Review (5/5): Works Great on my Beard
For years I used "Just for Men" on my beard and moustache. About 8 months ago I bought a new package. The product caused such severe irritation and chemical burns that I nearly ended up in the Emergency room. In the stores in my area, I found nothing but "Just for Men" for sale, so I turned to Amazon and ordered [[ASIN:B0013ZGQNG RefectoCil Cream Hair Dye (NATURAL BROWN) .5oz]].
See my review of that product. I experienced the same severe reaction. I did some internet research and discovered that this is a major problem. It appears that the U.S. Government has banned the metal based dyes that had been used, forcing the manufacurors to change their formulas. The culprit is Phenylenediamine, or PPD. Nearly all current mens hair care products now use it. All across the Country, men are ending up in Drs. offices or emergency rooms, sometimes permanently scarred. Class Action Lawsuits are pending.
There is a sizable minority of men who are sensitive to PPD, so be very careful to do a skin test with any hair care dye product, EVEN IF YOU HAVE USED THE PRODUCT BEFORE, since they are changeing the formulas. The directions on most products say that a skin test should show any problems within 24 hrs. With the RefectoCil cream I did not have a reaction for over 40 hrs, but it was so severe I almost ended up in the Hospital.
Now on to the current product. It is not as convenient to use as the pre PPD "Just for Men", but it works, and I have had no reactions to it. I am 54, with a full head of hair, and only a slight dusting of gray at my temples. My beard, however, is about 3/4 gray. I normally wear a moustache and goat-T, trimmed short. The product comes as a green powder that looks and smells like herbal tea. I use a rounded teaspoon mixed with a little water to make a paste about the consistency of yogurt. I use a plastic tea spoon to measure, mix, and apply it.
The first time I applied the product, I felt a slight burning sensation. Not enough to be a problem. Since I did not feel this after the first couple of uses, in view of my experiences, it may of been in my head. The directions say to apply the product to clean hair, just after it dries after being washed. I apply it about 15 mins. after showering, let it sit on me for about 45 mins, and then get in the shower again just to rinse it off. The mixed product is a green, herbal smelling glop. It has no smell after it is rinsed off. It does not stain the bath tub or anything in the shower. It does not stain skin, or drip or run if mixed properly. After rinsing, it does not stain clothes or bedding. It cleans up easily with water.
I wouldn't want to get it on clothes, and I have never had that happen. I imagine that it would be a lot more messy for long womens hair, but that is not an issue with my beard. It doesn't pay to be stingy with the product, because if you do not completly cover the hairs, the ends will not dye properly. Since the product is inexpensive, this shouldn't be an issue. One application will remove about 70% of the gray, and two more applications over the next two days will remove all of it. I find this to be a good thing, because it allows me to control the amount of gray removed. I don't want to remove all gray, I want to match my temples and head, looking natual.
When first applied, the gray hairs have a green tint, which fades away over the space of a few hrs. to a nice, natural, rich brown. Color couldn't be better, IMHO. For maintenence, I trim my beard and apply the product once a week. After 7 days, the gray starts to become visible. If I let it go 2 weeks, my beard is mostly gray again. After more than 6 months, I still have 1/3 of the package. I do not need to dye the hair on my head yet, but when I do, this will be my first choice.