Shaving every day can seem like a tedious chore, and many men struggle to keep up with it. But is there an upside to this regular and monotonous task? Does shaving every day speed up beard growth?
Most of the time, a man’s beard growth is largely determined by genetics. That is, those who have a greater tendency to grow thicker and longer beards will continue to find themselves doing so, regardless of shaving habits. However, many men do in fact swear by the commonly-held belief that shaving during regular intervals helps to promote faster and thicker beard growth.
According to some experts, this belief lies in the fact that shaving exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin cells, allowing new and healthier skin cells to surface. Healthy skin has been seen to promote hair growth, among other physiological processes. In addition, the act of shaving encourages blood flow to the face, promoting the nourishment and growth of the hair follicles.
Jon Singleton, a self-proclaimed “beard whisperer” and master barber, explained that “shaving daily doesn’t give your facial hair longer time to grow. We’re often told it will, because the hair only grows a certain amount every month, however, shaving daily can make your facial hair look thicker when it grows back. The tips of your hair on your face every day are constantly being fractured, so when the new hair grows, it has a thicker or fuller look.” He continued, “The act of shaving itself doesn’t really affect the way the beard will grow, its just an optical illusion. It’s like trimming a bush- you may cut it bak a certain way and it may look fuller, but you haven’t really changed the bush’s growth pattern.”
A study done by Craig Roberts, a specialist lecturer in psychology at the University of Liverpool, found that “men reported an increase in sex appeal when they shave, but did not report any other psychological benefits.” This finding suggests that men may feel more confident in their sex appeal when they shave regularly, although it doesn’t necessarily encourage faster beard growth. Roberts continued, “Shaving does not affect the rate at which facial hair grows, only the manner in which it appears.”
At the end of the day, the answer to the question of whether or not shaving can speed up beard growth is inconclusive. While some men may find that shaving every day helps to promote faster beard growth and a healthier looking beard, other men may not find much of a difference at all.
Beard Hygiene
Although shaving may not promote faster growth, it is still important to maintain your beard hygiene. Regular trimming and washing can help to shape your beard and prevent dirt and grime from accumulating in the facial hairs. If you choose not to shave regularly, consider opting for regular trimming and washing sessions instead.
Be sure to use the right shaving tools to avoid any irritation or cuts to the skin of the face. Quality safety razors can help to provide a close shave with less irritation, while a sharp and fresh razor blade is necessary to ensure that you get an even cut. In addition, some men choose to add a pre-shave oil to the face prior to shaving. Pre-shave oils are great for moisturizing and nourishing the skin, as well as lubricating the facial hairs to provide a closer shave.
Shaving Techniques
It is also important to use the right shaving techniques to ensure that you are not doing more harm to your skin than good. When shaving, start with a light touch and slowly and steadily move the razor in the direction of the hair growth. To avoid any cuts, never pull the razor away or across the skin. After a few passes, wash the razor in hot, running water to remove any accumulated hair and to prevent bacteria build-up.
If you need to shave a particular area multiple times, consider using an aftershave oil to minimize any razor burn. An aftershave oil helps moisturize the area that was recently shaved and soothes any irritation. If you experience any irritation after shaving, avoid washing that area too much or applying any products for a few days to let the area heal.
Natural Beard Oils
In addition to trimming, washing, and shaving, many men have started incorporating natural beard oils into their daily grooming routines. Natural beard oils not only help to keep the facial hairs hydrated, but they can also help to nourish and promote hair growth.
Beard oils are a mixture of different natural oils, such as jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil, that come together to provide nourishment for the facial hairs. This mixture of oils helps to improve the texture, volume, and suppleness of the hairs, preventing them from looking dry and dull. Many beard oils also contain various essential oils that are not only great for hydrating and strengthening the facial hairs, but also help to maintain a pleasant-smelling aroma.
Diet and Exercise
Finally, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine for overall skin and hair health. Eating foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables, and participating in regular exercise can help to promote better skin health to encourage thicker and faster beard growth.
Consuming Omega 3 fatty acids and proteins, such as fish, can also help to promote healthy body and beard growth. In addition, it is important to stay hydrated to ensure that the skin and body are getting enough nutrients to promote the growth of healthy facial hairs.
External Factors
The growth of the beard can also be affected by external factors, such as the environment and seasonal changes. In most cases, the dryer and colder weather can have an adverse effect on the growth of the facial hairs, causing them to appear duller and rougher than usual.
This is why it can be important to constantly assess the health of your facial hair and adjust your shaving and grooming routine accordingly. If you find that the colder weather is causing your facial hairs to become dry and brittle, consider adding a more nourishing product to your routine, such as a beard oil, to help promote healthier facial hair growth.
Alternative Solutions
If you don’t want to shave daily or use beard oil or idea that regular shaving will encourage faster beard growth, there are some alternative solutions. For example, using a blow dryer on low heat can help to encourage faster beard growth as it stimulates healthy blood circulation. In addition, make sure to regularly use a facial moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
It is also important to remember that some men may naturally grow faster and thicker beards than others and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to beard growth. Listen to your body and adjust your grooming habits to what works best for you.
