Buzz
If you're eager to grow a full, impressive beard, it might be hard to accept that patience is essential. Genetics play the most significant (and unchangeable) role in determining how fast your beard grows. However, there are a few methods you can try to encourage slightly faster growth. Take care of your beard as it grows, adopt a lifestyle that supports beard development, and consult a doctor if you need assistance; above all, be patient!
Steps
Care for Your Face and Beard
Be patient while waiting for your beard to grow. Genetics are the primary factor in determining how fast (and thick) your beard will grow, and there's little you can do to change this. While some methods might support the process, it's important to accept that your beard will grow at its own pace and in its own way.
- Some people believe that trimming your beard can stimulate faster growth, but there's no evidence to support this claim.
- Shaving before your beard starts growing might stimulate hair follicles to grow faster, but the evidence for this effect is very limited.
- So, once your beard starts growing, just let it grow naturally!
Wash your face twice daily to unclog hair follicles. Wet your face with warm water. If your beard hasn't started growing, gently massage your face with a mild cleanser. If your beard has begun to grow, you can also use a gentle beard shampoo. Rinse off the cleanser and/or shampoo with cool water, then pat dry with a soft towel. Do this every morning and evening.
- Regular cleansing removes dirt and oil from hair follicles, making it easier for your beard to grow.
- To test if a cleanser is gentle on your skin, apply a small amount to your chin and wait 10 minutes. If there's no reaction (like redness or irritation), it's safe to use.
Massage your face twice daily to stimulate hair follicles. Use your fingertips to apply firm (but not painful) pressure, moving in small circular motions over the beard-growing area. Massage for about 10 minutes, twice a day.
- Regular facial massages can stimulate hair follicles and promote faster beard growth. Plus, it feels great!
Exfoliate your face once a week. Wash your face as usual with a mild cleanser or shampoo, but rinse with warm water and leave your skin damp. Gently massage an exfoliating product over your face (including your beard), then rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat dry.
- Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that can block hair follicles from reaching their full potential.
- Before applying the exfoliant to your entire face, test it on a small area of your chin for 5-10 minutes. If there's no burning or irritation, it's safe to use.
Moisturize your growing beard with beard oil or softener. While you should be cautious about products claiming to stimulate beard growth, beard oils and softeners can be beneficial. Keeping your beard soft and hydrated may encourage slightly faster growth.
- Avoid beard oil if you have acne, as it can worsen breakouts.
- If possible, choose a beard product containing eucalyptus oil. Some evidence suggests eucalyptus oil can stimulate beard growth.
- At the very least, beard care products enhance the appearance and feel of your beard, regardless of its growth rate.
Try DIY beard growth stimulants. Like most home remedies, evidence for their effectiveness is limited, but they're generally harmless. You can try one or both of the following:
- Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of fresh lemon juice with 1 tablespoon (15 g) of cinnamon powder to form a paste. Apply a thin layer to your beard, leave it on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse and cleanse as usual. Use this mixture 1-2 times daily, and stop if you notice any irritation.
- Combine 3 tablespoons (45 g) of dried mustard leaves with 60 ml of amla oil to create a smooth paste. Apply a thin layer to your beard, leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse and cleanse as usual. Store any leftover mixture in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Choose a Diet and Lifestyle That Supports Beard Growth
Increase your intake of foods rich in vitamins B3, B5, B7, and B9. Many B vitamins promote healthy hair growth, so boosting your B vitamin intake may help your beard grow slightly faster and thicker. Biotin (vitamin B7) appears to be particularly beneficial, so consider consulting your doctor about taking a biotin supplement.
- Nuts are an excellent source of biotin (vitamin B7).
- Vitamins B3 and B5 are commonly found in chicken, beef, fish, dairy, and avocados.
- You can get vitamin B9 from whole grains, nuts, and leafy greens.
Boost your intake of vitamins A, C, and E. Like B vitamins, these vitamins support healthy beard growth in various ways. They are also essential for your overall health.
- Eat carrots, broccoli, and leafy greens for vitamin A.
- Choose green peppers, tomatoes, and citrus fruits for vitamin C.
- Get vitamin E from beans, nuts, and leafy greens.
Follow a balanced diet to promote healthy beard growth. While focusing on essential vitamins is important, you should also adopt a healthy diet rich in a variety of nutrients. Think of it this way: what’s good for your body is good for your beard!
- Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (like avocados and olive oil).
- Cut back on processed foods, overly salty and sugary snacks, and harmful fats (like saturated and trans fats found in processed foods).
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to support your beard follicles.
Follow health guidelines for exercise and sleep. Just like maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical activity and adequate sleep benefit your overall health and support beard growth. Aim to follow these recommendations:
- Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week. Moderate intensity means your heart rate increases, and you’re breathing hard enough that talking is difficult.
- Incorporate strength training 2-3 times per week for 30-60 minutes per session.
- Sleep for about 8 uninterrupted hours each night.
Reduce stress to support beard growth. You’ve probably heard that excessive stress can cause hair loss. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that stress can also slow down beard growth. This means the less you worry about your beard, the faster it may grow!
- Find stress-relief methods that work best for you. Try yoga, meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, walking, listening to calming music, chatting with friends, or reading a good book.
- Work with a doctor or mental health professional if you struggle to manage stress effectively.
Quit smoking for your overall health (including your beard). While there’s no direct evidence that smoking specifically harms beard growth, tobacco is clearly detrimental to health in many ways, and it’s reasonable to assume it could hinder beard development. Whether you’re growing a beard or not, quitting smoking as soon as possible is highly recommended.
- There are many smoking cessation aids available today. Consult your doctor to find the method (or combination of methods) that works best for you.
- Some evidence suggests smoking may cause premature graying of facial hair.
Consider medical options
Consult your doctor about your testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels. Testosterone can be divided into two types, often referred to as T and DHT. DHT levels affect beard density, while T influences beard thickness. Managing T and DHT levels under medical supervision may support beard growth.
- Do not use oral medications, creams, injections, or other products to boost testosterone without consulting your doctor. These products can have unwanted side effects and may ultimately hinder beard growth.
- Your doctor may recommend regular strength training as a natural way to increase testosterone levels.
Talk to your doctor about using minoxidil (Rogaine) on your face. Rogaine, the most popular brand of minoxidil, is widely used to slow male pattern baldness. When applied correctly to the face, it may stimulate beard growth. However, even though Rogaine is available over-the-counter in many places, always consult your doctor before applying it to your face.
- This may be a suitable option for treating patchy beard growth rather than promoting overall faster growth.
- Newly grown beard hair may fall out if you stop treatment.
Consult a medical professional about microneedling to stimulate beard growth. This method involves using a rolling device on your face, similar to a lint roller – but instead of adhesive sheets, it has hundreds of tiny needles. Advocates believe these micro-punctures stimulate hair follicles and promote beard growth.
- Some dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons use microneedling to address issues like acne. Speak with a trusted medical professional before deciding to try this method or purchasing a device.
- When done correctly, the procedure is safe and relatively painless. However, it’s crucial to properly sanitize the device before each use, following the product’s instructions (usually soaking in alcohol).
Consider beard transplantation as a last resort. If you have areas where beard growth is impossible, transplantation might be your only option. Similar to hair transplants for the scalp, individual hair follicles are moved from one area (like the back of the neck) to another (like the cheeks).
- Beard transplantation is an expensive and time-consuming process. It can take up to 2 years to see full results, and success isn’t guaranteed.
- While it can fill in patchy areas, it won’t make your beard grow faster overall.
Tips
- Stay consistent and patient. While you can encourage faster beard growth, genetics play a significant role in how quickly your beard grows. Look at the facial hair of your relatives; it’s a good indicator of what to expect.
