Men's hair colouring: A beginner's guide to how to dye your hair

Reading time: 5 mins

A young man with dark hair looking into a mirror, holding a Philips hair clipper in his hand.

Can men dye hair? Of course! And loads of men are doing it. If you’re interested in trying out a completely new colour or just touching up the grey patches, read on for our guide to all things hair dyeing, from allergy spot tests, to how to dye your own hair and how to dye a beard at home.

How to dye your hair: Considerations before you start

Before we get into the details of how to dye hair, you’ll want to decide what kind of dye you’ll be using. The colour is up to you, but for a more natural look, it’s a good idea to stay within a couple of shades of your usual hair colour.

The next question you’ll want to consider is whether you want a temporary or permanent dye. Have a read of these important considerations before you put anything near your hair:

The shortest-lived temporary hair colouring products are designed to come out the next time you shampoo your hair, making them the perfect choice if you want to turn your hair a wild colour for a party. You’ll sometimes see these advertised as ‘wash-out’ hair dyes.
The next step up is semi-permanent dyes. These will wash out, but not straight away. Instead, they'll fade throughout your next few washes. These are a good choice if you want to test out a new look before you commit.
To avoid heading into the office with bright blue hair on a Monday morning, make sure you’re certain that what you’re buying is what you want. It might sound obvious, but these are the types of mistakes that are just bound to happen!
Permanent dye, on the other hand, is going to be with you for a while, but not forever. Your hair is going to continue to grow in its natural colour, and the dye may fade a little over time, so you’ll need to refresh it occasionally. Although it’s not forever, if you want to know how to dye your hair and enjoy the new colour for as long as possible, permanent dye is the way to go.
As a final pre-dyeing note, it makes sense to settle on your current hairstyle before dyeing, rather than the other way around. If you decide straight after your dyeing session that you’re craving a buzz cut, you’re going to end up using more dye than you needed.

How to dye hair safely

Any hair dye you buy is likely to come with a leaflet. This isn’t just there to take up space in the box. Take a look at the leaflet and, if there are any safety instructions, take them seriously. A lot of hair dyes contain paraphenylenediamine, or PPD, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people. The risk is higher if you’ve ever had a black henna tattoo.¹

If you’re using permanent or semi-permanent hair dye, the NHS recommends doing a patch test, even if you’ve used the brand before. If the dye you’ve purchased has come with a leaflet or information sheet, this might contain specific instructions for how to carry out an allergy test. It’ll usually involve applying a small amount of dye to your skin, either behind your ear or on the inside of your elbow, and leaving it for a day or two. If it burns or develops into a rash, you shouldn’t use that dye.

How to dye your own hair, for men

The key for how to dye your own hair, for men or for women, is to follow the instructions that came with your dye. Different types and brands of dye might have specific requirements to help you get the best results and remain safe. Different dyes need to be left in your hair for different lengths of time, for example.

Thrown your instructions away with the box? The manufacturers may publish the instructions for specific dyes on their websites, so it’s worth a look.

Now that you’ve got the instructions to hand, here’s our guidance on how to dye men’s hair.

If you want to dye your hair and not your hands, wear rubber gloves.
Most dyes will have two parts that need to be mixed before they’ll colour your hair effectively: the dye and the developer. Check the product instructions to learn the ratio these parts need to be mixed in.
Different hairs can take dyes differently. You can get a preview of what the colour will look like in your hair by cutting a small lock of hair from an inconspicuous area. Just apply the dye to it according to the instructions, wait for the recommended length of time, wash it clean and let it dry.
If you’re happy with how that looks, it’s time to apply it evenly throughout your hair using the applicator that comes with the product. If you don't have an applicator, an old comb will work just as well.
Leave the dye in for as long as the instructions call for. Remember: anything your hair touches at this point is going to get dye on it.
Wash away the dye, dry it off and admire your new look.

If you’re happy with the way it’s turned out and want to keep the colour from fading for as long as possible, there are a few things you can do: take warm showers rather than hot ones, avoid spending too long in direct sunlight, and use hair products designed specifically for dyed hair.

See more below ↓

How to dye your beard

You’ve learnt how to dye your own hair, but the hair on your head is just the beginning! If you don’t know how to dye your beard as well, your hair and beard could end up being completely different colours. It's a look that can work, but it might not be the look you’re going for, so let’s talk about how to dye a beard at home.

When learning how to dye a beard, the first thing to understand is that beard hairs aren’t the same as the hair on your head. Generally, beard hairs are generally thicker and coarser than the hairs that grow on your scalp.² As such, regular hair dye might not give the best results when used on your beard. A dye specifically designed for beards might be the way to go.

On the whole, though, the method for how to dye a beard is a lot like dyeing your hair. Mix the dye according to the instructions, apply it evenly, leave it, and then wash it off. To get your beard looking even better, give it a touch-up with a flexible shaver and trimmer like the OneBlade Pro.

The other option: Professional hair dyeing

Can men dye hair on their own? Absolutely, but sometimes it’s easier to seek someone else’s help. If you’re still uncertain about how to dye men’s hair, consider visiting a professional. Dyeing your own hair is cheaper and more convenient, but if you want to make sure you end up with an even final result, your best bet might be a salon or your barber.

You’re first foray into at-home hair dying was a huge success and now you’re wondering what else you can do at home. Why not check out our dedicated guide all about how to cut your own hair?

Sources

¹ Hair dye reactions, NHS

² Why do so many non-ginger men have ginger beards?, BBC Science Focus