In January, BuzzFeed ran a story on dyed beards, which included Mr. King’s photo. “That’s when everybody lost their minds,” Mr. King said. “I was just doing it for fun. I can’t imagine going out with a colored beard unless it was for a drag night, or something really niche.”

Other men are more committed. Mara Kadish, a colorist at Warren Tricomi salon, has had several male clients request beard colors in jewel tones (like amethyst) and pastels (which she thinks is inspired by the pastel hair colors on women on the red carpet). And it’s not only rebellious 20-somethings.

“I’m seeing all ages, but mostly guys who work in creative industries,” she said. “In the past, men were more hush-hush about the way they look — it was about looking like they hadn’t gotten their hair or beard dyed,” she elaborated. “They’re feeling bolder now.”

Her rate for a double process beard job starts at $200, but the steep price isn’t even the toughest part to stomach, she said. “If the man has dark hair, that means we have to bleach out the hair first. Beard hair is also coarser than hair on top of your head, so you may have to leave the bleach on longer than usual — maybe an hour. That bleach is sitting right under your nose.”

The D.J. and electronic musician Andy Butler, who dyed his beard neon pink a few months back, thought the bleaching “was so intense and unnatural,” he said. “I can’t imagine keeping up the look for a long time.” Besides, his look, which was captured by the French street style photographer François-Xavier Watine of Web Style Story, only lasted a month before it grew out.

But Mr. Butler thought it was the right timing. He had been inspired by John Waters films and the actor David Lochary’s Technicolor hair hues in particular. “That moment was very specifically in line with the queer revolt,” he said. “Yes, a beard is masculine, but what if it’s pink? Is it still masculine then?”