Throughout history, full, thick beards have been considered a clear sign of power and masculinity. It comes as no surprise that a lot of men want to know how to grow a full beard.
Although there were periods when beards weren’t that popular, it’s safe to say that this trend is back these days. In order to take part in it, an increasing number of men are growing their beards in many different sizes and shapes, and they make it look so easy.
But how do they do it? The most logical answer would be to simply put down your razor and wait, right? Well, not really. Although this is the first and the most obvious step, there’s actually a lot more to growing a full beard than just letting your body do all the work on its own.
To help you understand everything it takes to have a strong beard, I decided to write this guide that will offer the information you need to grow and maintain your beard properly.
Know Your Beard
Before I show you the steps you need to take in order to grow a beard, I need to explain the factors you need to take into account when it comes to this process. Here’s what you need to know:
Genetics Plays an Important Role
Although hair growth isn’t purely hereditary, genetics is an important factor. If the ability to grow a full beard is seen in the generations before you, there’s a big chance you will be able to do it as well.
This is because the follicles’ genes react differently to androgen, a steroid hormone that affects hair growth. Some genes may support beard growth, while others may prevent it.
This doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to grow a beard if your father or grandfather doesn’t have one. Keep in mind that this doesn’t have to be the determining factor and that there are ways you can improve your body’s ability to grow facial hair.
Testosterone Influences Growth
Testosterone production is very important for the development of various characteristics, including beard growth.
In order to grow a thick beard, it’s important that you have a sufficient testosterone level. Testosterone attaches itself to the androgen receptors, and in doing so it regulates your hair growth.
Beard Growth Takes Time
A lot of men get discouraged when they realize that they don’t have a lot of facial hair in their early 20’s. There is no reason for that.
Some men need more time to grow a beard than others, and the difference can be pretty big. There are men that don’t have a full beard until the age of 30, or even 40 since this is usually the period when hair growth reaches its peak.
There are a lot of things you can do to speed up this process, but you need to be persistent and continue to grow your beard, no matter how long it takes. Once you grow it, it will be there for good, so it’s definitely worth it.
Patchy Beard Isn’t a Problem
Another popular misconception that a lot of men have is that their beard doesn’t grow at all in some spots. If you’re worried about this, don’t be, because this is completely normal.
If you notice that your beard is thicker in some places than others, this is because these spots have less androgen receptivity. This means that beard doesn’t grow at the same speed everywhere.
Instead, let it grow freely. These patches will fill out eventually, and you’ll have the full beard you want.
First Steps
So you have decided to grow a full beard. Now what?
First of all, keep in mind that growing a beard is a marathon, not a race. It will take time and effort, but it will pay off once you’ve achieved the look you’re going for. Here are the first things you should do:
Plan Ahead
Before you start investing your time, energy, and money into growing a beard, you should decide what beard style you’re going for. Do you see yourself having a short, trimmed beard, or are you going for that rugged Viking look?
The answer to this question will determine the amount of time and effort needed to achieve the desired results. You can always experiment with different looks and find out which one works the best.
It’s very important that you’re prepared for this, and to go through all these stages until you reach your goal.
Don’t Shave for a Couple of Weeks
As I’ve said in the beginning, the first step to growing a beard is forgetting about your razor for some time. Since there is no exact timeline to follow, the amount of time will vary, but you should notice a short beard forming within a couple of weeks.
Initially, your beard will look scruffy, and this will probably bother you. It’s important to not try to smooth it by shaving, as this prevents your beard from growing fully.
Instead, adopt a couple of healthy habits and develop a face routine. Here’s an example of what you should do:
This routine will help prevent skin irritations, which are common in this phase of growth. It can also speed the process up a bit.
Growth Phase
After you go through the stubble phase, you will start noticing that your beard is getting thicker. This will give you some extra motivation to keep going, but you will also notice that it’s growing very slowly.
As you’ve already seen at the beginning of this guide, there is a couple of factors that determine the speed at which your beard grows. Some of those factors are out of your reach, like genetics, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to speed it up a bit.
Here are some tips for helping your beard grow faster:
Hit the Gym
We’ve already established a connection between testosterone level and beard growth. There are a couple of ways to increase your testosterone levels, with regular exercise being one of the most effective ones.
Cardio workouts, such as cycling and running, are a great way to not only increase your testosterone levels but also stay in shape and improve your overall health.
If you’ve never done it before, start small and add different workouts as you go. It might also be a good idea to consult a fitness expert to find the right routine for you.
Minimize Stress
I know that in this day and age this can often be a tough task, but it’s very important for you and your beard. You’ve probably met or heard of people that lost their hair or whose hair turned gray due to stress.
While this may not be the case with you, stress can slow down hair growth a lot. This is why it’s important to eliminate stress as much as possible, so your beard can grow freely.
Maintain a Good Diet
Like every other part of your body, your facial hair needs healthy food. Eating well can give your skin and hair follicles the nutrients they need in order for your beard to grow properly.
Whether supplements work or not is debatable. Some swear by them, while others claim that it does absolutely nothing.
The truth is, it depends. Supplements can sometimes be a good idea, especially if you’re deficient in certain important nutrients, like protein and vitamins.
If you follow these tips, not only will your beard grow faster, but you will also improve the overall quality of your everyday life, so they’re definitely worth considering.
Time for Trimming?
At some point during the growth phase, you’ll realize it’s time to give your beard a good trim. After all that itching and messy facial hair, you’ll be glad when you can finally do this.
The best time to start trimming your beard would be when you notice your cheeks and chin don’t have any empty patches. If you’re not sure how to do it, here are some tips:
- Use a beard comb – This will help you straighten your beard out and make trimming more precise.
- Keep your face shape in mind – You need to style your beard according to your face shape. This might require some trial and error at first, but you’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly.
- Do it regularly – Trimming your beard once every week or two is an important part of getting your beard to grow evenly.
If you keep doing this, it’s just a matter of time when you’ll have the full beard you want. But it doesn’t stop there, since every man should know how to take care of his beard properly.
Beard Maintenance
Once you’ve reached the phase when your beard looks the way you want it to, the hardest part is pretty much over. Everything that comes after is just a matter of a good routine.
Wash and Moisturize It
Washing you beard is one of the most important things you should do on a regular basis. This prevents your beard from becoming dry and damaged.
It would be a good idea to use moisturizing products, such as beard oil. This oil can help you keep your beard soft and provide your follicles with vitamins and other nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Invest in Proper Equipment
This includes products such as beard combs and brushes, scissors, and most importantly, trimmers.
Having a good beard trimmer is an essential part of taming your beard. This is sometimes not an easy process, especially if you have a long and bushy beard.
You’ll never regret getting good equipment for your beard, as it will help you keep the beard you work hard to grow healthy and well kept.
The Final Word
So there you go. Now that you know how to grow a full beard, you can start this journey with confidence. The above advice should get you closer to having the beard of your dream.
Remember to be patient and persistent, as it can be a long ride, so try to enjoy it as much as possible.
