The desire to grow a beard was one I held close to my heart throughout adolescence. Discovering that I had sprouted chin whiskers was akin to discovering superpowers.
Alas, genetics is not as forthcoming with all men. If you’re trying desperately to grow yourself a beard and the results are a little lackluster, we’ve got you sorted - well, mostly. But before we begin, put down the razor. The myth that shaving rewards with thicker facial hair has been debunked.
There are a couple of key takeaways you’ll need to adhere to and patience, as always, will be your best friend here - for many, a beard will not appear overnight.
WHY CAN'T I GROW A BEARD?
First things first, let’s take a look at the ins and outs of beard growth. How it happens, why it happens and, most importantly, why it might not be happening for you. The ‘how’ and ‘why’ essentially boil down to an intricately-laced combination of genes that bloom in a select, hairy, few. In some men, facial hair doesn't start growing in earnest until you hit 30, or maybe even 40. It could just be a waiting game for the momentarily beardless.
HORMONES PLAY A PART
A beard’s growth is dependent on your testosterone levels. Male pattern baldness is the side effect of a growing sensitivity to DHT, a hormone produced in response to the natural testosterone coursing through your body. For reasons that are not well understood, DHT is essential for most hair growth, but is detrimental to head hair growth. That’s why you see some guys rocking the bald head and beard combo. So, the silver lining here is that the less growth you have on your chin means the less likely you are to go bald. Small solace, but that’s not why you’re here. MISTR doesn’t recommend you raise your natural testosterone in unnatural ways doing so will not do you any favours in the long run. While genetics and natural hormone levels play a big part, there are some other ways to coax the hair out.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO GROW A HEALTHY BEARD
A BEARD OIL: You’ll want to invest in a beard oil. One with quality ingredients will nourish the hair and help it to look thicker, healthier and more luscious. Keeping your beard topped-up daily will aid in the continued growth of hair.
EAT, SLEEP, WORKOUT, REPEAT: Your lifestyle plays a big part in the growth of facial hair too. Your diet, your sleep patterns and your proclivity for hitting the gym all play a part. If you’re at an imbalance here, you may want to consider making some shifts for the sake of your beard, and of course your overall wellbeing. Seven hours of sleep and a balanced diet can go a long way.
VITAMINS ARE YOUR FRIEND: Those looking to take their beard cultivation efforts to another level should look to supplement their diet with four essential vitamins. A biotin supplement can contribute to the growth of facial hair; folic acid can stimulate and repair molecules associated with hair growth; pantothenic acid can be used to naturally increase testosterone levels; and niacin can help with blood circulation to the face, which is essential for hair growth. While biotin and niacin can be purchased at any chemist, folic acid is found naturally in leafy green vegetables, and pantothenic acid occurs naturally in mushrooms, chicken and beef, as well as oily fish like sardines.
MAGIC BEARD GROWING SERUM?
As a last resort, there are brands out there with kits to help give your beard the push it may need. Our pick is Copenhagen Grooming, whose kit includes a tool that has been used by dermatologists with proven efficacy. The Beard Roller is a repurposed version of the Derma Roller. It’s used to penetrate the top layer of skin, giving way to a generation of new hair follicles and stimulating your body's natural healing process, which for your face, means more collagen production. Paired with Copenhagen Grooming’s activating serum containing all natural ingredients, a little dermal rolling could pave the way for your new bearded era. Keep in mind, this is not a cure-all and may not be effective for you. The full set will set you back $125 AUD if you’re game.
TL;DR
Suffice to say, there is no magic pill you can take to grow a beard. Genetics and hormones play a role, as do environmental factors and lifestyle choices. However, you no longer have to feel stuck with the cards you were dealt. Actioning these simple steps listed above could see you on your way to becoming the gloriously bearded man you were always destined to be. Be patient, be diligent and above all, enjoy the little successes. A couple of new hairs may seem small, but it’s a sure sign you’re on the right path.
