Why does my beard turn red?
Melanin is produced in response to UVA (sunlight), and as with skin that darkens to protect itself from the sun, beard hair will turn a lighter shade, even red.
Leading scientists don't know all the details as to the exact mechanism that causes a ginger beard, but it's believed to be determined by a mixture of the key MC1R gene combined with the effects of other genes.
If you are finding stray red hairs in your black beard, then don't worry. It is entirely natural. You are finding red hairs in your beard because a recessive gene in your body resurfaced recently. This gene triggers a mutation in your body that changes the pigmentation in some of your hair.
"There is no scientific evidence to suggest that performing oral sex on someone with a vulva could cause a beard to turn red," Kaur confirms.
In modern day China, Korea, and Japan, images of Red Beard are often used as symbols of blessing, strength, or good luck. In Japan, he is often invoked at New Year's time with papier-mâché dolls symbolizing good fortune. Red Beard is a frequent theme in Zen artwork.
A Genetic Mutation
Generally, those with a ginger beard and brown or black hairs, have a single mutated version of the MC1R gene. One mutated gene in an organism normally interacts in random places like the beard, for example.
Gently brush your beard every day before you wash your face. This helps to gently lift the scale (skin that flakes off) and will help treatment work better. Treat the rash and greasy patches with hydrocortisone 1% solution. You can buy this medication without a prescription.
The genetic link
A gene called MC1R plays a role in whether someone will have red hair. People who have certain variants in this gene are more likely to have red hair because they have higher levels of pheomelanin.
While genetics are the key factor in your beard color, some lifestyle and environmental factors can cause some whiskers to change their shade. For instance, if you smoke, your beard can develop a yellow or reddish tinge.
It's a combination of genetic and non-genetic factors. Unlike the genetics of head hair, which has been studied extensively, scientists don't yet fully understand the role of DNA in facial hair thickness. But in general, if your father or grandfather had thick beard hair, you're likely to have a thick beard also.
Does sunlight change beard color?
So in short, yes, long term exposure to the sun can change the colour of your beard, although we wouldn't recommend this as a safe way to add a shade or tint, so make sure you protect both your beard and yourself when spending time outdoors in the sunshine with your friends and your loved ones.
The most common reason for the brown hairs in your black beard is too much sun exposure. The UV rays are essentially bleaching the beard. Aside from sun exposure, your genes may also affect what is happening. You may have a gene that just recently started to kick in and change the color of your facial hair.
Some people have red beard hair, but not red head hair. It's because of a mutation in a chromosome involved in producing hair pigment. Don't worry, it's not dangerous. While only a small percentage of people in the world are redheads, non-redheads can still grow red beards.
Men with ginger beards don't necessarily have ginger hair, and it's thanks to chromosome 4. Beard hair is quite different to head hair; it is coarser, curlier and doesn't fall out as we get older.
From manliness, spiritual energy and freedom, facial hair is a tradition that will never go out of style for these cultures. “The beard symbolises God's divine attributes of mercy and compassion. By growing a beard one taps into this spiritual energy and elicits this divine mercy upon oneself.
Since your genes never change, your hair color will never actually change to gray or white. The hair follicles instead just simply stop producing pigment.
According to sources, red hair and beards are a genetic trait that is specific to Nordic tribes. It's even thought that some Norsemen would dye their red hair and beards to look blond using lye soap. Red beards that matched the red hair were far more common than believed to be.
Blonde beards not only are rarer, and thus a naturally showstopper look, but also extremely aesthetic. Think about it this way, blonde beards add a golden, platinum or copper touch to your style, without you even having to splurge on jewellery. Now, that's one nifty advantage.
Genetics are usually the reason why you have gray hairs in your beard. Just as your genetics determine your hair type, it also determines when your hair begins to gray. Hair turns gray because your follicles stop producing pigment cells or melanocytes.
All follicles contain a mix of black or brown pigments, called eumelanin, and red and yellow pigments, called pheomelanin. If genetically, you produce more pheomelanin, then chances are either your scalp hair or facial hair will look blonde or reddish blonde.
Why do guys get red hair?
The red hair itself is caused by a mutation in what researchers call the MC1R gene. Having two mutated genes gives someone all red hair, but having just one can give a person red hair in unexpected places.