How to Reverse White Beard with Natural Treatments?

A man with folded hands | treatment for white beard

If you have a white beard, the chances are you have faced some challenges with it. It can be hard seeing other men with perfectly trimmed black beards and wondering how they can be looking young and handsome.

What causes white beard hair?

Mostly white beards are naturally occurring, but the younger generation is suffering from this disorder. Melanin plays an essential role in the production of hair and skin colour phenomena. This condition could negatively affect them, so they must seek the best solution available. People can find it puzzling why older people have such a problem with their beard growth. Well, one possible cause for this may be a deficiency of melanin.

Melanocytes are responsible for producing melanin. There are three types of melanin.

1. Eumelanin:

Colours your hair, skin, and eyes. There are of types, namely brown and black. Greybeard happens due to a lack or deficiency of eumelanin.

2. Pheomelanin:

It colours pinkish parts of a body, such as lips. Red hair is due to an equal mixture of pheomelanin and eumelanin.

3. Neuromelanin:

Found in the brain, it colours the neurons

Do not pluck your white beard or grey hair, as you might have heard about the myth that plucking grey hair can increase grey hair. Well, it doesn’t, but you need to know that plucking hair and beard will damage follicles.

Other Causes of Grey Beard or White Beard

Genetics:

Beard greying, just like hair greying, is associated with genetics. It can cause decreased levels of melanin production. It does not play a vital role in the onset of greying beard and hair, but it influences the rate and colour change of the beard and hair.

Tension:

Tension-induced strain is known to lead to main hair problems such as Telogen effluvium. However, Tension-related hair and beard loss are temporary, but the newly grown beard is less pigmented than before. Thus cause greyness.

Bleaching due to H2O2 buildup:

The buildup of Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) inside hair cells acts as bleaching and eliminates all the pigment from the beard. Cells, in general, keep proper levels of HYdrogen peroxide using the Catalase enzyme, which breaks down H2O2. Any decrease in catalase enzyme leads to the building up of H2O2 blocking melanin production and turning the beard grey.

Smoking:

Many studies have found a link between smoking and premature ageing, including grey/ white beard and white hair even before 30.

The study conducted in 2013 indicates that smoking is associated with premature ageing, including changes in facial features.

How to get rid of a White Beard?

Anti-oxidants:

Anti-oxidants neutralize free radicals formed in the body due to various metabolic processes. These free radicals cause cell death causing oxidative tension. Oxidative strain is one of the primary reasons for premature ageing, skin damage, grey hair, and even a white beard.

Include foods like berries, olive oil, green tea, etc that contain high anti-oxidants to help premature greying.

Vitamin Supplements:

Vitamins like Vitamin B12, D, etc are not produced in our body. Taking B12 supplements helps in decreasing deficiencies like biotin and folic acid. Meat and dairy are rich in Vitamin B12.

Carrier Oils:

Carrier oils have low molecular weight, a characteristic feature that allows them to penetrate the hair shaft and protect hair follicles. It also allows them to nourish the follicles. Essential oils like lavender oil, chamomile oil, and cedarwood oils when mixed with carrier oils like coconut oil or argan oil can work wonders on your beard

Many beard styling products such as beard oils, beard wax, beard balms etc have these ingredients as their main component.

Natural Dyes for Beard

Henna: Henna is a natural hair colouring agent which has no known side effects.

Use henna with vinegar, coconut oil, and lemon juice for greater results.

How to prepare henna hair dye for a beard?

To a cup of henna add 1 tablespoon of shikakai, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, ½ tablespoon of coconut oil, and 2 tablespoons of curd
Leave the paste overnight in a bow to allow them to get oxidized.
Wash and dry your beard properly before applying the henna
Apply henna using a brush. Make sure to cover every strand of the beard
Wash it with lukewarm water and rinse it thoroughly
Use a microfiber or cotton towel and dry it off.
Do not use shampoo after applying henna

How to prevent Greying of Beard or White Beard?

Reduce Tension:

As explained earlier Tension-induced strain causes hair loss and follicle damage. Maintaining inner peace and work-life balance will help you in reducing tension levels. Regular workouts and Yoga will also help in reducing tension levels.

Healthy Diet:

Taking nutritious food and making sure to take all kinds of necessary nutrients is very necessary. Have foods that are rich in anti-oxidants, Vitamin C, and also Vitamin B12. Foods like berries, garlic, fruits, etc are also helpful.

Protect from UV rays:

UV rays can cause oxidative tension causing grey or white beard. Using beard styling products will help in protecting your beard from harmful and cancerous UV rays

Quit smoking:

Smoking causes pigment loss and also accelerates pigment loss when compared to those who don’t smoke. So it is advised to quit smoking.

Take Away

A white beard at a young age is not a common thing. It might be due to melanin deficiency, Tension, genetics etc. there are no medical treatments available but natural remedies can work wonders. Having a proper diet and staying away from smoke is also good for decreasing white beard.

FAQs

Why does my beard turn white?

As we age, the cells in our hair follicles produce less pigment, which causes our hair to turn grey or white. This is a natural process that happens to everyone eventually, and it's not necessarily a sign of poor health. However, certain factors like stress, genetics, and smoking can contribute to premature greying.

Is a white beard attractive?

Attractiveness is subjective, so opinions on this will vary from person to person. Some people find white beards to be very attractive and even consider them a sign of wisdom and maturity. Others may not find them as appealing. Ultimately, whether a white beard is attractive or not is up to personal preference.

Which vitamin deficiency causes white beard?

There isn't a specific vitamin deficiency that causes a white beard. However, deficiencies in certain nutrients like vitamin B12, vitamin D, and copper can affect the health of your hair, making it more prone to premature greying. It's important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet to ensure you're getting all the necessary nutrients for optimal health.

References

What Is Melanin? - WebMD
Cigarette Smoking and Skin: A Comparison Study of the Biophysical Properties of Skin in Smokers and Non-Smokers - NCBI

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