The Great Silver Fox Twin Mystery: Same DNA… Different Shade of White

Cutline: Identical Twin Roy, left, has his beard freshly trimmed every 2- 3 weeks, while Troy’s beard has grown longer and more rugged, with his mustache extending over his lips. Same twins. Same DNA. Note: Troy’s beard was trimmed this week vs longer look below.

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Photo Cutline: Two years ago, after visiting our Dutch barber friend Jaap Leyte in the Netherlands, Troy and I looked like true mirror-image Silver Fox Twins with matching beard lengths and neatly trimmed mustaches

Written by Silver Fox Twin Roy Williams in Birmingham, Ala.

By Roy Lee Williams

One of the questions I hear most often is surprisingly simple.

“Roy…why is your beard so much whiter than your identical twin brother Troy’s?”

That’s a fair question.

After all…

We have the same birthday.

The same parents.

The same DNA.

So why does it look like my beard reached retirement before Troy’s?

I’ve developed a few theories.

None have been peer-reviewed.

All have been approved by the Silver Fox Twins.

Theory No. 1: Southern Cooking Aged My Beard

Troy has spent the past 30 years living in Europe.

I’ve spent mine enjoying Southern cooking prepared by my wife, Patrice.

Fried chicken.

Collard greens.

Macaroni and cheese.

Sweet tea.

Banana pudding.

Maybe my beard looked at my dinner plate and thought…

“We’re turning white tonight.”

Theory No. 2: Public Relations Is Hazardous to Beard Color

Troy has worked overseas past 30 years in Air Force and as civilian military employee.

I’ve work in public relations past 15 years plus 25 in journalism.

One surprise media call.

One emergency press release.

One last-minute event.

One crisis communication plan.

That’s got to be worth at least three new white whiskers.

Theory No. 3: Fathers of Daughters Gray Faster

Troy has an amazing son, Thomas.

Patrice and I have an amazing daughter, Dr. Naja Williams, & son, Royce.

Now don’t misunderstand me.

Our daughter has made us proud every step of the way.

But every father of a daughter knows…

The first date…

The first time she drives alone…

The first apartment…

The first job…

Every milestone adds another silver hair.

Coincidence?

I don’t think so.

Theory No. 4: Love Sometimes Shows Up as White Hair

Our mother has been battling Alzheimer’s for several years.

Because I live nearby in Alabama, I’m able to visit her regularly and help oversee many of her needs at the nursing home.

Troy wishes he could do that more often, but living in Europe makes it much harder.

I wouldn’t trade those visits for anything.

But walking alongside someone you love through Alzheimer’s changes you.

Maybe not just your heart…

Maybe your beard, too.

Theory No. 5: Same Twins…Different Barbers

One thing you might notice in our photos is that Troy and I don’t always look like identical twins.

Two years ago, after a visit to our Dutch barber friend Jaap Leyte, our beards were nearly identical. Matching lengths. Matching mustaches. You almost needed a name tag to tell us apart.

Fast forward to today…

My beard is neatly shaped, and my mustache stays above my lips.

Troy’s beard is longer, fuller, and more rugged, with a mustache that has grown over his upper lip.

The reason?

It’s not genetics.

It’s geography.

Living in Birmingham, Alabama, I have easy access to Black-owned barbershops, barbers experienced with African American beard textures, and a wide variety of grooming products designed specifically for Black men. I usually have my beard professionally trimmed every two to three weeks.

Troy doesn’t have those same options in Europe.

While there are excellent barbers there, finding one familiar with African American beard textures—or products made specifically for them—is much more difficult. As a result, Troy usually gets his beard trimmed every six to eight weeks.

Same DNA.

Different continents.

Different barbers.

Different beard routines.

The Real Answer

Scientists say identical twins can age differently because of stress, environment, nutrition, lifestyle, and daily experiences.

That probably explains why my beard appears a little whiter.

But personally…

I still think Southern cooking deserves some of the blame.

Final Thoughts

Whether my beard is a little whiter than Troy’s really doesn’t matter.

Every silver hair tells a story.

Some came from raising a family.

Some came from serving our communities.

Some came from loving our parents.

And many came from sharing nearly 62 years of laughter with my identical twin brother.

If my beard is a little whiter…

Maybe I’ve simply collected a few more stories.

Coming Next Week…

This beard mystery raised an even bigger question.

Why is it so much easier for me to maintain an African American beard in Alabama than it is for Troy living in Europe?

Next week, the Silver Fox Williams Twins begin a new series:

USA vs. Europe: The Great Beard Care Challenge

We’ll compare barbers, grooming products, beard styles, trimming routines, and the unique challenges Black men with silver beards face on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

Trust us…

You may never look at a silver beard the same way again.

Stay tuned—the beard adventure is just getting started.

The Silver Fox Twins

Two continents. One bond. One silver beard at a time… learning that growing older may just be life’s greatest blessing