Growing a beard is a breathtaking, stylish way to add an edgy look to your face. But styling an unruly beard can often be a tiresome effort. This is when getting to grips with the thought of straightening your beard comes in – it can be a welcome solution for those looking for an extra lift in their beard game. But for some, there are questions over the safety and practicality of the practice. Can you actually straighten your beard hair?
Straightening your beard hair involves the same techniques as straightening your head hair. The most common techniques are chemically-based, often using a solution to relax the bonds in your hair, allowing it to be styled in a different direction. Though there are some ways to get around chemical straightening. Some men will invest in a hairdryer, straightening irons, or texturizers to help shape their facial hair.
To straighten your beard without any nasty chemicals, firstly you should make sure you wash it and apply an oil-based moisturizer. This will help prevent the hair from drying out and make it more manageable. After this is done, grab a comb and start finely combing over the hair until you can get to the roots. To straighten the hair with a comb is a matter of slowly brushing and tugging gently through the beard in downward strokes, until all the facial hair is styled in that unified direction.
Heat from some sources, such as a hairdryer, can be too hot for your beard hair, and can cause damage. Assess your beards structure- Is your beard growth course, hard, and coarse? If so, avoid the use of straightening irons and use a more gentle approach. When straightening your beard use products that contain natural ingredients instead of those with harsh chemicals. Some products are even specifically designed for beards, such as beard balms and beard oils, to help tame and condition the hair.
Straightening your beard hair can create a full, neat look that makes you look and feel great. However, it is important to keep in mind when embarking on this type of styling, that it isn’t suitable for everyone. Not all beard shapes suit straightening – if your beard is too thin or patchy, for instance, it won’t look as good.
Maintaining Your Straightened Beard
If you choose to straighten your beard, you will need to dedicate some time to regularly maintain it. A good habit to get into is using a straightening iron every few days until your beard is trained to maintain the style. To protect your beard from heat damage, apply a light oil or heat-protectant product to it before styling.
Be sure to use a heat setting that is suitable for the length and thickness of your beard. A professional hairdresser might be a good bet if you’re not familiar with the process. If you use a chemical straightening method, it might mean more trips to the hairdresser. Any chemical product used to straighten your beard should be washed out thoroughly each time.
Growing Your Beard Out After Straightening
Growing out your beard after straightening it is going to take a little bit of extra patience. It can be an awkward phase as the natural growth starts to emerge. A lot of beard owners might find the look unsightly – don’t worry! It will look less messy over time as the two textures blend together.
Beard oils and balms are a good way to condition and hydrate the hair. They can help to reduce the split ends which naturally occur while growing out a beard. It’s also a good idea to be selective with your shampoo and conditioner. Avoid sulfates and parabens, which are linked to hair loss, and opt for organic products with natural oils.
Apllying Natural Products To Your Beard
Pursuing a natural solution to straightening your beard is the way to go, where you don’t need to use chemical or heat-based products. One of the best ways to do this is to apply natural oils or balms to your beard. Natural oils like argan oil, castor oil, and jojoba oil are some of the best for beard care, since they help to soften the beard, keep it conditioned and moisturized, and make it more manageable. Applying these a few times a week can help make it easier to shape and straighten your beard in a natural way.
Some of the most popular products to use on your beard are beard balms and natural waxes. Waxes, while they can help to define the style of your beard, also maintain the shape between beard washes and grooming. Balms, on the other hand, are excellent for conditioning and moisturizing the skin underneath the beard.
If you’re looking to straighten your beard while also keeping it looking awesome, you should consider using natural products. Taking the time to build up a routine using natural oils, balms, and waxes is a great way to maintain a smooth look for your beard without the need for extreme chemical or heat-based treatments.
Beard Straightening Techniques
There are a few variations of beard straightening you can use depending on your beard length and style. For longer beards, you may find it easier to straighten the hair using a combination of products and tools. For shorter beards, a chemical straightening solution is the recommended way.
A hairdryer, straightening irons and texturizers are all good tools to have in your grooming arsenal. Depending on the length and thickness of your beard, you can also try blow-drying it straight, or using a comb to pull it in the right direction. For longer beards, it is important to use a comb to make sure all the parts are reaching the right temperature. For shorter beards, use a comb to help evenly distribute the product.
Chemical straighteners, however, work best on short beards, as they can be difficult to work with on longer hair. It is important to keep in mind that using chemical straighteners will require more maintenance, as the product will need to be carefully washed out every few days for optimal performance.
Slightly curly beards can usually be straightened without any chemicals- all you need is a little bit of patience. Use a comb to slowly edge down through the beard, making sure you evenly distribute the product, before using a straightening iron on the tips of the hair. This should help keep your beard looking neat and tidy.
Find The Right Method For You
When it comes to straightening your beard, everyone has a different approach. Depending on your beard type, you can experiment with a range of products, tools and techniques to achieve the look you are aiming for. It is worth keeping in mind that your skin type is an important factor in deciding the right method for you. If you have sensitive skin, it is best to try a natural approach to straightening your beard and gradually build up the intensity of the products over time.
However you choose to straighten your beard, make sure you take your time to do it properly and do not overuse damaging products. Your beard health and condition should be a priority and if you take the time to maintain it, you will be sure to enjoy a beautifully styled beard in no time.
