Beard Tips for Beginners: Your Guide to Growing and Maintaining a Beard

 

Growing a beard sounds easy, right? Put down the razor and time will work its magic. True, but growing a beard you actually want to be seen in requires patience, maintenance, and persistence. So let’s pump your (soon-to-be) bearded brain full of knowledge so you can enjoy sporting a beard you’re proud of.

Beginner Beard Mistake: Commitment Is Key

Growing a beard is actually quite a pain (in the face). As your facial hair starts to grow through expect a world of itching and discomfort. Never been stabbed in the face by your own hair before? Yeah, you’ll have to get used to that.

Hint: Beard oil will help you push through this stage, more on that below.

Remember, you’re committed to this process, you want a lush beard. Shaving at the first sign of itchiness and irritation isn't gonna get you what you want. Step away from the razor!

Beginner Beard Mistake: Giving Up Too Soon

It’s normal to look at your beard after a few weeks and judge it harshly. Why is my beard so thin? Why is it patchy? It looks gross! I can’t grow a beard. All beard newbs go through this process, so go easy on yourself. Don’t make a call on your ability to grow a beard until you’ve given it a solid couple of months. 

How Long Does It Take to Grow a Beard? The journey to a full beard varies significantly, depending on genetics, health, and age. On average, facial hair grows about half an inch per month, which means:

most men can expect to grow a reasonable amount of facial hair within two to six months.

According to a study published in the Journal of Dermatology, the average beard growth rate is influenced by many factors, but patience remains a universal requirement (Dermatology Journal, 2018).

Beginners Beard Tip: 

 

Give your beard at least a month or two of uninterrupted growth before making any major decisions about styling or shaving it off. This period is essential to see how your beard fills in and what areas may need more attention.

Start Using Beard Oil 

Beard oil isn’t just for beards. It’s for men who want beards. At the first sign of stubble start applying beard oil morning and night. This will keep your skin nourished and healthy as it goes through the rigors of growing a new beard. I recommend grabbing a bottle of quality beard oil as soon as you make the decision to stop shaving. Apply a couple of drops to your face morning and night.

Grab Yourself A Beard Brush

Along with beard oil, grab yourself a beard brush. As your facial hair starts to grow out use the beard brush daily. Use a gentle motion, and brush downwards (eg from your nose towards your chin), being sure to stimulate the skin lightly. Daily beard brushing will:

• Stimulate blood flow to the face
• Direct the hairs to sit in an ideal position, so they stab you less
• Exfoliate the skin, reducing flaking and itchiness

 

What To Expect When Growing A Beard

When you decide to grow a beard, here’s a basic timeline and what to expect at each stage:

1. The Stubble Stage (Weeks 1-2): Initially, you'll notice a stubble look. This stage is often accompanied by itchiness as sharp hair follicles poke the skin.
2. Patchy Stage (Weeks 3-8): As hair grows thicker, some areas may look fuller than others. Patience is key here as different parts of your beard grow at different rates.
3. The Full Beard Phase (Weeks 8-12): By this time, most of the patches will begin to fill in. Continuous grooming and care are crucial to maintain a healthy look.
4. Mature Beard (12 Weeks and Beyond): After about three months, your beard is considered mature. Now you can focus on styling and grooming. Consider using beard balm now to aid styling and check out these tips for a short beard.

 

The Science Of Beard Growth

Beard growth is primarily governed by genetics and hormones, particularly testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). According to research in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, these hormones affect the follicle's ability to produce hair (J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2016).

Factors The Influence Beard Growth

Several factors can influence how long your beard will take to grow, and how thick and full it will look:

• Genetics: Your genes determine the density, colour, and growth pattern of your beard.
• Age: Beard thickness typically increases with age until late adulthood.
• Health and Nutrition: Overall health, including proper nutrition, impacts hair growth. Vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins D, B complex, and zinc, play significant roles in hair production (Clinics in Dermatology, 2017).
• Lifestyle: Exercise and stress management improve blood circulation, which can enhance nutrient delivery to your hair follicles.

 

Beard Hair Growth Cycle

The beard hair growth cycle consists of three phases:

1. Anagen (Growth Phase): This phase lasts anywhere from a few months to several years and determines the length of your beard.
2. Catagen (Transition Phase): During this short phase, the hair follicle shrinks slightly.
3. Telogen (Resting Phase): The old hair rests while the new hair begins the growth cycle.

 

Ways To Improve Beard Growth

There's nothing you can do that will force your body to grow a great beard. What you are in control of, however, is your lifestyle. Choosing a healthy lifestyle benefits your health as a whole. A healthy body has the best chance of growing a healthy beard. Consider implementing the following lifestyle changes:

1. Maintain Good Skin Health: Clean and exfoliate your face to remove dead skin cells and promote hair growth. Keep up with brushing daily and cleansing with a beard specific shampoo 2-3 times per week.
2. Proper Nutrition: Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports hair growth. Both on your head and your face.
3. Regular Exercise: Increasing blood flow through regular exercise can help nutrients reach the hair follicles more efficiently.
4. Manage Stress: High stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to shedding and slower growth.
5. Adequate Sleep: Growth hormones released during sleep play a vital role in tissue growth and repair, including hair growth.

 

Common Challenges of Growing a Beard

1. Itchiness

One of the most common complaints among new beard growers is itchiness, which typically occurs in the early stages of growth. This discomfort is primarily due to two factors: 

1. The ends of your shaven hair can be sharp and irritate your skin.
2. Dryness, as the beard grows through it draws oils away from the skin.

Solution: Regular use of beard oil can soothe the skin and provide necessary moisture. The oils we use have been have been selected to reduce inflammation and hydrate the skin and hair.

2. Beard Dandruff

Beard dandruff or "beardruff" is another frequent issue that arises from the flaking of the skin beneath your beard. Dry skin under your beard can get itchy, leading to dandruff.

Solution: Ensure that you are washing your beard with a gentle beard-specific shampoo and follow up with a conditioner. Hydrating the skin underneath is vital, so incorporate a routine of applying beard oils or balms that nourish both the beard and the skin. When I said earlier that beard oil is important, I meant it!

3. Looking Messy and Ungroomed

As your beard grows, maintaining a tidy appearance becomes more challenging. Without regular grooming, a growing beard can quickly look unkempt. This is inevitable, and you’re best to look past this and just keep growing for 1-2 months. Once your beard is filling in nicely you can start trimming it to maintain a more groomed look.

Trimming also has the benefit of removing split ends, which is beneficial to your beard in the long run.

Solution: Invest in a good quality trimmer with various length settings to help maintain the shape and eliminate stray hairs. Learn basic trimming techniques to keep your beard even and styled to your liking. Additionally, combing your beard daily helps train the hairs to grow in a uniform direction, reducing the unkempt appearance and evenly distributing oils.

Pro Tip: Don’t grow a beard a month before a job interview or your wedding. It’s going to look messy for a while, so plan to grow a beard at an appropriate time.

 

Patience and Consistency: The Key to a Great Beard

Remember, growing a beard is a commitment. The process requires patience, especially through the uncomfortable early stages. Consistency in your grooming routine will not only help alleviate common beard-related issues but will also promote healthier growth.

As you embark on your beard-growing journey, keep in mind that every man’s beard is as unique as his fingerprint. What works for one person might not work for another. Experiment with different products and routines until you find what best suits your skin and beard type.

By embracing both the challenges and rewards, you are well on your way to rocking a beard that adds character, style, and a touch of maturity to your overall look. Welcome to the brotherhood of bearded men!