A GUIDE TO GROWING A THICKER BEARD

Yes, beards are in and it seems like every man wants a nice, healthy full thick beard. Patches and thin spots can look lack luster and take away some of the hipness of having a beard.

While there’s no guaranteed solution, there are things you can do to try and get a thicker, healthier beard. 

What Makes a Great Beard

Beards come in all shapes, sizes and colors. It seems like in recent years it has become a fashion staple for some men. No matter what type you want, there are a few factors to bear in mind on growing a beard.  

Hair Follicle Size

You may have noticed that beard hair is thicker than the hair on your scalp. The reason for this is that beard follicles measure roughly 0.1mm in diameter. This is double of what you’ll find on your scalp. 

Beard Density

It’s not just a matter of the size of your follicles, but the number of follicles you have. Most beards have between 20 and 80 follicles per square centimeter. Ideally, you’ll be on the high end of that scale when you want to grow your beard.

Beard Length

Beard growth comes in stages the longer you go without shaving, the longer your beard will become. It can take two to three months of non-stop growth to see the kind of results you want. 

Beard Hair Color

Hair color plays a part in all this. Darker hair tends to come with thicker strands. However, blondes usually have greater density. Keep in mind also, as we age the first place we tend to grey is in the facial hairs and can make you look more distinguished or can "age" you. But don't fret, there are plenty of beard coloring product out in the market to diminish that issue.

Tips for Growing a Thicker Beard

Beard thickness and patchiness tend to be a matter of genetics. But there are things you can do to enhance your beard hair growth so that you look and feel your best. 

Be Patient & Let it Grow

First things first, thick beards do not happen overnight. You need to give your facial hair time to grow. Avoid shaving for a while and give yourself two to three months to see where you’re at. Keep in mind not all hair grow at the same rate so a little grooming may be needed to keep it looking sharp while it is growing.

Have a Skincare Routine

A thick, healthy beard is ultimately a matter of having healthy skin. You want a healthy men's skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and follicles clean and pristine. The men's skincare routine should entail a face wash, a face scrub, and an antioxidant face moisturizer or face balm to keep the skin moisturized and healthy

Don’t Shave Your Beard

Shaving doesn’t make your beard hair come in thicker. Avoid shaving for a while and let the facial hairs fill in.  As you grow your beard, a little grooming will be needed to trim them all the same length and to shape it so it looks presentable. 

Eat a Protein Rich Diet

Diet plays a critical role in fueling your hair growth. You want to eat a well balanced diet and focus on foods that help boost your testosterone levels and hair growth. These include:

• Iron (Liver)
• Lean protein (Salmon, chicken, steaks)
• Healthy fats (Avocado)
• Whole grains, beans and nuts
• Zinc (Chickpeas)
• Green Vegetables and fruits high in Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E

Trim Your Beard Regularly

While you don’t want to shave your beard, you want to trim it regularly. Plus, there are ways you can cut your beard to make it appear thicker, such as by removing any stragglers popping out of the sides. Using a beard trimmer with a guide ensure all the hairs are uniform giving it a fuller groomed look. 

Focus on Mental Health

Too much stress can lead to hair loss all over. You need to learn to relax and identify stressors in your life. From there, you can take measures to limit how much the stress impacts your day-to-day life. Meditation and yoga are great at boosting mental health and reducing stress. 

Use a Derma Roller

Derma rollers utilize micro-needling, whereby tiny medical grade steel or titanium pins to pierce the very upper layers of your skin. This injures the skin and forces it to produces more collagen, which is the foundation for strong hair. 

There hasn't been many clinical studies to prove that derma rollers work but a lot of men swear by it for hair growth on both scalp and beard

Adopt a Regular Exercise Routine

Exercise is great for enhancing testosterone levels and also for better mental health. Make sure you get 60 minutes of exercise two to three times a week. Exercise stimulates blood circulation, ensuring you get enough blood pumping through your body. 

Get Plenty of Rest and Sleep

A healthy body and mind results in a healthy beard. In addition to eating right and exercising, you also want to make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep every night. 

Use Beard Oil or Beard Balm 

Beard oil and beard balms nourishes the facial hairs and keeps it looking thicker, healthier and smelling fresh. It also prevents itchy skin and dandruff by nourishing the surface of your skin. This seals in moisture, prevents dryness and keeps hairs from falling out. 

Take Supplements

Supplements and vitamins can help aid hair growth all over. You want to look out for ones that specifically target hair, such as biotin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, copper, zinc, and magnesium. 

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is FDA approved and typically used for helping hair growth on the scalp. But some guys have been using it off label and swear it also works for facial hairs to grow fuller beards and thicker mustaches. 

Minoxidil has not been approved by the FDA for this use, so consult a doctor first before trying it. Also be aware of some of the side effects of minoxidil which includes itchiness, dryness, and irritation. All the side effects can be minimized with a healthy men's skincare routine.

Drink Plenty of Water

Water keeps your skin hydrated, nourished and healthy. When your skin is healthy, your beard is healthy, so make sure you get at least 60oz of water daily. 

Unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all beard growth solutions for everyone. Genetics plays a big role in this.  You may need to try a few of these methods to see which ones work for you. 

It may seem like it is a lot of work but the process will all be worth it. Once you see yourself with a healthy, on trend, full beard, you’ll realize it was all worth it.  

urth has curated skin care kits for men to simplify men's skincare routine. These plant powered men’s skin care products are formulated with non pore clogging ingredients like chamomile, green tea, ginseng and pure essential oils to cleanse, brighten and nourish skin for a healthy and clear complexion. Improved and better skin after every use. Perfect for all skin types - including men with sensitive, dry, combo, and oily skin.   

References:

Schaefer, Anna. “How to Make Facial Hair Grow.” Healthline, 16 Apr. 2019. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-make-facial-hair-grow

Whelan, Corey. “How to Grow a Beard Faster.” Healthline, 5 Dec. 2018. https://www.healthline.com/health/beard-growth-fast