Nicotine Stain in Moustaches

Smoking man
Photo: Shutterstock
Q: Hi, I have a question I hope you can answer for me. What can be used to remove nicotine stain in moustaches? I am a man by the way, Ha!
 
A: LOL... Well, if you weren’t a man, I would say the nicotine stains were only a part of your worries. However, this is a fairly common issue for smokers, and there are a number of ways to combat the nicotine build-up.
 
The nicotine stains are surface stains primarily and can usually be removed with a build-up removing shampoo or cleaning process. Here are some of the easiest things to do. Choose the one you like best or feel is most appropriate for you.
 
You don’t specify your hair color, but a lot of smokers with gray hair notice nicotine staining most readily. If you are in fact, gray, my first recommendation is that you look for an anti-yellowing shampoo. I don’t usually endorse products or brands on here, but I’ve used this particular product with clients to combat a number of specific gray-dulling issues. This product is Clairol’s Shimmer Lights. The product acts as a clarifying shampoo to remove build-up and has an additive that brightens gray hair to a beautiful shining white.
 
You’ll want to wear gloves when using it, because it will stain the fingernails. Simply apply a small amount of the shampoo and massage it into the mustache. (You can use an old, clean toothbrush for better control if desired.) Let it sit for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly with warm water. You should see good results from the first application. Repeat if desired. Then, use daily until the stain is all gone. There is also a formula of Shimmer Lights for blonde hair that works if your hair is blonde and not gray.
 
Another technique is old-fashioned baking soda and peroxide (the first aid formula – not hair color developer). Use an old toothbrush, dip it into the peroxide and dab it into the baking soda and brush into the mustache. Continue dipping, dabbing and brushing to allow the baking soda/peroxide mixture to coat the hairs and let the brushing action buff the cuticles of the hair. Leave it on for about five to ten minutes and rinse completely. It may take multiple uses, but you will see a removal of the build-up.
 
If you don’t have gray hair and your hair color isn’t blonde, simply look for a good clarifying shampoo. These shampoos are developed to remove all kinds of build-up from the hair and should remove the nicotine staining with repeated use.
 
Finally, you can use a smoker’s toothpaste to help clear away the nicotine build-up. Some people prefer this method, since getting the other products in the mouth results in really vile tastes. Since the smoker’s toothpaste is designed to remove stains, it will work on the hair of your mustache.
 
©hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
Gray hair Q&A
 
Is smoking bad for your hair?
 
How to take yellow out of hair
 
How can I get the yellow caused by cigarette smoke out of my platinum blonde hair?