If you want to have a nice full beard, you won't easily accept the idea that you just need a little time. In fact, the most important (and unchangeable) determining factor on the speed of beard growth is one's genetic profile. However, there are some steps you can take to speed up this process slightly. Look after your beard as it grows, lead a healthy lifestyle, and see your doctor if he needs additional help. And most importantly, have patience!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treating the Face and Beard
Step 1. Be patient and let your beard grow
Genetic makeup is the main factor that determines how quickly a beard grows (and its length), so there's little you can do about it. While you can take steps to encourage this process, you have to accept the fact that it grows on its own according to its timing.
- Some say that regular trimming accelerates beard growth, but there is no evidence to support this claim.
- It is possible that frequent shaving before starting a growth process stimulates the hair follicles, but the effectiveness of this method is by no means proven.
- So once you start growing it, avoid shortening it!
Step 2. Wash your face twice a day to cleanse the hair follicles
Wet your face with warm water. If you haven't started growing it yet, apply a mild facial cleanser. If it's already a little short, use a shampoo that's gentle on hair only. Rinse with fresh, clean water, then pat dry with a soft towel. Repeat this treatment morning and evening.
- Washing your face regularly helps remove dirt and sebum from the follicles and facilitates hair growth.
- To find out if a cleanser is right for your skin, apply a small amount to your chin and leave it for 10 minutes. If you don't experience any reactions (such as redness or irritation), you can use it to wash your face.
Step 3. Massage your face twice a day to stimulate the follicles
Press your fingertips firmly to your face, but don't hurt yourself, then make small circular motions on your beard. Massage for about 10 minutes, twice a day.
Advise:
a regular massage performed on the face stimulates the hair follicles and promotes faster beard growth. And it will surely make you feel better!
Step 4. Exfoliate your face once a week
Wash it normally with a mild cleanser or shampoo, but rinse with warm water and leave the skin moist. Gently rub the exfoliant all over your face (including beard if present), then rinse with clean water and pat dry.
- Exfoliating helps eliminate dead skin cells that may be preventing the follicles from carrying out their inductive potential for hair formation.
- Before applying it all over your face, try a nut on your chin for 5-10 minutes. If you feel neither burning nor irritation, it means that you can use it safely.
Step 5. Use beard oil or softener
While you shouldn't trust all products that claim to stimulate beard growth, a specially designed oil or softener may actually offer some benefits. Keeping your beard soft and hydrated can slightly accelerate its growth.
- However, avoid oil if you suffer from acne. It could aggravate the rashes.
- Badly, these products improve the appearance of the beard, regardless of how quickly it grows.
Advise:
choose a eucalyptus-based product. According to some research, it is able to stimulate hair growth.
Step 6. Try some DIY recipes to promote growth
As with most home remedies, the evidence to support the effectiveness of these solutions is very limited. However, there is no risk of them causing harm, so give it a try:
- Make a fine paste with 15ml freshly pressed lime juice and 15g ground cinnamon. Apply a thin layer of this compound to your beard, let it sit for 20-30 minutes, then rinse and use your regular facial cleanser. Use this paste 1-2 times a day, but stop if it irritates.
- Mix 45 g of dried mustard leaves and 60 ml of amla oil to form a smooth paste. Apply a thin layer to your beard, leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse and wash your face with your normal cleanser. Refrigerate the remainder and use it every day for 48-72 hours.
Method 2 of 3: Change Your Diet and Lifestyle
Step 1. Increase your consumption of foods containing vitamins B3, B5, B7 and B9
Many B vitamins promote hair health, so increasing your intake can help your beard grow a little faster and make it thicker. Biotin (vitamin B7) seems particularly beneficial, so consider checking with your doctor to find out if you can take it as a supplement.
- Walnuts are an excellent source of biotin (vitamin B7).
- Vitamins B3 and B5 are found in chicken, beef, fish, dairy products and avocado.
- You can find vitamin B9 in grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables.
Step 2. Increase your intake of vitamins A, C and E
Like the B vitamins, even those just mentioned are good for hair and hair. In addition, they are important for health in general.
- To get vitamin A, eat carrots, broccoli, and green leafy vegetables.
- For vitamin C choose green peppers, tomatoes and citrus fruits.
- When it comes to vitamin E, opt for beans, nuts, and green leafy vegetables.
Step 3. Eat a balanced diet to promote beard health
While it is recommended that you focus on essential vitamins, you need to have a healthy diet that provides you with a wide variety of nutrients. Think of it this way: anything that's good for the body is good for the beard too!
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (such as avocados and olive oil).
- Cut down on processed foods, excess salt and sugar, and unhealthy fats (such as saturated and trans fats found in processed foods).
- Drink water to hydrate your body and hair follicles.
Step 4. Exercise and get enough sleep
Like healthy eating, sport and sleep are also good for the body and the health of the beard. Search for:
- Practice at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity throughout the week. Moderate intensity means your heart rate increases and your breathing becomes so strenuous that you can't speak.
- Do muscle strengthening exercises 2-3 times a week, each lasting 30-60 minutes.
- Get 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.
Step 5. Reduce Stress to Promote Beard Growth
You've probably heard that high stress can cause hair loss. Hence, it shouldn't surprise you that it may also slow down hair growth. This means that the less you worry about your beard, the better chance it will grow!
- Try to relieve stress in the best way. You can practice yoga, meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, walk in nature, listen to soothing music, talk with friends or read a good book.
- If you are having trouble managing stress, ask your doctor or mental health professional for help.
Step 6. Stop smoking for your beard too
There is no direct evidence that smoking is bad for the beard. However, in many ways it is so damaging to overall health that it is not unreasonable to think that it can also hinder beard growth. Whether you want to grow it or not, try to quit smoking as soon as possible.
- There are numerous treatments to cure smoking. Consult your doctor to find the method that best suits your needs (or the right combination of methods).
- Smoking has been proven to accelerate the graying process of the beard.
Method 3 of 3: Consider Medical Options
Step 1. Consult your doctor to evaluate testosterone and DHT values
Testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are androgens. The levels of DHT affect the thickness of the beard, while those of T affect the thickness of the hair. To improve beard growth, you can manage both under medical supervision.
- Do not use pills, creams, injections, or other products that increase testosterone without your doctor's advice and guidance. There may be a number of unwanted side effects that hinder beard growth.
- Your doctor may recommend that you perform muscle strengthening exercises on a regular basis to naturally increase testosterone levels.
Step 2. Learn about the use of minoxidil
Minoxidil, known by various trade names (especially the North American one Rogaine), is widely used to slow down the development of male pattern baldness. When applied correctly to the face, it should stimulate beard growth. However, even though it is sold freely in many countries, you should consult your doctor before applying it to your face.
- It may be more suitable for treating areas where the hair is thinner than for a quick stimulation of the whole beard.
- If treatment is stopped, all newly grown hairs may fall out.
Step 3. Learn about microneedling to stimulate hair growth
Microneedling consists of treating the face with a device similar to a lint brush without adhesive paper, but equipped with hundreds of very thin needles. Proponents of this method believe that the small pricks stimulate hair follicles and beard growth.
- Some dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons use in-office microneedling to treat skin problems, such as acne. Consult your doctor before resorting to this technique or purchasing a device to perform micropuncture at home.
- When done correctly, the treatment should be safe and almost painless. However, it is essential that the device is disinfected before each use according to the instructions (usually, you have to soak it in alcohol).
Step 4. Consider facial hair transplantation as a last resort
If there are areas where the beard does not grow at all, hair transplantation may be the only solution. As with hair transplantation, in this case too the hair follicles are transferred from one area (such as the nape of the neck) to the other (in this case the cheeks).
- Generally, for a beard hair transplant you need to undergo several procedures, which are expensive and time-consuming. It could take almost 2 years to see satisfactory results, and the surgery doesn't always work.
- Transplanting can help fill in sparse areas, but it does not accelerate beard growth.
