# Why can't I use Grecian Formula on my beard? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 13, 2002, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108 "2002-10-13T16:55:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/22 "2012-11-19T18:23:47Z")
> [@janeslogin](#): > > Grecian formula was once rumored to contain arsenic. I cannot find a reference to arsenic but Wikipedia entry says it has been banned in Canada because of lead acetate - and that it doesn’t work well on facial hair. I thought it was banned for the really bad commercials with Maurice “Rocket” Richard… “Hi Lheave just a hlittle grey haround de hedges.” “Hey, Maurice, two minute penalty for looking so good!” ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/23 "2012-11-20T03:36:10Z")
> [@postcards](#): > > And probably have grayer beards (or not). BOY HOWDY is this depressing. Yeah. The beard runs all white now. Moustache about 75% white. I use [Touch of Gray](http://www.justformen.com/products/touchofgray/) on the beard. It says do not use it on beards. Tough darts. The regular beard coloring products made me look like a GI Joe doll. Frighteningly uniform beard color under my salt and pepper head of hair. Ech. Obvious and weird. Using the Touch of Gray, a bit of gray is removed and it looks salt and pepper like my head. Poifect. Apparently Just For Men is coming out with a new product called Hint of Pudge. Used gradually, the ginormous belly/ waist tire melts away and there’s just a Hint of Pudge. I can’t wait. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/24 "2012-11-20T03:40:34Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Apparently Just For Men is coming out with a new product called Hint of Pudge. Oh good lord, gimme some of that! Seriously, thanks for the best laugh of the week. From one white beard to another. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/25 "2012-11-20T04:32:55Z")
I use the _Just for Men_ dye on my facial hair. Works fine. I’m probably 30% grey (salt and pepper) in my facial hair. It does always feel like a race against the clock (mix, quick! apply!, rinse!) and I always bring home nitrile gloves from the lab to wear when I’m doing it but the results are good. For my head hair - that I leave up to professionals. Much easier for me, and much greater potential for catastrophe if I try to do it on my own. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/26 "2012-11-20T04:41:45Z")
Huh. Zombies wear beards. If you really want to look youthful, then shave. I’ve always thought facial hair made a man look older. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/27 "2012-11-20T04:53:49Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > If you really want to look youthful, then shave. I’ve always thought facial hair made a man look older. This is why I shave. I need all the help I can get. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/28 "2012-11-20T05:21:10Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Huh. Zombies wear beards. > > If you really want to look youthful, then shave. I’ve always thought facial hair made a man look older. Well, a beard, maybe. Wearing a [Circle Beard](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwYqbPW1LO0) makes me look like my own evil twin, and I’m fine with that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/29 "2012-11-20T05:26:11Z")
The secret to Just For Men is to not leave it in very long. Rinse after 90 seconds or so and it kills the grey without looking “dyed.” ---
**Author:** ![this\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b77776/32.png) [@this\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/this_guy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/30 "2015-11-29T17:17:38Z")
> [@yabob](#): > > I’ve noticed many over the counter beard dying products. You shouldn’t have trouble finding one. > > Now, if may hijack a bit: > > How does one dye their eyebrows? > > My hair only has a bit of gray in it currently, but my EYEBROWS have decided to get noticeable white hairs in them, which looks dumb. There are severe warnings on all hair, beard, moustache dying products not to dye your eyebrows because if you get the stuff in your eyes, horrid things happen. I tend to believe it. > > Any suggestions? You can dye your eyebrows and facial hair with any regular hair dye as long as it’s thick enough in consistency that it won’t drip down into your eyes. Most dyes should be fine…I’ve been doing it for years and never once did i ever get any in my eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/31 "2015-11-29T21:34:13Z")
I just tell everyone, “I dye my beard platinum…” ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/32 "2015-11-29T21:46:07Z")
> [@this\_guy](#): > > You can dye your eyebrows and facial hair with any regular hair dye as long as it’s thick enough in consistency that it won’t drip down into your eyes. Most dyes should be fine…I’ve been doing it for years and never once did i ever get any in my eyes. I use Grecian formula for my eyebrows mixed with a potato paste for best results. I use Just for Men, light brown-blonde, beard on my head hair as well as beard. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/33 "2015-11-29T23:45:01Z")
What happens if a female sort of person uses any of those “just for male sort of persons” products? Do your boobs fall off? Or get hairy? Anybody (well, any female body) ever tried it? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/34 "2015-11-30T01:54:18Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > …I have absolutely no grey in the hair on my head… I wonder if this has changed for the OP, 13 years later. mmm ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/35 "2015-11-30T01:58:59Z")
Can’t speak for the women, but when I had long, 1970s style hair, I always bought women’s shampoo, conditioner, and hairspray. It cost much less than the men’s versions. I never had any adverse reactions. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/36 "2015-11-30T14:10:04Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > OK, I apologize for the highjack, but I tried two bottles of Grecian and it never changed my hair. Two full bottles. No one noticed a difference, including people who only seem a few times a year. Has anyone else experienced this? Anyone have a conjecture as to why this might have happened. Well, that is their slogan, right? Nobody will notice? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/37 "2015-11-30T16:11:18Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I wonder if this has changed for the OP, 13 years later. > mmm Just a slight wisp of grey where my sideburns begin, otherwise none on my head. And I have a full head of hair @ 55 unlike my brother who is 5 years younger and Mr. Shiny Forehead. My beard is a different story. Full grey in my entire beard but not much in my mustache. This makes for an odd look, let me tell you. My brother has that problem, too. He tried dying his beard with the closest color he could get, but it didn’t match his head/mustache color and he looked weird as hell. Ended up shaving the beard off and starting over. ---
**Author:** ![johnleeward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@johnleeward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnleeward)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/38 "2016-10-17T14:15:48Z")
The active ingredient of Grecian Formula is Lead Acetate. Before it was offered to the public, tests were done to measure absorption of lead into the blood. I assume they were measuring absorption through the scalp. I doubt the manufacture even wants to consider potential liability issue of people accidentally orally ingesting lead acetate from applying the Formula to beards and mustaches. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/39 "2016-10-17T16:13:17Z")
Oh my God, a triple zombie! How often does this happen?! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/40 "2016-10-17T16:15:31Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > Oh my God, a triple zombie! How often does this happen?! If y’all would quit covering up the grey on this thread, maybe new posters might notice how old it is. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![manila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108/41 "2016-10-17T20:44:00Z")
The OP is prolly bald now (D&R) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-use-grecian-formula-on-my-beard/132108.md?page=3)