If you are in the early stages of growing your beard you may be wondering: do beards get darker with age? It can be a very painful and long process watching your beard grow. In fact, if you open only recently started puberty beards grow much later in the puberty cycle because it is a secondary effect. Most beard growers start noticing their beard growing at the age of about 16 or 17. However, many beard growers do not experience significant beard growth until their mid-20s or later. In this article we are going to discover whether or not beards get dark with age and how you can make your beard darker if you want to accelerate the process.
Yes, beards to get darker with age because the vellus hair turns into terminal hair after puberty. The Beard hairs also get longer and thicker, which absorbs more light, and as your beard grows it becomes dense, the hairs intertwine so that it traps more light making it look like a thicker and fuller beard.
As with most things in the Beard world patience and persistence is your number one friend. To understand why beards get darker with age we need to understand a little bit about how testosterone affects the hairs on your face.
Article Contents
The reason beads get darker
The number one reason why your beard gets darker as you age is that the vellus hairs turn into terminal hairs. Let’s take a little bit more of a look into the action of testosterone, once it is produced by the body, and how the hairs on your face respond to it.
Vellus hair to terminal hair
If you look closely across your entire body you will notice that there are very tiny hairs all over every part of your body. Areas such as your earlobe, or forehead have this very thin and translucent hair coverage.
Is your beard "bad"? What makes a beard bad?
These are the vellus hairs, which can also be called baby hair or fuzz, and are present on the human body from childhood.
The growth cycle of vellus hair to terminal hair follows the following path:
- Lanugo – this type of hair is first produced by beetle hair follicles and is present on the foetus from about 16 weeks of gestation up to 33 weeks until birth.
- Vellus – the less hair replaces the previous type of hair and is present in children and adults. It is an essential part of controlling your temperature as well as providing sensory input for detecting and sensing 3D space around you.
- Terminal – vellus hairs can turn into terminal hairs once they have reached puberty. The notable change is that vellus hair is stronger, longer, and more noticeable due to its thickness.
This transition occurs because some parts of your body have receptors which respond to testosterone and its derivatives such as DHT. A study published in 2008 goes through the effect of these hormones and hair growth.
The main hormones regulating changes in human hair follicles are called androgens. In mammals hair is produced by the hair follicle which is a highly complicated organ which is crucial for evolutionary purposes.
Androgens stimulate the tiny vellus follicles which turn the superfine vellus hairs into larger and deeper follicles which can grow thicker and more pigmented hair. This is shown in the figure from the study, below.
![Do beards get darker with age? [The simple answer] (1)](https://i0.wp.com/beardgrowingpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-03-18-16.38.28-onlinelibrary.wiley_.com-915d86de42c3.jpg "Do beards get darker with age? [The simple answer] (1)")
Although these androgens can stimulate hair growth on the face and the upper chest and other areas, in men they can also have the opposite effect on the scalp which can cause balding. This is essentially a reverse version of what happens on the beard where the long and thick pigmented hairs become vellus hairs with much smaller hair roots.
This is an issue which is commonly encountered by men and is a hormonal paradox as the same hormone can have completely opposite effects depending on the hair follicles sensitivity to the androgen hormone.
- During puberty, the first facial hair to appear tends to grow at the corners of the upper lip (age 11–15).
- It then spreads to form a mustache over the entire upper lip (age 16–17).
- This is followed by the appearance of hair on the upper part of the cheeks and the area under the lower lip (age 16–18).
- It eventually spreads to the sides and lower border of the chin and the rest of the lower face to form a full beard (age 17–21).
- Although this order is commonly seen, it can vary widely, with some facial hair starting from the chin and up towards the sideburns.
The reason hair follicles respond so differently is because of the genes that the person has inherited and are expressed at different hair follicles at different sites on the body. Interestingly, a follicle will retain its original androgen response even when transplanted. Genetics play a very important role and heavy beard growth and building runs in families of Caucasians and exhibit more hair than Japanese descendants and they also have more boldness than African descendants.
This is the biggest reason why beard hairs get darker as you get older but there are also other effects which can make a beard look darker as men get older.
Beard hairs intertwine and get longer
As hairs get older and longer, they become intertwined together. This wrapping and interaction between the Beard hairs means that there is an appearance of thicker and darker hairs. When, in fact, it is really lots of hairs joining together which give a more substantial look and density to the Beard.
If you want your beards hairs to start to intertwine you need to grow it out for at least three months so that the hairs are long enough and flexible enough to start to wrap around each other. This traps more light and absorbs more light giving the appearance of a darker beard.
Sometimes, people feel like they need a little bit of help with creating a darker beard. In the next section we are going to go over all of the ways that you can get a darker beard which includes the application of some products you may not have heard of.
How to get dark beard
Getting a darker beard is relatively easy if you know the simple steps and products you can use to give your beard a darker and more substantial look. Here are all of the ways that you can get a dark beard.
Let it grow
It is a common joke on my YouTube channel that pretty much every single beard issue can be resolved by letting it grow – getting a darker beard is no exception!
Patience is the ultimate virtue when you are growing a beard. If you are in the early stages of puberty and your beard growth journey – fear not – you have plenty of time to grow your beard and for it to develop.
If you are after the age of 25 and you want a darker beard one thing you can do is let it grow so that the hairs get longer and look more substantial. If you want to read more about why beards look so thin check out my other article – why does my beard look so thin – everything you can do about it – click here to be taken to the article.
The one thing that makes a beard look more substantial is the density of the hairs. You’ll notice that your chin and moustache are the areas with the highest density of beard hairs and these will tend to look the darkest on many men.
Before you make any rash decisions on whether or not your beard is dark enough make sure that you wait at least six months of good amount of growth before deciding your beard is not dark enough. A lot of the time or you need is a few months of growth to completely change your beard and how you feel about.
Dye it
Dying your beard is one of the quickest ways to make it look darker. If you want to find out more about dying your beard check out my other article – is it okay to dye your beard, busting the myths – click here to be taken to article.
Dying your beard a darker colour is an awesome option for people with naturally light beard hairs and you can find a good selection of organic and easy-to-use hair dye for beards. Regular dying may cause issues such as beard hair damage and a thinning beard. This is because some beard dies contain harsh chemicals which can slowly erode the Beard hair and make it brittle. Freshly coloured beard hair has a slightly thinner texture than normal but you can use products like extra virgin coconut oil and aloe vera gel to prevent the beard from thinning out too much.
How to dye your beard
after you’ve chosen the right beard dye in terms of colour and application preference here are the steps that you need to go through:
- firstly, test a small part of your body with the dye to make sure that it won’t irritate your skin on your face. You should aim to do a small coin sized area before launching into your full beard. Do this test on your forearm where the skin is a little bit more sensitive to make sure that you don’t get a reaction.
- Do not wash your beard before colouring. Get rid of any obvious dirt about two days before but a good beard dye requires a little bit of natural oil in your skin for the beard dye to transfer properly. A dry and brittle beard is much harder to get to absorb the dye molecules.
- Make sure that you wear and of T-shirt because the beard dye will stain everywhere that it touches. Also you could cover the area you have chosen to dye your beard with an old sheet or some cling wrap. This will keep everyone you share the bathroom with happy.
- Use Vaseline on the lines of your beard (like cheek and necklines) where you do not want the beard dye to take. Some beard dyes can dye the skin as well as their hair and you do not want it to darken the skin and make the lines of the beard uneven.
- Then use the product as recommended by the manufacturer. Follow all of the steps and wait for the appropriate amount of time for the dye to take.
- Wash out your beard with water until the water runs clear. And then pat dry your beard with a towel. There may still be a little bit of dye left in the beard so you should use a towel that you don’t mind throwing out or reusing for beard dying.
If in doubt always follow the recommendations of the manufacturer and read the entire process before starting to make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to get the dye to take to your beard efficiently and give you the best results.
Use Beard pencil
You can purchase a beard filler pencil which gives you a much darker beard. The great thing about using a commercially available beard filler is that you do not get any smudges and it is water and sweat resistance.
![Do beards get darker with age? [The simple answer] (2)](https://i0.wp.com/beardgrowingpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/61LHDjgDL._SL1500_-819x1024.jpg "Do beards get darker with age? [The simple answer] (2)")
The process for using a beard pencil filler is to start by drawing on the contour of your beard and moustache so that you have defined the ages. Then you simply brush the product over the rest of your beard as if colouring in between the lines.
This product is great if you have a patchy beard as it will even out the colour and perceived thickness and density over your entire face. You can even use it on your eyebrows or other areas of your body hair that you want to appear thicker.
It has been designed with four tips on the top so that it’s easy to apply and get a well-defined edge.
Use beard hair fibres
there is also a product called Toppik hair fibres. These hair fibres are made of coloured kerosene that is ecstatically charge which intertwine with your existing hair for a natural look.
These hair fibres typically resist things like wind and rain but they easily removed with a shampoo. This means they are not a permanent solution to having a light and thin looking beard but for a special occasion they are the perfect solution.
Frequently asked questions
Here some answers to typically answer questions about beard darkness.
Do beards get thicker with age?
Beards do get thicker with age because of the same reasons that beard hairs get darker. You need to look at the hormonal effect of testosterone and its derivatives like DHT on beard hairs to understand why they get thicker with age.
This doesn’t mean, however, that beard hairs will inevitably get thick. One of the number-one things that determine your beard colour, thickness, and other properties are your genes. Have a look at your family and your heritage for an indication of the sort of beard thickness that you will be able to grow. There is a rumour that this is determined by the genetic heritage from your mothers side but both play an important role.
At what age is beard fully developed?
Beards are typically fully developed at the age of about 35. But this can change for individuals based on their genetic heritage. Most people start growing a beard in their late teens and only really fully develop the capacity to grow beard later in their 20s and early 30s.
If you are only just starting to grow a beard you have a lot of time and potential to grow your beard and patience is really the only tool that you can use to make sure that your beard becomes a beard that you are happy with.
Do beards get better with age?
This is a very subjective question but in my opinion, yes, beards get better with age. This is because the hairs on your face have fully developed and you are also able to hone in on the perfect style and maintenance routine for your beard.
This combination of genetics and practice maintaining your beard means that beards tend to get better with age.
The bottom line
In this article we have looked at whether or not beards get darker with age. We have looked at the science which explains why the vellus hairs on your face turn into dark terminal hairs and the important factors which determine how thick and dark your beard looks i.e. the beard density.
If you are not happy with what your beard naturally does you can use products like beard dyes, beard pencils, and hair fibres to fill in the gaps of your beard that you are not most satisfied with. Ultimately, your beard is unique to you so that you can grow a beard that you are happy with.
Growing a beard takes a long time and patience in the early stages will mean that you lay a great foundation for a thick and dark beard later on in your beard growing journey. Do not lose patience and continue to let your beard!
Happy beard growing!
FAQs
Does your beard get darker as you age? ›
Age or genetics. If you're younger, your facial hair might be blonder, but as you get older, it will get darker and coarser.
Does beard color change with age? ›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.
Will my beard get darker as it grows? ›As more hairs increase in length and combine together, the appearance of your beard becomes thicker and darker. If the hair on your head is naturally darker than your beard hair; growing out the hair on your head will give the impression that your beard is darker.
Do beards change with age? ›Yes, your beard can get thicker with age. But you'll need to be patient—it may take years to achieve the fullness and density you want. The exact amount of growth depends on a number of factors: genetics, diet, stress levels and overall health—all things that affect hair growth in general.
What makes your beard darker? ›Use Cocoa Paste
In order to make your beard look darker, you can also use cocoa paste. While cocoa is a delicious powder, the same can be used on your beard as well. All you need to do is make a thick paste of it with water and apply it on your beard. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
Hair is coarser, thicker and darker. This can be due to virilization, or excess production of androgens. Sudden changes in facial hair patterns might mean your body is sending a sign something has changed. It can signal a hormonal imbalance caused by a medical condition or a side effect of medications.
Why do guys beard turn orange? ›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.
Does sun make beard darker? ›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.
What age do men's beards go grey? ›Men can start having a grey beard in their 20s but most start in their 30s or 40s. The most common reason why beards are turning grey is genetics. After a certain number of years, your genes give directions to your body to stop producing melanin in your hair follicles – the substance that gives skin and hair colour.
What ethnicity grows the best beard? ›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.
How long does it take beard hair to darken? ›
Grow out your beard for four weeks.
You can also make your beard look darker by growing a thicker beard. Let your beard grow out for at least four weeks. Many people feel that their beard is patchy, but in most cases you will not know how full your beard can be unless you grow it out fully.
“But how thick it is depends on genetics.” Genetics also affect where facial hair grows and when your beard reaches its full potential. “From ages 18 to 30, most beards continue to develop in thickness and coarseness,” he says.
Does a beard make a man look older or younger? ›According to studies, beards make a man look older by nearly 8 years. interestingly, the longer the beard, the older you look. So, if you want to look older, grow a beard (or a longer one). If you want to look younger, shave (or trim) your facial hair and use Volt Beard Color to help cover your grays.
What age does beard become full? ›Most men will have a full beard by their early 20s, but some may need to wait until they hit 30 to reach full beard growth. Puberty might initiate the facial hair growing process, but how fast and thick your beard grows will depend on factors that we'll discuss below, including genetics and hormone levels.
Why is my beard shadow so dark? ›This is what's known as a beard shadow, and it's caused by the way facial hair grows. Unlike the hair on your head, which grows evenly in all directions, facial hair tends to grow downward. As a result, when you shave close to the skin, the hair below the surface is not cut evenly.
What changes a man's beard color? ›There you have it fellow beardsmen: the color of hair-follicles is determined by genetics, but can also be influenced by stress levels, nutrition, and exposure to UV light. Remember that each individual hair follicle in your beard is unique and wants to express its true colors.
How can I get rid of my dark beard? ›Use products that accelerate cell turnover to help disperse pigment from the skin's surface. Vitamin A, mandelic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid are good choices. Pair these with brightening ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid, or hydroquinone.
What hormone causes dark facial hair? ›Hirsutism (HUR-soot-iz-um) is a condition in women that results in excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern — face, chest and back. With hirsutism, extra hair growth often arises from excess male hormones (androgens), primarily testosterone.
Does plucking chin hair make it grow more? ›According to Dr. Lertzman, tweezing or shaving certain areas of your face does not change how quickly the hairs grow back or how long the hairs remain on the face.
Why do I have hair on my chin at 40? ›As those hormones decline, hair growth slows, well, sort of. Unfortunately, this is also the time when coarse, dark hairs may start popping up on your upper lip, chin, or jaw line.
Why do beards itch? ›
WHY YOUR BEARD ITCHES. Your beard can itch because of dry skin, infection, dermatitis, irritation from overgrooming, washing too much, washing too little, or washing with the wrong products. Don't worry though, you probably don't have all these problems. Probably you just have one.
Why do Middle Eastern men have orange beards? ›It has nothing to do with religion whatsover; it is actually the latest beauty trend to take over Bangladesh. According to news agency AFP, the trend was reportedly started by older men who want to take years off their faces by dyeing their graying beards with henna, a type of dye made out of plants.
Why do people with brown hair have orange beards? ›"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.
What does it mean if you have a red beard? ›Red hair pigmentation is caused by a mutation in a gene researchers call the MC1R. If you have two of these mutated genes then you have all red hair. If you just have one of these genes then you'll have red hair in random places in your body – including your beard.
What does beard balm do? ›A beard balm works as a leave-in conditioner which will moisturize, condition, style and soften your beard. Cremo Beard Balm contains moisturizing shea butter, sunflower oil to help condition and boost growth and beeswax which helps seal in moisture.
Why do I have red hairs in my black beard? ›Often you may find that if you have some red hairs somewhere in your beard is because of both genetics and amount of pigmentation. An excess of pheomelanin can contribute to those random red hairs. Somewhere down the line in your family lineage, these genes were there and resurfaced from some distant ancestor.
What is the average age to go grey female? ›Some women may begin going gray in their 30s or 40s. But for others, the process may begin as early as when they're 20 years old. For some women, hair can be a form of self expression. When it begins to turn gray, some women think nothing of it or even realize that they love their new silvery strands.
Why do guys go grey early? ›Why do some guys go grey in their 20s, while others reach their 40s without a single silver strand in sight? We know that genetics play a role in the greying process, but scientists still haven't pinpointed the exact reason some guys become silver foxes before others.
Does a gray beard look good? ›A gray beard can be a great enhancement, but not if you've let it get scraggy and out of condition. Although the hairs are softer, split ends can still be a problem and we recommend continuing with all the products you used before to keep your beard at its finest.
What races do not grow facial hair? ›Ethnicity
Your originality can affect the growth pattern of your facial hair [1]. A study on The male beard hair and facial skin – challenges for shaving reveal that Chinese, Mexican, and Native American men tend to have less facial hair than Caucasian men [2].
What does a beard say about a man? ›
In some studies, bearded men are shown as not only masculine and dominant but also kind, courageous, trustworthy, generous, hard working and more attractive, especially when their character comes across as quietly confident in their approach to life.
What religion allows you to grow a beard? ›Some religions (such as some sects of Islam, and Sikhism) have considered a full beard to be essential and mandate it as part of their observance.
Is beard hair darker than head hair? ›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.
How many days beard color last? ›How long does it last? Permanent dye will last until your beard hair grows out or you shave it off. If you or a barber use semi-permanent dye, expect this product to last 3 to 6 weeks, Abdullah says.
Can your beard change color? ›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.
Does pubic hair go grey? ›Just like the hair on the head, the hair on the rest of the body, including the pubic area, is subject to graying. As people age, their skin produces less melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for giving skin and hair its color.
What deficiency causes grey beard? ›Although the primary cause of premature hair graying (PHG) is considered to be genetic, certain environmental factors also play a role. Trace element deficiencies such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and calcium may also be associated with PHG.
Can a GREY hair turn black again? ›Despite the claims made online and by product marketers, it's not possible to reverse white hair if the cause is genetic. Once your hair follicles lose melanin, they can't produce it on their own. As melanin production slows, your hair turns gray, and then white when melanin production has completely stopped.
Should you brush your beard up or down? ›Comb the beard up and out, starting from the bottom — Go from the neck to the chin, then the cheeks, to separate the hairs to make your beard look as full as possible. Slowly comb out snags — If you pull too hard, you can hurt yourself and rip out your hairs; always go slow and easy (like the Whitesnake song).
Why do men's beards grow thicker with age? ›Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are both culprits for regulating and stimulating facial hair growth. In most cases, higher Testosterone and DHT result in faster, thicker, and better beard growth. Having low levels of Testosterone can negatively affect your beard growth.
Does growing a beard increase testosterone? ›
The results showed that beard length (directly measured and self-reported) was not related to testosterone levels or dominance; thus, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that beards are honest (or dishonest) signals of the beard owners' testosterone levels and dominance.
How can a 60 year old man look younger? ›To keep your skin from adding years to your looks, wear sunscreen, moisturizer, and lip balm daily. Retinoids can help you slough off old skin cells. You can find them in many over-the-counter products or get a stronger version by prescription from a dermatologist.
Do grey beards make you look older? ›Unfortunately, a grey beard may make you look older than you are and not in a good way. It may make you look like a man in his 60s or 70s when you're actually in your 20s. A more permanent solution might be getting rid of it and keeping only stubble on the face.
Do beards look good on older guys? ›The full beard is excellent for the older gentleman if you have patience and can grow a thick and glorious mane. Although it might seem as simple as growing your beard as long as possible, the long beard lends itself to many ancillary styling options.
Are full grown beards attractive? ›In general they found women rated beards higher for attractiveness compared with clean-shaven faces, particularly when judging potential for long-term rather than short-term relationships. In general, the results showed a mixed link between attractiveness and beardiness.
Are beards attractive? ›Beards make a man seem more manly
Another study found that men with beards may be seen as more masculine, mature and as having a higher social status. These traits are clearly important contributors to the overall sense of attractiveness.
So, how often should you trim grow when growing out your beard? If you want to grow it out, I'd recommend trimming every 6-8 weeks to keep the length. This is long enough to keep the hairs healthy and still let them grow longer with each trim.
What age does beard peak? ›Most men will experience their biggest beard growth from around age 25 to 35, although it varies for each person. Testosterone, a hormone, propels beard growth more than any other factor.
Why is my beard changing color? ›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.
At what age is your beard fully developed? ›Most men will have a full beard by their early 20s, but some may need to wait until they hit 30 to reach full beard growth. Puberty might initiate the facial hair growing process, but how fast and thick your beard grows will depend on factors that we'll discuss below, including genetics and hormone levels.
At what age beard starts Greying? ›
Men can start having a grey beard in their 20s but most start in their 30s or 40s. The most common reason why beards are turning grey is genetics. After a certain number of years, your genes give directions to your body to stop producing melanin in your hair follicles – the substance that gives skin and hair colour.
Does facial hair grow more as you get older? ›Day, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. As we age, our bodies lose estrogen; testosterone, unopposed, causes us to grow more hair where men have it, on our faces (and to grow less on our heads).
Why do men get ginger beards? ›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.
What does it mean when a guy has a red beard? ›Basically, there's a gene called MC1R that, when it's mutated, is responsible for red hair. If it gets passed down from both parents, you get the full-blown red hair/fair skin combo. But when you've only got one mutated MC1R gene, red hair can appear in other places. Like your beard.
Do beards stop growing at a certain length? ›Conclusion. Beards never stop growing. However, individual hairs reach a maximum length, fall out, and begin the growth cycle again. In addition, there is a host of factors that can change growth rate, full length, and length in general.
Why can't I grow a beard at 40? ›Answer: Poor beard growth
Some men are just not genetically programmed to develop beard hair. It is difficult to see your beard area in the photograph submitted but perhaps you should just accept that this is your situation.
A gray beard can be a great enhancement, but not if you've let it get scraggy and out of condition. Although the hairs are softer, split ends can still be a problem and we recommend continuing with all the products you used before to keep your beard at its finest.
Can you reverse grey beard? ›Just as you can't prevent gray hairs from growing, you can't reverse gray hair either. But there are ways to manage hair graying: Beard Dye – Dyeing your beard can help conceal and minimize gray and white hair from showing.
Why do men's beards turn grey first? ›Most people observe the greying of a beard much before the hair on their head. This is because beard hair grows faster than the hair on your head. They exhaust more melanin in the same amount of time.