How to Grow a Beard
April 25th, 2008
OK boys. Face it, women sometimes like a manly beard. But do you have what it takes? It requires patience, persistence, (and just enough testosterone) to pull it off.
- The first step in growing a beard is deciding to grow one. This is no trifling matter. Growing a beard takes at least 4 weeks including enduring an uncomfortable itchy period and having to answer ridiculous questions like: “Are you trying to grow a beard?” from your friends and colleagues.
- Don’t shave. Despite the popularly held belief, shaving will not make your beard grow faster or thicker.
- Pick a time when you can get a running start like at the beginning of a vacation or even a long weekend.
- Resist the urge to trim or shape the beard. Let it grow as much as possible before shaving, even if you are going for the “goatee” look. The hairs on your face will be in various stages of growth; not all are actively growing at the same time, so you have to be patient to see where it will fill in and where it won’t.
- What if your beard is spotty? Unlike your scalp, the hair on your face will not cover every inch. Some men will have hair from their eyeballs to their neck. If you’re this guy, then feel free to shave areas to shape it. Most men will have some areas that are spotty or thin, like on their cheeks and chin. This is determined by genetic and hormonal factors. There is little you can do about it, so work with what you’ve got.
- What about applying Rogaine (minoxidil) to your face? Minoxidil is a drug that was used to lower blood pressure until it was found it also grows hair. In topical form, it causes hair growth on the scalp of men and women with hereditary hair loss. Why it works is not really known. In theory, Rogaine could help you grow a beard, but this is never been shown in studies, nor is it FDA approved for facial hair. Applying Rogaine (minoxidil) to your face would likely be irritating and can also cause acne. If ingested or if applied in excessive amounts, it could cause serious side effects like a drop in your blood pressure.
- Biotin is a dietary supplement known to help with hair and nail growth. Consider taking 2.5 mg of biotin each day.
- You might find that growing a beard gives you an itchy, red, scaly rash on your face. Try using a little dandruff shampoo like Head and Shoulders on your beard two or three times each week. You can also apply a mild over the counter steroid cream like hydrocortisone 1% once a day.
- When your beard starts growing, the hairs are often stiff at first; they will soften over time. Consider using a mild steroid like hydrocortisone 1% everyday to help with the itching.
- After 4 to 6 weeks you should have a good idea what your beard will look like. If after 6 weeks you find people saying: “Oh, are you trying to grow a beard?” consider the clean-shaven look.
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i cant grow my facial hairs i m 26 but no beard an mushtace
plz suggest me some medicine, which is easily available
Dear beard growers, i have a straight neck beard. it only grows on my neck. Im not talking below my chin, im talkin about my NECK where my adams apple is and down
hi,
is there any medicine that can be used for having a full beard. I have almost a full beard, but I can’t grow hair on my chin and mouth area. I am 26 and don’t know what else to do to have a full beard without any patches. So, I would really appreciate your help, if there is a medicine, please let me know.
Thank you very much.
hey! i cant grow my beard faster either.My cheeks have patches and from my chin to my throat every time grows in the same place. I’m open to any suggestions medicine that may help out my situtation.
im 15yo, want to grow beard, any advice, should i follow this guide?
Im 25. my brothers r 20 and 16 they both have parcial beards!!! where is mine???? Also I have 2 kids and sometimes I feel like a child with kids cause of NO beard. How many times do I have 2 hear “ID” or “you look like ur 12″ Is there no cure??????????????????????
P.S. I thought I was the only one with this problem.
hi im 28 and would love a beard iv been trying to grow it but after a week or so i just sahve it because it looks stupit and patchy and tips on whay i should do because im sick of looking like a 15 year old.
hi,
I’m seventeen and have a full beard, why is it that i can grow one, but my older brothers can’t do so well, what is the hereditary difference .. if there is such a large one?
Guys, some can grow a beard, some can’t. Don’t go taking medicines to try and get it to grow. As the article says, just work with what you’ve got. If you’ve got nothing go with the clean shaved look. I can just about do a goatee (at a push) and I’m 24. Some mates of mine have been able to grow full on farmer beards since they were 15. We’re all different. Whatever you do though guys, don’t do the tennage “bum-fluff” on lip and chin look. It make you look like a total moron.
@akz
Wait a couple of years. Untill you are at least 20. If you can’t grow a beard at that age you can consider starting to experiment.
My hairs way way too thin to be able to grow a goatee. the only area on my face thick enough is my side burns lol.
Drink a lot of water and eat healthy sometimes. It will help grow a more full beard.
I am a 16 year old boy i dont even grow facial hair suggest some ways and medicine which have no side effects:?
Ive been putting minoxidil on my face for about two months now, before I could only grow a little hair on my mustache and chin, now it’s coming in all over, thin, but it’s coming in, I’ve read that if you apply it twice a day for 6 months you’ll have a full beard, I believe it to be true, I’ve already gained a lot in the first two months, I’m 19 and I didn’t develop acne and It really hasnot irritated my skin at all, just leaves it a little dry, I think It’d be the best option for you.@wjt
I’m 16, but after about 3 weeks i can get a full beard that looks pretty damn good lol. Its all genetics people, you either have it or your dont. Dont worry about it