How to Grow a Beard

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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