Why is my beard turning ginger?
Scientists discovered only recently that there is one specific gene, MC1R, that plays a huge role in the development of the red hair. When a person has a ginger beard that doesn't match the colour of their hair, it's because they have a mutated version of the MC1R gene.
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.
The Science Behind Red Beards
A mutation in the inherited MC1R gene causes a red beard. Two mutated MC1R genes produce red hair all over. A singular mutated MC1R gene causes partial red hair. This creates reddish hues in unpredictable places like the chin or sideburns.
It's in your genes (not your jeans)
It comes down to a gene you carry called MC1R – the melanocortin 1 receptor gene that makes a specific protein. This gene, located on chromosome 16, regulates melanin levels in your body and it can vary and change a great deal over generations.
Red Hair Gene
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.
"Genes are expressed variably and can be influenced by other genes, so a carrier of the MCR-1 gene may not have red hair on their head, but could have variable expression of the gene causing a red beard," Dr Varol said. In fact the difference in colour of hair, or even the eyes and skin, has a term: heterochromia.
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.
The orange coloring that some older Somali men put in their hair is henna, the same stuff you see on the hands of newlywed women. It's a plant that is dried, ground, made into a paste, and applied to either the skin or the hair. It's mostly a cosmetic thing.
The color of our hair is determined by the levels of pigmentation in the follicles. Eumelanin is responsible for black or grown shades, meanwhile pheomelanin is responsible for yellow or red shades. If there is auburn in your beard, it is likely there are higher levels of pheomelanin in the follicles.
Don't know if you have the ginger gene? If you're a redhead, you definitely have the gene, and you will always pass this gene on to your children. Also, if someone in your direct bloodline has red hair, you will also carry the ginger gene, but won't necessarily be a redhead (see table below).
Why is my beard multiple colors?
For example, many men have beards that are a completely different color than the rest of their hair. That is because the hair follicles on your body have different colors and textures in them. Some hair follicles on your body produce a darker color than others.
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.
Reach For Green Shampoo
For example, when it comes to hair with red tones, you'll want to use a green hair care system to neutralize those tones. Add a green shampoo and conditioner to your hair care routine to see the magic this combo can work.
People with red hair have a variant of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene. This gene controls the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. The cells that make melanin produce two forms—eumelanin and pheomelanin.
What causes hair to turn orange? Reasons include high-mineral or chlorinated water, frequent sun exposure, high-sulfate and high-chemical products that can strip the hair, or simply lifting out melanin in a color treatment and revealing naturally existent undertones.
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.
The answer has some curious genetics at play, according to Jablonski. "This will almost certainly be due to the differential expression of MC1R in the follicles of beard hair versus scalp hair resulting in the production of a different mixture of dark brown eumelanin and yellow-red pheomelanin," Jablonski said.
"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.
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.
So, if a person inherits two of the MC1R gene–let's say from their parents–they end up with dark hair and a dark beard. If they only inherit one MC1R gene, they will end up with dark hair and a red beard. Redheads only make up about 1 to 2% of the population.
Are blonde beards rare?
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.
Ireland has the highest per capita percentage of redheads in the world -- anywhere from 10 to 30 percent, according to Eupedia, a website that explores European genetics and ancestry. They are almost equally prevalent in Scotland and other pockets of Celtic pride.
A redhead of African descent is pretty rare. Except when people are of mixed ancestry, red hair in Africans is usually caused by a kind of albinism.
Contrary to what many people assume, redheads did not originate in Scandinavia, Scotland or Ireland, but in central Asia. Their coloring is due to a mutation in the MC1R gene that fails to produce sun-protective, skin-darkening eumelanin and instead causes pale skin, freckles and red hair.
Investing in a high-quality beard oil will moisturize your beard and darken it naturally. In order to get the best results, apply beard oil after a warm shower when your hair is slightly damp. The warm water will open your pores and allow the oils to penetrate deeper into your hair follicles.
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.
Yes, You Can Color Your Beard — What to Know Before You Grab the Dye. The locks on top of your head aren't the only ones that can take on a silver hue as you age. Your facial hair can also go gray. Graying hair is perfectly natural, and some people embrace the change.
How does testosterone aid in growing facial hair? By interacting with the tiny hair follicles (sacs in the skin) you have on your face. It pigments them giving them a darker color and stimulating them to thicken. However, testosterone without the right genetics won't give you a bushy beard.
When a person has a ginger beard that doesn't match the colour of their hair, it's because they have a mutated version of the MC1R gene.
Apple Cider Vinegar: I make a diluted rinse using about 1 to 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to 1 quart of water. An ACV helps remove the residue in the hair that can cause yellowing. Since gray hair tends to be dryer, this recipe is more dilute. A simple ACV rinse is easy to make.
What is the rarest color of hair?
The rarest natural hair colour is red, which makes up only one to two percent of the global population. You commonly see these hair colours in western and northern areas of Europe, especially Scotland and Ireland. However, natural redheads may not exist for much longer.
According to sources, red hair and beards are a genetic trait that is specific to Nordic tribes. It's even thought that some Norsem*n 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.
Since red hair is a recessive trait, the children of two redheaded parents will almost always be redheaded as well. In contrast, if only one parent is redheaded and the other has brown hair, there is a higher chance that the children will display the dominant trait and will have brown hair.
We can confidently say, you really do not need to worry about that daily beard application taking away your color. Well fellas, as you can see, there is just no need to worry that your daily beard oil application will strip away the color you've used to conceal those pesky grays.
Beard growth fullness may also be affected by testosterone. There is some evidence that linear hair growth rate, meaning how fast your beard grows, is determined by the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) you produce. DHT is a byproduct of testosterone, activated by an enzyme in the hair follicle's oil glands.
It's a fairly common misconception that a man's beard is inherited directly from his father. The truth is that beards are just like most other genetically derived features: they can come from either side of the family. The unique feature of beards, obviously, is that they don't appear until maturity.
Ethnicity
People from Mediterranean countries tend to be able to grow thick beards compared to people from other regions. According to a 2016 study , Chinese men generally have less facial hair growth than Caucasian men.
It simply means that someone else in your family may have had red hair. Hair color is determined by genetics. So when a person is born, they inherit genes from both their parents as well as their grandparents, and they can even inherit genes from earlier ancestors.
For example, many men have beards that are a completely different color than the rest of their hair. That is because the hair follicles on your body have different colors and textures in them. Some hair follicles on your body produce a darker color than others.
If a person has just one of the mutated genes, red hair can appear in sporadic places around the body as a result. This can be on the beard, eyebrows and pubic region, according to IFLScience.com.
Why do guys grow beards after a breakup?
Emotional Healing and Self-Expression. After a breakup, many guys feel a sense of loss and uncertainty. They may also experience a lack of control over the situation and their own emotions. Growing a beard can be a way to take back some control and express themselves in a new way.
Beard burn is a specific type of rash. A person can develop beard burn when their skin comes into contact with another person's facial hair. This can happen when the person's skin rubs against somebody else's beard, causing friction. Specifically, beard burn can develop as a result of kissing or receiving oral sex.
Age can certainly influence hair and beard color, but it doesn't really impact the difference between the head and beard hairs. Age will primarily just influence it changing color over time to grey and white which is caused by a decrease in Melanin production over time.
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. You can still be a redhead even if you don't have red hair on top of your head any longer because genetically you haven't changed.
