp. Likewise, your beard hair may be genetically disposed to go gray at a younger age than your scalp hair. 

Graying of Beard at a Young Age: The Cause

So why do some men have a gray beard at a younger age? You have your mom and dad to thank for that. Premature gray hair is linked to genetics. So if someone in your family had a gray beard at an early age, you’re more likely to have one as well. 

Can You Prevent a Gray Beard?

Just as there is no real way to prevent gray hair, you also cannot prevent the graying of your beard at a young age. 

However, there are some factors that are thought to make hair grow faster. These include smoking, stress, and a poor diet. By eliminating stress, quitting smoking, and eating a healthy diet full of antioxidant-rich foods, you may boost your chances of preventing a gray beard. 

What Are My Premature Gray Hair Treatment Options?

While there have been some legitimate scientific studies that provide hope for a “cure” to gray hair in the future, at this time, there is no real scientific solution for treating premature gray hair. 

If you do want to disguise your grays, however, you have a couple of options:

Coloring Your Hair

Some men choose to color their hair, including their beard hair, to eliminate grays. If you want to color your beard, select a kit specifically designed for coloring beard hair. Many barbers and hairstylists also offer this service. 

Try Hair Fibers

Toppik Hair Building Fibers are also an easy way to disguise gray beard hair. Toppik Fibers are made from natural keratin protein, the same protein that beard hair is made of. They have a natural electromagnetic charge which clings to your beard hair, instantly concealing gray hairs. The best part is, Hair Fibers are undetectable, even at a close range. So nobody will know if you choose to conceal your gray beard with Hair Fibers!

Here’s how to use Toppik Hair Fibers to style a gray beard:

1. Choose the shade of Toppik Hair Fibers that most closely matches your natural beard color.
2. Use the Spray Applicator attachment to apply the Toppik Fibers, focusing on areas of gray hair. Pat the Fibers into place. 
3. To apply Fibers more neatly and with a more natural-looking line, use the Hairline Optimizer.

And if you want to embrace your gray beard but wish that it looked thicker, Toppik Hair Fibers also come in gray and white! 

Remember: everybody goes gray at one point or another, and it’s perfectly normal to experience gray hair in your beard first. If you’re experiencing a graying beard at a young age, embrace it! 

At what age did your beard start going white? Let us know in the comment section below. 

¹Panhard, S., et al., BJD, 2012.
²Jacobsen, R.,Vice, 2017.

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