Beards are a great way to spice up any look and add a hint of masculinity. But, growing a perfect beard isn’t easy. It takes patience, dedication and know-how. If you’ve ever asked yourself “why is my beard taking so long to grow?” you’ll find the answer in this guide.
First off, genetics can play an important role in growing a full beard. Having a good genetic disposition means that your beard may grow faster or fuller than others. It also means that people with thicker, coarse facial hair might be able to grow a stronger and more consistent beard than those with thinner and finer facial hair. Whatever genetics you have, however, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s beard grows at a different rate.
Secondly, diet and exercise also play an important role in the speed of a man’s beard growth. Eating a balanced diet rich in protein and other essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A and B-Complex will help ensure your body has the necessary nutrients to fuel your beard’s growth. Additionally, exercising regularly can boost testosterone levels, which further helps stimulate hair follicle growth and give your beard a better chance to grow faster.
Thirdly, it’s important to take care of your beard. Proper washing, conditioning and brushing are important steps in bringing out the best in your beard. Start by washing your beard with gentle beard and hair shampoo, making sure to massage the soapy water deeply into the roots of your beard, then rinse away with lukewarm water. Afterwards, you should use a good conditioner, which will help to soften your beard. Finally, use a brush or comb to evenly distribute the hairs and add texture to the length of your beard.
Lastly, using specific oils and balms can really help speed up your beard’s growth. Natural oils such as jojoba, almond and argan are known to have properties which can promote faster beard growth. Such oils help keep the skin and hair follicles nourished and healthy, and can also help reduce inflammation. Many of these oils also contain natural antioxidants which help protect against free radical damage, thereby helping the beard to grow faster.
With the right lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating, regular exercise and proper beard care, it’s possible to increase the speed of your beard growth. Although genetics do play an important role in the rate of facial hair growth, it’s important to remember that everyone’s beard grows at different rates. However, with a little bit of patience and some know-how, anyone can have the perfect beard.
Genes and Genetics
Genes play an important role in hair growth, including the speed of beard growth. Differing levels of hormones, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, will determine a man’s facial hair growth rate. Also, some men may have a genetic disposition that increases their likelihood of growing a thicker and fuller beard faster than others. Finally, genetic disorders, such as alopecia, can also affect how fast a man’s beard grows.
We all have different gene structures, and the function of these aspects of our genetic makeup can directly influence the rate of beard growth. Genes also determine the type of hair, its texture and color, which can affect the speed of growth. This is why some people can grow a full thick beard in several months while some may take several years.
If someone’s ancestors had a tendency to grow thick and full beards earlier in life, then that person may be lucky enough to inherit the same tendency. Other than that, there is not much that one can do to change the genetic makeup or the rate of beard growth.
Hormones and Facial Hair
Facial hair growth is mostly attributed to hormones, and different levels of hormones will determine a man’s facial hair growth rate. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are key hormones in beard growth. Testosterone is the principal male sex hormone and dihydrotestosterone is created from the conversion of testosterone. With increased levels of both hormones, beard and facial hair will grow more readily.
Testosterone supplementation can provide the hormones needed for a more accelerated facial hair growth. However, it is worth noting that introduction of too much testosterone can have adverse effects on health and wellbeing, therefore consistency is key to get the desired results.
Estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, also plays a role in beard growth. The presence of higher levels of estrogen than testosterone can hamper beard growth, leading to a thinner and patchier beard.
Sleep and Recovery Time
Sleep and rest can be instrumental in the speed of a man’s beard growth. During sleep, the body repairs itself and recovers, thus allowing the hair follicles to create thick, healthy and strong beard hair. Generally, the more rest a person gets, the better chance of having good facial hair growth.
The goal should be to get 7-8 hours of sleep, as this should be enough for the body to rest and repair itself.It is recommended that a regular sleep cycle be practised, so that the body gets used to going through the same sleep cycle every night. This is important for keeping energy levels consistent, ensuring hormones are regulated and increasing the chances of returning facial hair growth.
Stress andBeard Growth
High levels of stress can also have a negative effect on facial hair growth. Stress is known to limit the rate at which the body can produce hormones, leading to an impaired rate of facial hair and potential hair loss. That is why it is important to keep stress levels at a minimum and have ways to destress.
The first step is to identify the stress triggers and eliminate them.Often strenuous work, long hours and distractions can cause stress. Identifying and eliminating these triggers can make a huge difference to your overall stress level.
In addition to that, involving yourself in productive actions, such as exercising, reading books and doing yoga, can help manage and reduce stress. All of these activities help you relax and provide your body with a break from everyday stress.
Medication
Certain medications such as anti-anxiety medication and antihistamines can have a negative effect on beard growth. The drugs can cause the body to create an imbalance of hormones, leading to decreases in growth rate. Additionally, taking antibiotics for extended periods of time can also decrease the growth of facial hair.
It is recommended that people consulting their doctors and seek help if they have any underlying conditions that may be impeding on their beard growth rate. Additionally, they should communicate with their doctor if they think that a medication they are taking is hindering the facial hair growth rate.
Shaving
Beard shaving can be a counterproductive activity at times. Shaving a beard can actually have the adverse effect of making the beard take a longer time to grow back. This is due to the fact that shaving cuts each individual hair shaft at the root, thus making the hair follicles weaker and less likely to grow back in full.
A better practice for beard growth stimulation is trimming. Trimming a beard should be done sparingly and infrequently, and only when the hair length requires it. Trimming allows the beard to retain length while also allowing the beard to fill in any patches. This is due to the fact that trimming only cuts off the split ends, leaving the roots intact.
Additionally, trimming allows for a more organised and symmetrical look, which can make the beard appear thicker. It is best to use scissors for trimming, and to only use trimmers for large patches or spots where there is no facial hair.
Conclusion
Having a good looking beard requires ample patience and the correct knowledge. Everyone’s beard grows at a different rate and is affected by both genetic and lifestyle factors. Knowing these factors is important, as it can give an individual insight into why his beard takes so long to grow. Making small lifestyle changes such as eating well, taking care of your beard, sleeping more and reducing stress can help keep the facial hair in good condition and help stimulate faster beard growth.
