Does Shaving Make Your Beard Fuller?
A common misconception is that shaving your beard will make it thicker and fuller – but this couldn’t be further from the truth. While shaving can cause your beard to look fuller in the short-term, the reality is that you’re only making your stubble—the short, bristly hairs that come right after a shave—look denser. In reality, shaving your beard doesn’t actually promote growth or make it any thicker.
Though, shaving can have an effect on the growth of your beard. When you shave against the grain of your facial hair – as you should when shaving to get a close, smooth shave – it causes the hairs to be cut at an angle, which can lead to ingrown hairs. These can be painful, cause inflammation and even lead to more serious infections. Also, repeated irritation of the follicles that shaving can cause can potentially damage them, and make it difficult for the hairs to grow normally.
Though, even if you’re not making your beard any thicker, that doesn’t mean you should avoid shaving altogether. Trimming and styling your beard can be beneficial because it can create a neater and more polished look – while also preventing split-ends, which can make your beard look sparse and unhealthy. If you do decide to shave your beard, the best way to go about it is to exfoliate first, to make sure the hairs are softened, then to shave in the direction of the hair’s growth.
Experts have said that avoiding shaving is the best way to get a thicker beard, because it allows the maximum amount of growth time to occur. It also helps to use products specifically designed to aid beard growth and improve its texture. These sort of products can contain ingredients like saw palmetto, which has been proven to help increase hair thickness, and antioxidants, which can make hair healthier by reducing inflammation in the skin.
Though, even when using beard-growth products, getting your desired results is a slow process. Patience is key when it comes to growing your beard, as the slightest changes can take weeks or even months to appear. Diet and rest can also help with beard-growth, as they play an important role in healthy hair development.
Planning a Regimen
When trying to increase the thickness and fullness of your beard, it’s important to plan out a grooming regimen for yourself ahead of time. This should include frequently using different styling products as needed, such as balms, oils and waxes. Beard styling products are formulated to protect the follicles from damage, as well as make styling and taming the hair much easier.
It’s also important to remember not to get discouraged. If you’re not seeing results right away, it’s still important to keep at it and not give up. Results won’t occur overnight, and sometimes can take months to finally be noticeable. Being patient is an integral part of the growth process, and watching your beard grow will be well worth the wait.
Beard Supplements
Another good method to increase the thickness of your beard is to take a dietary supplement containing natural ingredients such as biotin and vitamins B6, B12 and C. Supplements help your beard by providing the body with the nutrients it needs to grow hair. Also, some of these ingredients blunt the effect of DHT, a hormone that shrinks the hair follicles, which can cause patchiness in the beard.
Though, it’s important to remember that supplements work best when taken in tandem with an overall healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet and getting adequate rest are both important for healthy beard growth. Supplements alone are not a solution to a thin or patchy beard, and must be taken in conjunction with a healthy diet to truly see results.
Genetics
This may be the elephant in the room, but genetics play a large role in how thick and full one’s beard turns out to be. Everyone’s follicles are different, and some may only be so full no matter how well-maintained they are. It’s also important to figure out a product that works best for your follicles, as every follicle responds differently to various product combinations.
Though, hair follicles aren’t entirely predetermined and can be improved with the use of products, lifestyle and even hormones. Figuring out a regimen and sticking to it is integral part of improving the appearance and fullness of your beard; genetics won’t stop you from seeing the results you’re after, so don’t let them stop you.
Alternatives to Shaving
If shaving your beard isn’t working or doesn’t yield the desired results, there are some alternatives that can help you get the fuller and healthier beard you’re looking for. For example, some experts suggest using minoxidil; a medication that can help promote new hair growth, in addition to using a natural DHT inhibitor cream.
Platelet Rich Plasma therapy (PRP) is another route, which is a treatment used to induce hair growth by using your own platelets. This is done by separating and concentrating the plasma from your own blood and carefully injecting the plasma into the areas you’d like to target. This process helps stimulate the follicles and new hair growth, making it an effective alternative to shaving.
Exercise
One way to improve the fullness of your beard is to exercise. Exercise has long been known to help boost testosterone production and decrease stress, which can increase the rate at which your beard grows. This is because testosterone helps to promote the growth of new hair follicles and reduce damage to existing ones.
It’s also important to make sure you’re getting enough exercise, as too much exercise can lead to increased levels of cortisol, which has actually been linked to a decrease in testosterone and lower rates of beard growth. Finding a balance between exercise and rest is key for optimal beard growth.
Conclusion
Though it’s often thought that shaving your beard will make it fuller, this isn’t true. Instead, creating a comprehensive beard-care regimen and avoiding the urge to shave is the best way to get your desired results. Eating a balanced diet that’s rich in vitamins and minerals, using natural DHT inhibitor creams, taking supplements and getting enough exercise are all great ways to promote fuller and healthier beard growth.
