Sure, you’re a seasoned man, but can you grow a decent beard? Practically every man has stared at his reflection in the mirror and wondered what it would be like to grow a beard. Some men are successful at growing facial hair and will never be seen with a clean-shaven face again, while others are underwhelmed by their attempt.
Growing a beard ain’t as easy as ya think!
A man can grow a beard, but he needs a plan. He must also keep in mind that not all beards are created equal. According to grooming experts, it takes approximately 30 days to grow a beard and around two to four months to sport a full one.
Hair grows at different rates, so if you notice patchiness on one side of your face, don’t panic. Beards are also at their itchiest during the first two weeks of growth. Many men during this period throw their hands up to the Lord and hightail it back to their clean-shaven look because they can’t take the constant itching. Typically, after the two-week period, the itchy beards tend to calm down, and the men who tolerated it forge on toward full beardhood.
But wait, what about the grooming products! Beards cannot survive on just trimming alone!
Beards should always look neat, clean, and stylish. Follow these few tips on how to properly groom a beard to keep it sexy:
- Regularly wash and moisturize your beard at least twice a week. If you, however, spend a lot of time working outside or play sports, you might need to wash your beard every day. Use a mild beard wash to gently clean your face and man fur without completely stripping your beard’s natural oils like Soft Sheen’s Magic 3-in-1 Beard Wash ($7.99) made with cocoa butter and cedarwood oil. A beard can collect dust particles, germs, pollution, and when it’s unwashed, it becomes a breeding ground for all that is disgusting!
- Beards of African American men tend to feel coarser than beards of men from most other ethnicities, so beard combs and brushes work best to keep the hair in line. Don’t forget to snip those strays that hang over the lip. Nature Boy ($34-$40) has a popular line of beard brushes and handcrafted combs that are sure to calm unruly hairs.
- Always trim your beard when it’s dry since this is how it’s going to look when you wear it out in the world. The Wahl’s Slate Stainless Steel Lithium-Ion Trimmer is an all-in-one grooming kit that will help you achieve even beard trimming lengths by simply attaching any of the 12 guide combs to the t-blade head ($75). Don’t forget to clean your lower neck (you don’t want a neckbeard!), buzz from your Adam’s apple to two inches below your jaw. Studies show that the average beard will grow to 3-feet long if left untrimmed, have mercy!
- A Black man’s beard needs more moisture because it is usually dry and brittle. Use oil after washing your beard, but wait until it’s almost dry. Oils that have argan and jojoba work well to soften beards. Duke Cannon’s Best Damn Beard Oil ($30) is formulated to soften even the hardest working beards and is rich in vitamin E, carotenes, and antioxidants; these oils are considered beneficial against psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
- Avoid plucking out ingrown beard hairs. Pulling out ingrown hair irritates the skin and only leaves permanent scars.
- Eat right to encourage the growth of a healthy beard. Food is the best source of the vitamins you need for hair growth. However, if you fail to get enough in your diet, supplements like A, B, C, D, or E may help. According to research, supplements ONLY work best in individuals who are already deficient, so work with a doctor to determine if you have a deficiency or not.
Finally, keep this in mind, the best beard for you is the one you can grow and that you love having. Your beard is not indicative of your masculinity.