Beard turning gray? Here’s what is going on!

Despite George Clooney and Richard Gere sporting gray beards for years and rocking the look, some men are not comfortable with the “silver” look. Perhaps it has something to do with our obsession of looking young or our fear of change. That having been said, premature greying is not the norm and, for better or worse, requires a trip to the dermatologist.

The graying process is called achromotrichia – it is when hair loses pigmentation. While no one knows what causes achromotrichia, we do have some theories. The causes also differ from person to person. Some men may experience graying because of their genetic makeup too, while others are influenced by environmental factors such as stress, diet, and toxin exposure. Here is a look at some of the causes:

Smoking and other toxins

According to a study, smokers are more likely to develop grey hair than non-smokers. This is because smoke elements are toxic to the hair and can help breakdown the cells, thereby causing damage. If you do not smoke but spend time with smokers, your beard hair can still be impacted.

It would help if you also are careful about what you put on your face. Several skincare or ‘cleaning’ products that you use to keep yourself groomed can also be the cause because of the ingredients in them. A good rule of thumb is to choose products that contain zero chemicals and those that are plant-based. We are happy to claim that all Gentsscape products are 100% natural, so you can use them without any worries.

Diet

As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” If you are eating oily fast foods, it will most likely manifest on your face, hair, and energy level. It goes without saying a balanced diet is key to a healthy body. So, you can delay the achromotrichia process by including foods rich in Vitamin A, copper, and iron especially if you are prone to graying because of genetics. Besides, ditch overly fried food and limit the caffeine intake if you want in increase your overall dapperness!  

Stress

Stress is not just bad for the skin; it also activates the graying of the hair. Stress causes an imbalance between antioxidant defenses and free radicals, killing the cells responsible for producing color. There are several products in the market that help maintain the balance but the best way to deal with the situation is to keep your stress under control. Your body and your hair will thank you for it. 

Despite our discussion on how to offset the graying process, one thing is for sure. Graying of hair will happen sooner and later. You will also notice that when your hair has melanin, the texture is better. When it loses melanin, you will find the hair changes texture and becomes rougher. We suggest that you invest in hydrating products that keep the hair moisturized and healthy-looking in such circumstances. Try  one of Gentsscape’s beard oils.

There are plenty of remedies for reversing graying on the internet, and you will be tempted to try them out. The truth is that these remedies do not work, and you will be wasting your time if you take them seriously. There is no cure; even science has not been able to help us in the matter. However, this information is not a license to abandon grooming. Looking dapper is not about the color but about keeping the facial hair trimmed, clean, and moisturized. If you started your salt and pepper journey, embrace it with your heart and take care of your hair.

Remember George Clooney and Richard Gere are dapper and have women swooning over them because of their salt and pepper look!