How to Bleach Beard with Hydrogen Peroxide: DIY Guide

If you’ve ever seen Eminem in his legendary Slim Shady video, you probably know how bleached hair looks.

The same can be done with your beard.

Bleach contains hydrogen peroxide which helps to make hair lighter and generally removes the pigment from it.

However, you can’t use the same type of bleach for your hair and your beard.

Bleaching your beard with hydrogen peroxide requires you to use specific products which can be used on your face.

One should never use the same bleach that they use for the hair on their face.

There are also certain steps and methods that one needs to follow in order to bleach a beard properly.

We went through all of those and made a definite guide on bleaching beard with hydrogen peroxide.

The only thing that you have to do is to read it and follow all the instructions within it.

We’ve also included some useful tips and DIY methods that can act as an alternative.

So here we go.

What Is Bleach

Bleach is a product you use to remove the dark pigment for your hair, beard, and mustache. In normal lingo, you use bleach to make your hair color lighter. Bleach has an active ingredient called hydrogen peroxide. The bleach for facial and body hair is much milder than for hair. So, don’t get any funny ideas about using your hair bleach for facial hair. There is a reason why those products are different. However, the premium hair relaxer for men can also be used for your beard. 

Benefits of Bleaching Beard With Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is the main ingredient of bleach. It is also a common ingredient for other medical/cosmetic processes, including teeth whitening, wound treatment, and many more. Hydrogen peroxide is H2O2, a chemical compound made from equal parts of hydrogen and oxygen.

Usage of hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen straight into your beard root, reducing the pigment and thus making your beard lighter. It’s one of the basics of styling a thick beard, along with combs, beard oil, and craft beer foam.

Pros and Cons Beard Bleach

Pros

• Hydrogen peroxide works for beard whitening! Your raven-black beard will become snow-white after a few treatments.
• Bleaching your beard at home is MUCH more affordable than going to salons.
• If you prefer a different beard color, bleaching is the way to go. 
• Your skin tone will be evened, as bleach will affect the melanin levels in your skin.
• Your face will look brighter and healthier as bleach takes care of dull skin.

Cons

• Darker facial hair will need more bleaching. Just be patient.
• Some people are sensitive to hydrogen peroxide. Be cautious when applying.
• You might experience some beard damage. Not to worry, because raising your testosterone level improves beard growth. 

Types of Beard Bleaching

Permanent

Permanent bleaching lightens up your beard maximally – up to four levels lighter. The color stays there until your new facial hair grows. Consuming hair vitamins for men will speed up beard growth.

Demi-Permanent

This treatment has a lower volume of hydrogen peroxide. Thus, it will bleach your beard slightly (a few nuances). If your mustache gets in the way, try pomade for men to tame it. You don’t want bleached mustache tops, do you?

Semi-Permanent 

Semi-permanent beard colors don’t bleach your beard, as they don’t contain hydrogen peroxide. They make your outer beard layer brighter. 

How to Bleach Your Beard

Using Just Peroxide 

Of course, protection comes first. Cover the skin close to your beard with petroleum jelly (quarter-sized portion). Cotton strips would also be nice, but you will survive without them. Put on your gloves, and you are good to go.

Step 1 – Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide (3%) and water 

Take a small spray bottle, and fill it with the mix. If you don’t have a bottle, you can always buy some cheap cologne, throw it into the sink, and leave the bottle. Nobody should use cheap cologne. 

Step 2 – Spray a little bit on the back of your wrist

This step is purely for allergic reaction tests. 

Step 3 – Take a clean towel you don’t mind ruining

Put it on your neck and shoulders.

Step 4 – Spray the hydrogen peroxide on your beard

A light-colored beard will take 15 minutes. Dark-colored ones – up to an hour. Rinse your beard thoroughly with lots of clean water.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda 

Step 1 – Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

Use one cup of baking soda and three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide.

Step 2 – Spread the paste evenly on your beard

Longer beards will require some more effort.

Step 3 – Leave it on for 15 minutes

Dark beards will require more time, up to one hour. Rinse the paste with a lot of cold water.

Precautions When Bleaching Beard With Hydrogen Peroxide

Your facial hair and skin are more sensitive than your scalp and hair. So, here are some rules you should follow to make your beard bleaching safe and sound.

• Read the instruction thoroughly.
• Don’t expose your bleached beard/skin to excess sunlight without sunscreen. 
• Your skin needs to be dry, clean, and without fresh cuts or bruises.
• Be extra careful around your eyes and mouth.
• Think about castor oil for the beard if you need some extra hydration 
• Use gloves, creams, cotton pads, anything that can help you.

Methods to Bleach Beard Without Hydrogen Peroxide

We encourage using hair creams for men who like the natural look. We also encourage all-natural solutions, like the three listed above. 

Papaya and Milk

Mash some papaya slices and add milk to make a pulpy paste. Apply it on your face and beard and wash after 10 minutes. This paste will leave your skin smooth and soft, not just bleach your beard.

Tomato Rub

One of the simplest methods. Take a tomato and cut it in half. Take one half of tomato and rub it on your beard. Wait for it to dry, then wash it off. Repeat as long as you want. 

Radish Juice

Wash radish and peel it. Blend it with freshly squeezed lemon juice and apply the mix to your facial hair. Wash after 20 minutes. If you are worried about getting radish juice inside your nose, try using a nose trimmer to solve that issue.

Homemade Methods to Bleaching Beard

Maybe you are worried about hydrogen peroxide safety, and nothing we (or other experts) say will make you change your mind. No biggie. Here are some natural ways to lighten up your beard, as well as your mood.

Lemon Juice

When life gives you lemons, you dye your beard with them! Lemon juice will work only on lighter nuances, tho. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice, mix it with water, and soak your beard in it. Leave it to dry naturally, and then rinse.

Turmeric

Make a thick paste using turmeric powder and lemon juice. Apply it on your beard using a cotton ball or your hands like a true macho. Leave the paste to work for 15 minutes, then rinse. 

Tomatoes

The fresh tomato paste will do nicely, but you can even use the store-bought one. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice inside. Tomato and lemon combo will feed your skin and facial hair with vitamin C and make your beard subtly lighter. Rinse after 15 minutes.

Apple Cider Vinegar

One of the most subtle methods. One part of good natural apple cider vinegar, six parts of water, and you have your homemade bleach. Apply on your beard, and rinse after 20 minutes.

Chamomile

Make a strong cup of chamomile tea. Hint: double the chamomile amount. This potent brew will lighten up every beard, but not instantly. You will need to repeat the process for darker beards.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon will not just brighten up your beard but also put the red and blond nuances in the spotlight. Make a thick 1:1 paste from cinnamon powder and water. Apply it on your beard and leave it be for 3-4 hours. Don’t forget to rinse it after.

Honey

Honey will lighten up your beard for a nuance or two. Mix natural honey with warm water. Apply the mix on your beard, and leave it for a few hours, or even overnight, to do its magic. Rinse, rinse and rinse because honey will stick to your beard.

FAQ

Is putting hydrogen peroxide on your face bad?

The skin on your face is easily irritated with hydrogen peroxide. But as long as you use protective measures, no harm can be done.

Does it hurt to bleach my beard with hydrogen peroxide?

It might, if you have sensitive skin, or you didn’t take any precautions. In that case, you might feel a slight tingling or burning sensation. Other than that, you are good to go.

How long does it take for hydrogen peroxide to lighten black hair?

It usually takes an hour, but that’s not written in stone. Darker beards will take some repeated bleaching.

Is bleaching your hair with hydrogen peroxide a chemical change?

It is a chemical change that results in physical change. Bleach chemically alters your hair pigment, and the result is shown physically.

Will hydrogen peroxide turn my beard white?

Yes, with a few treatments your beard can turn white.

How to regain natural beard color after bleaching?

You can either shave and wait for your natural beard color to grow back or use the world’s best beard dye. Bleaching is an effective process.