Beard questions

[Kylo]

I figure I'll probably be asking a few specific beard questions in future so I'll make this topic and come back to it if need be.

One question to the guys with beard growth - did you find the more terminal hairs changing colors from week to week when they first start to come in? Typically they're dark, but I've noticed some of them especially under the lip coming in dark first and then lighter following a shave. I'm shaving for the moment every 1-2 weeks or so, but not expecting that to affect it. They seem to be changing from week to week. Anyone else notice something similar?

I seriously doubt I'm old enough yet for salt and pepper but I guess you never know. 

[jagfel]

Once my terminal hairs came in they've been completely dark until they've been left unshaven for at least a month where they go dark blonde.

Could just be weird thing your body has decided to do.

[Rengar]

Sounds like transitional hairs to me! From all of the research I've done I've learned that beard and other androgenic hair tends to have three stages: Vellus, Transitional and Terminal. Think of it like child, teenager, adult. Your mustache hairs that you're shaving are teenagers that should mature within the next 2 - 6 months depending on your genetic make up. Don't be alarmed when your beard "sheds" either. That's the exogen phase of hair growth. It's just new hair replacing old hair.

I would advise to stay away from the razor unless you have another obligation that requires you to be clean shaven. Rub your face for blood flow, eat a lot of protein, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and use biotin! I would also advise against the use minoxidil. From the research I've done I've also learned that minoxidil drys out your skin, swelling, irritation and even though the new hairs pop up, they have been known to fall out once you quit using it. You can view this thread on a beard forum I research for many different experiences with minoxidil: http://jefffsbeardboard.yuku.com/topic/28950#.WTse4Ovyvcc

[Kylo]

Thanks all.

I'm still not sure what to make of the huge variation in experiences of minoxidil users. Some are swearing by it, others hate it. I would prefer not to have to use it, just another expense for me, the problem is I see people reporting on the short term effects of using it positively but less on the long term or effects after quitting.

[jagfel]

Biotin, like Rengar suggested, is usually a cheaper route to go with from what I've found. Or even just a home brand 'hair & skin' vitamin. It might give you the boost you need for your facial hair to even out without being too costly.

If you can find a cheap box of minoxidil (Kirklands I think is cheapest) you can always give it a go for a month or two but it's definitely a "use at your own risk" situation. Drink plenty of water and look into moisturisers if you do.

[Kylo]

I'll pick up some biotin for sure. I already do eat a lot of protein, but given the good reviews of biotin I see it seems a good idea. Noticed my nails are a bit tougher than they used to be since T as well, but given I now maintain a whole lot more body hair, guess there's a need to adjust for all that extra keratin production in diet intake.

[TransAm]

On a related side note, be a little wary of biotin. It can cause a ton of acne if used in useful amounts for hair-related benefits.
I was taking a supplement early on in my transition. I thought the acne was related to the T (I'm sure some of it was) so I didn't think anything of it until I looked it up. Once I stopped taking the supplement, my acne cleared up almost completely and I haven't had anything of significance since.

For me personally, biotin did nothing for my hair or the speed of its growth but it did make my nails a hell of a lot stronger.

https://www.google.com/search?q=biotin+and+acne&ie=&oe=

[CursedFireDean]

Any "color changing" type thing I ever noticed was just due to lighting! My transitional hairs in particular can be very dark or very light just depending on how the light hits them! Once hair was for sure a terminal hair, it stayed that color.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[November Fox]

Yes, mine came in blond and ginger, and changed to being darker. My hair also changes color due to sunlight, so that could be a thing.

[SeptagonScars]

Most of my beard (terminal hairs) are dark brown, but some just around my mouth (mostly the hairs that connect my mustache with my goatee) are light-medium blonde and they seem to stay that way. I've heard it's not uncommon for (non-trans) men to have multi-colour beards without any grays. I dye my beard black though to make it look more even, and match my hair.

[IzzyC]

I've heard it's not uncommon for (non-trans) men to have multi-colour beards without any grays. I dye my beard black though to make it look more even, and match my hair.

I hope its' ok for me to comment here on this!

This is true though, when I was a late-teen/early 20's and not shaving constantly my facial hair had lots of mixed colors in it ranging from gray/white-ish to red and such. Especially the red, which is common to see in people with black hair.

It doesn't happen much, if at all, on your head but expect your beard to do weird things like this.

[MeTony]

May I ask, is there some way to get a hint of what kind of / how thick beard is coming? I have no T yet (pic is yet photoshopped)

I have never waxed or plucked my hair on my chin or upper lip. I am pretty hairy as is, but its is very bright, blonde hair. Is that what will turn dark?

[Kylo]

It's quite unpredictable, one day you can have no dark hairs and then a day or so later you might notice a bunch have appeared. The only indicator I noticed was that the blond hairs get thicker in the pattern where the terminals appear, and may or may not change color whenever they feel like it. It's quite slow for me at the moment, but all the ones that have turned into proper beard hairs did this before turning. They became hard and tougher first, the first part to turn was the upper lip area as well. Followed by sideburn area/chin/neck (in that order)