Ladies, today’s post is just for the guys. Unless you are going to try to help your man grow a beard, you are probably more inclined to read this article about women’s pre-workout supplements.
Men, if you are looking to grow a beard, you might be wondering if it’s going to change your appearance for the better and make you look more masculine – or if it’s going to be an exercise in frustration. With more men sporting beards today, you will want to know how to grow a great-looking beard.
How to Properly Grow a Beard
1. Know Yourself
Everybody’s facial hair is different. Some guys naturally grow thick, luxuriously bushy beards seemingly overnight while others struggle to deal with patchy areas. The reality is that not all men will be able to grow a big beard because not all men have coarse and curly facial hair. But for those who don’t (whose hair is finer, softer and straighter) it’s okay to keep the style short and trim – a neat, modern look – while still getting the look of facial hair.
2. Understand Beard Shaping
Shaping and styling a newly emerging beard doesn’t have to be difficult. The simplest strategy is to keep the beard uniform. This means starting under the neck and shaving upward to get a uniform length. The only place you have to do a bit more trimming is at the sideburn area. Any mishaps can be fixed (or they’ll grow out quickly). Keeping your beard trimmed while it grows will ensure the look you want, instead of dealing with a scruffy, patchy mess. Once the beard is a little longer (depending on personal preference) you can get more creative with shaping. Get advice from a barber if you’re not sure how to shape your beard for your face shape and hair type.
3. Learn Beard Maintenance
Once you’ve decided on a beard shape, you need to take care of the beard to keep it looking its best. You may need to invest in an electric razor or adjustable clippers for trimming, beard oil to keep the beard soft and shiny.
If you have a mustache, you’ll want to keep it trimmed short while your beard grows out (the two should match as closely as possible in length and texture). Depending on how fast your beard grows, the new beard should match the mustache within a week or two.
4. Patience, Grasshopper…
Once you’ve figured out what works best for you in terms of frequency of trimming/shaping, stick with it! Routine trimming is good for the hair, so don’t neglect it while it’s growing out.
Most of all, you’re going to need patience. On average, the growth rate for facial hair is about ½ inch per month. This means you’re in it for the long haul if you want a big beard. The growth phase of hair is called “anagen” – this stage can last from two months up to six years depending on your genetics and to some degree your age. This phase determines how long your beard will be – and if you want to stick it out for six years, you can be sure your beard will be as long then as it will ever be (up to 3 feet long, ZZ Top style). You know your beard has reached its max length when you notice beard hairs falling out even when you’re not pulling at or brushing your beard.
5. Self-Care to Speed up Beard Growth
To speed up beard growth:
- Use a facial moisturizer to keep from feeling itchy
- Get regular high-intensity exercise to stimulate testosterone production
- Eat well, ensuring you get plenty of protein as well as the macro- and micro-nutrients found in vegetables (you can tell a state of a man’s inner health by the state of his hair!)
- Get enough sleep (and manage stress)
About Shaun Hudson
Shaun Hudson loves sports, being outdoors, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After many unsuccessful attempts to lose weight, he finally was able to drop 25 pounds and keep it off. The secret? He kept a journal of his activity, diet, and daily life. That journal changed his life, and has since evolved into this website. Read his full bio.