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Beards have re-revolutionized the fashion statements put forth by men across the world. In a time when most fashion magazines have men sporting a dense, well-groomed beard and when movies too are portraying their male protagonists with a to-die-for beard, it is only obvious that a young man also wants to flaunt a healthy beard as well. While for some, this is child's play, for others, it is easier said than done. Here is your comprehensive guide to growing a beard, issues you may face and solutions as well.
Tips To Care For Facial Hair Growth
1. Care For Face
Just as how healthy hair is related to a clean and nourished scalp, the key to healthy facial hair is to ensure that the skin on your face is cared for in the right way. This can be done in the following ways
Cleanse Your Skin
It is important that your skin is clean as clean skin leads to unclogged pores which in turn encourage hair growth. Thus, wash your face at least twice a day using lukewarm water and a mild cleanser that is free from harsh chemicals such as parabens and phthalates.
Exfoliate
The next step after cleansing your skin is to exfoliate it thoroughly. Use either a scrub or skin exfoliant meant for men once a week. This will make sure that all the dead skin cells are removed, and hair growth is stimulated.
Moisturize
The last step in your face care routine for a healthy beard is to moisturize your beard well. Moisture facilitates hair growth. Use a moisturizer that has natural ingredients to ensure that your beard does not get irritated by the presence of any chemicals. Eucalyptus oil is one of the famous ingredients, when used in moisturizers can help hair grow at a faster rate.
Also Read : A Beginners Guide For Beard Grooming
2. Let The Beard Grow Properly-Don't Trim
The best way to grow a beard naturally is to let it be. After roughly about a month of trying to grow out your beard, it is bound to look slightly wild and disheveled. However, do not trim or groom it. Leaving it alone will, in fact, help it grow faster. After roughly six weeks, you can start shaping and cleaning up the beard to make it look more presentable.
3. Vitamins And Supplements
Sometimes, deficiency of certain vitamins or micronutrients in your body might lead to an inhibited growth of facial hair. Maintain healthy nutrition, and in case you're suffering from a deficiency, consult a doctor for the best advice. Sometimes you may just need to make the required corrections to your diet or to include a supplement to make up for the deficiency.
4. Take Plenty Of Rest
Making sure that your body gets anywhere between a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of sleep a day is crucial. This is because damaged skin cells repair themselves during that time, ensuring that your beard grows healthy and fast.
5. Foods For Healthy Beard
Incorporate Vitamins B1, B6 and B12 in the foods that you eat. Some sources of Vitamin and mineral-rich foods are eggs, spinach, sweet potato, and cinnamon. Another category of foods that are said to accelerate the growth of facial hair is proteins. Consume chicken, pulses, and fish to get the necessary nutrients from proteins.
6. Exercise To Manage Stress
The pattern of your hair growth or hair fall is indicative of your stress levels. Thus, it is important to Manage stress under control. Make sure that you exercise for at least half an hour a day to manage stress.
Also Read : How To Reduce Stress - Simple Ways To Overcome Stress In Life
How To Deal With Beard Problems?
Apart from the obvious problem of having a slow facial hair growth rate and scarce hair growth, you can also encounter some other problem areas with your beard. Thankfully, these can be resolved with a little care. Here are few common beard problems and their solutions
1. Itchy Beard
Most people experience an itchy beard in the first month or two of trying to grow it out. However, this phase eventually stops by itself in most cases. If you are, however, still dealing with an itchy beard, then your best friend is beard oils. Beard oils condition your beard hair, making it soft and healthy. It also hydrates your skin, making it a hospitable environment for hair growth. However, make sure that any beard conditioner or oil that you are using is free of silicone. Silicone build-up on your skin will lead to silicone flaking which will give your beard a dull appearance. Thus, apply any organic or natural beard oil twice a day to eliminate an itchy beard.
2. Beard Dandruff
Beard dandruff is caused when microorganisms called Malassezia globosa feed on the natural oil, i.e. sebum that is produced by the skin. When this micro-organism feeds on the sebum, it creates oleic acid which causes an allergic reaction. This, in turn, makes your skin extremely sensitive. Sensitive skin leads to an overproduction of skin cells which eventually leads to dandruff. Dandruff should be controlled. This is, however, a common issue and can be eliminated by exfoliating the skin. You can either use a physical exfoliator such as a scalp brush or a chemical exfoliator that contains glycolic acid to get rid of all the dead skin. Be non-abrasive and gentle with your skin during exfoliation to prevent further irritation.
3. Beard Can Be Patchy
Patchy Beards are extremely common. Often, people expect to have a full, dense and well-groomed beard within a fortnight of not shaving it. However, this is close to impossible, especially if it is your first time growing out a beard. It requires at least 4 to 5 months of staying away from the razor to ensure that your beard is not patchy and uneven. Even if you do have a patch or two, the hair surrounding the patch will be long enough to cover the patch when you comb the hair over it. All it needs is time and patience and the patchy beard will no longer be an issue.
4. Split Ends
Split ends are a result of lack of moisture in the hair follicles that your beard comprises. This is because the sebum production by your skin is low. Lack of sebum means that the skin does not secrete enough natural oils needed to hydrate the hair follicles. Other common causes of split ends are hair dyes and using too much blow dryer on your beard to groom or style it. To avoid this problem, make sure that you are using a hydrating beard oil or balm to give that boost of moisture to your beard.
5. Beard Hair Fall
Beard hair fall is just as common as losing hair from your head. It is nothing to be worried about, and you do not need to shave your beard off to prevent this. Ensure that you are not using a comb or brush that is too harsh on your beard. Also, avoid using cotton pillowcases as friction might also pull at your beard. Instead, use satin sheets that are much smoother and less abrasive.
How Much Time Does It Take To Grow A Beard?
One common question that most people have when it comes to growing their beard is how to grow a beard faster and thicker naturally. Though there are certain tips and tricks that you can follow, there is no definitive time period to grow a beard. This is because every person's facial hair growth pattern is different. The speed and thickness depend entirely on the person and factors such as hormone levels, skin care, food habits, and even lifestyle.
Thus, all that you can do is to have a little patience. Whatever style of beard you opt to grow, give it at least a month or two. After about two months, styling and grooming become a lot easier. The density of the beard will also increase significantly.
Natural Remedies For Facial Hair Growth
Natural and home remedies are undoubtedly the safest and most effective methods to treat skin and hair. Thus, using a few natural remedies, you can help stimulate facial hair growth. Common effective remedies include
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is said to contain nutrients that accelerate hair growth as well as make existing hair stronger and healthier. Dip a cotton ball in warm coconut oil. Massage this onto your beard in gentle circular motion for about 5 minutes. Wait for 15 minutes to ensure that the oil soaks into the skin. Wash your face with a mild cleanser post this. Do this twice or thrice a week, for significant results.
2. Amla
Another natural ingredient that is said to do wonders concerning hair growth is Amla. Amla oil increases blood circulation to the hair follicles, thus facilitating hair growth. Massage Amla oil onto your beard. Let it rest for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with some warm water and a mild cleanser. Follow this routine twice a week for best results.
3. Lemon And Cinnamon
Mix a teaspoon of cinnamon powder with a generous amount of lemon juice. This mixture should have a paste-like consistency. Apply this paste all over your face in an even layer. Wait for about 20 minutes before you rinse it off. Doing this at least once or twice a week will stimulate the hair follicles of your beard. Since lemon is also a source of Vitamin C, the skin will get the necessary nourishment that it needs as well.
4. Potato
Potato is a great natural ingredient that helps with thinning of the hair caused due to alopecia. Potato is rich in Vitamins A, B, and C which prevents dry and brittle hair. Blend about 3 potatoes with small amounts of water. Using a strainer pour the juice in a bowl. Use this juice to massage your face for about 15 minutes. You can rinse it off with warm water and repeat the process once a week.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has antibiotic and antifungal properties for hair growth. Thus, for those suffering from beard dandruff or an itchy beard, Aloe Vera is your best bet., Aloe Vera is also said to stimulate facial hair growth, leading to a dense and well-groomed beard. Peel a fresh Aloe Vera leaf and scrape the gel from it out. Apply this gel all over the face and neck and let it rest for about 15 minutes. You can then rinse it off with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. Since Aloe Vera is extremely gentle on the skin, this can be done daily without any qualms whatsoever.
Also Read : Natural Remedies for Facial Hair Growth (Infographic)
6. Eggs
Since eggs contain a significant amount of protein and vitamins, it provides the skin with all the nourishment that it needs to stimulate hair growth. Blend 2 to 3 eggs with some olive oil. Apply this mixture on the face as a face mask. Let it rest until it dries completely. Wash clean with lukewarm water and repeat twice a week for fast results.
7. Fenugreek
Fenugreek is said to maintain hormonal balance in the body and stimulate the hair follicles. It is said to prevent hair fall that is caused due to aging as well. Blend fenugreek seeds that are soaked in water overnight into a paste. Apply this paste all over your face and wash it off once it is completely dried.
Thus, by following the above tips, you are well on your way in growing a well-groomed classy and dense beard in no time at all. All you need is some care and a lot of patience and you will see the results for yourself.
Disclaimer: All the content on anveya.com/blogs is solely for information. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health care provider. The information, suggestion or remedies mentioned on this site are provided without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied.
