Have you ever come across a man with two different hair colors? Like a person with black hair but a blonde beard or mustache, or a person with half red half black hair for example. Such phenomena make you wonder and think of all the reasons behind how they occur. In today’s blog, we take a deep dive into the topic and try to unveil the reasons why some gentlemen can have two different hair colors.
What Determines Head and Beard Colors?
To answer this question, you have to understand a couple of things about what melanin is, and how your individuality actually plays a role in determining your hair color. Your head or beard hair color is mainly determined by the amount of melanin that your body produces. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term melanin, it's a type of pigment that's produced by special cells in your body called melanocytes, and it has two types. The first type of melanin is called eumelanin and it's responsible for the brown or black shades, while the second one is called pheomelanin and it's responsible for red to yellow shades. So your hair color has a lot to do with which type of melanin your body produces most. In addition to this, there are a variety of factors that determine your hair color as well. Here are a few good examples:
Genetics:
The genetic factor plays a major role in determining beard colors in addition to head hair colors because they control the production and distribution of melanin in different areas of your body. Genes that play a role in determining beard colors can differ from one region to another, resulting in color variations between head and facial hair.
Hormonal Influence:
In addition to genes, Androgen hormones like testosterone also play an important role in hair growth and color. The amount and intensity of such hormones can create different patterns and colors of facial hair compared to scalp hair. A colored beard highly relies on such factors to gain its uniqueness.
Age:
Aging is the primary reason behind the development of white hair in a beard. As you age, your body's production and distribution of melanin may decrease, causing your hair to become gray or white. This disruption can occur at different times and rates, contributing to differences in color.
Exposure to Sunlight:
You might not know this, but sunlight can actually lighten head and beard colors over time. Due to its ultraviolet radiation, sunlight can break down your body's melanin content in the long run, which causes your hair color to seem paler in a way. However, your head and facial hair may receive different amounts of sunlight exposure, leading to color differences. So, if you want to keep a unified and rich hair color shade, keep away from direct sunlight.
Texture and Thickness:
Men's beard hair tends to be much thicker in texture and may appear darker or lighter depending on how the light reflects off its surface. This can create the perception of a different color compared to the finer hairs on your scalp.
So, What’s The Deal With Red Beards?
A ginger beard is one of the most fascinating phenomena that often garners attention. So, if you're wondering, "Where does red hair come from?" Here are a few reasons behind their distinctive appearance.
Genetics Again:
As we’ve already mentioned, genetics play a major role in determining hair color. Only this time, there's one particular gene at play, and it's called MC1R. Certain variations of this gene tend to produce more pheomelanin than eumelanin, which results in the forming of red or ginger hair.
Incomplete Dominance:
Genetic factors responsible for hair color can be a bit complex. For example, if your father gave you one copy of the MC1R gene, and your mother gave you one copy of the normal gene, chances are, you're going to have a ginger beard no matter what your head's hair color is. This phenomenon is known as incomplete dominance.
Variability:
The MC1R gene is strongly associated with red hair, but the expression of this gene can vary from one person to another. Some people may have a full head of red hair along with a red beard, while others may have only a red beard with a different scalp hair color.
Cultural Significance:
Particularly in Western societies, red beards have traditionally been linked to specific cultural stereotypes. Away from scientific facts, red hair is frequently linked to characteristics like audacity, bravery, and a fiery disposition. This cultural perception may add to the enigmatic nature surrounding red facial hair.
What Beard Colors are More Prone to Turning White Early?
Like anything related to hair color, graying is influenced by a variety of factors including genetics, environmental factors, age, and lifestyle. However, While any beard color can eventually turn white with age, some shades may be more vulnerable to early graying than others. Let’s discuss this a bit further:
Black and Dark Brown:
Black and dark brown hairs may show signs of early graying due to the contrast between the dark and the white or gray shades, which makes the graying process seem more prominent. Your hair is probably not turning white this quickly, but the lighter shades stand out in comparison.
Blonde and Light Brown:
Beards with lighter tones, like blondes and light browns, could seem to become gray more slowly than those with darker tones. This is due to the less pronounced contrast between light-colored hair and gray or white hair.
Red Hair:
Premature graying in red beards is also possible, though the graying process may be less obvious because red hair naturally has a lighter tint to it.
It's important to keep in mind that graying is a natural and inevitable part of aging, so when it happens to you, try to make peace with it and look for healthy ways to cover it if you don't like having it.
In Conclusion:
There are a lot of factors that determine your hair and beard colors. If you want to experiment with your hair color and try other things, it’s best to look for a professional hair stylist who can provide you with what you need without harming your hair and skin.