Time and commitment are the keys to growing a great beard. Being that the growth rate will depend on your individual testosterone levels and genetics, growing a beard will require commitment and patience. Deciding to grow a beard comes with various periods of patchiness and itchiness but when you push through those stages theirs a guarantee, you’ll have the beard you desire. If you are in the process of growing a beard, interested in learning how to or searching for new products to maintain your already grown beard then keep reading. This guide will break down the step by step process, the stages of beard growth, maintenance, health tips, and our top recommended products.
Before getting into the step by step process, it is important that you understand that you cannot grow a full beard with 7 days. 4- 6 weeks is the maximum amount of time you’ll have to wait before any type of beard is formed. Take this time to decide what type of beard style will be best suitable for you. As stated above, the determination of what type of style you can grow your beard into is partially based on your genetics. Not all men will be capable of growing thick beards, but that’s fine because growing a great one requires the same steps, regardless of the beard choice you choose.
STEP 1: You must be patient
Time can be considered the biggest obstacle between you and a good beard. You must let your beard grow for at least 4 to 6 weeks before trimming or shaping it. The main reason that men do not grow out their beards is not that they can’t grow them it’s because they give up within the first week because of the discomfort that comes along when growing a beard. Facial hair grows at a different rate for everyone. While one person’s hair growth can happen within a couple of weeks, it can take someone else months to grow a beard. Regardless of what the scenario is, you should remain patient and allow your beard to grow at its own pace.
STEP 2: Stop picking at the beard
Leaving your beard alone is a very simple but overlooked step that can help your beard grow faster. Resisting the urge to do any grooming to your hair may be very difficult. During the first few weeks, but if you’re always picking your beard unnatural patchiness can occur. Trimming, shaping, and cutting should be avoided during this time. This step might be difficult to understand, but trust if you leave the beard alone it will grow faster. Once the 4 to 6-week mark has passed you will be able to shave and clean the beard as much as you like.
STEP 3: Trim the beard
When it comes to trimming the beard it is recommended that you go to a professional because it can be very tricky shaving your facial hair on your own. But if you are determined on doing it yourself, you want an electric razor, beard trimmer, or scissors to make sure you get the job done right. A beard trimmer or beard scissors will help you get rid of excess hair and define the neckline while a razor or electric shaver will help free your neck of the remaining stubble. Be careful when trimming the neckline because you can trim too high, especially if this is your first time defining the shape of your beard.
STEP 4: Condition the beard
Just like any other hair treatment beard shampoo and conditioner go hand in hand. Washing and exfoliating your beard regularly is important once your facial hair starts filling in. You’ll want to begin by shampooing your beard first. It is also important that you purchase a quality product made specifically for your beard. This will help keep your beard hydrated, relieved from itchiness and patches. If you want to take it up a notch applying beard balm will also be essential because it is a leave-in conditioner and can also act as a beard styler.
STEP 5: Invest in a good quality brush
Normally the natural oils produced by the skin are collected at the base of the shaft and only the bottom of each hair is getting nourished. When you purchase a good quality brush it helps distribute the natural oils. Breakage, fizzing, and split ends can be avoided when the beard is nourished. Brushing can also help shape and tame your beard into place.
Now that you’re familiar with the steps on how to grow a beard let’s look at the different stages of beard growth.
STAGE 1: The Initial Stage (0 – 2 Weeks)
There isn’t a whole lot going on during the first week of beard growth. This is the most uncontrollable as well as the hardest phase of beard growth. You should let your facial hair grow for a solid month without trimming. You will be able to determine your beard potential because this allows you to discover the rate of growth your hair follicles produce. Your face will be the itchiest during this beard growth stage. It is recommended that you begin to use beard oil and a bristle brush to calm the sensation of the itchiness. Beard newbies may be surprised by the intensity of how much the beard itches, though it differs for each individual, it has caused some men to cut their journeys early by picking up their razors and shaving off their beards.
STAGE 2: Development Stage (2 – 4 Weeks)
At this stage, you should begin to become aware of the recommended beard products that you’re likely to need for the next couple of weeks and beyond. Beards do not always grow in the most flattering patterns so this can also be an awkward stage of growth. You might even begin to experience patches during this stage. Patchiness afflicts your beard for many possible reasons such as poor nutrition, genetics, stress, and so forth. Later on, we’ll discuss all of these in-depth.
STAGE 3: Monitor & control stage (1 – 2 Months)
Upkeep is what this next stage is all about. We recommend that you book an appointment with your local barbershop during this phase. If this is your first time growing a beard it might not be the best idea for you to trim it yourself. It can be rather difficult to get the best definition for your neck and cheek lines when you’re the one doing the trimming. All it takes is for one error and you can wind up wiping out all the progress you’ve made so far. For that reason, leaving this to your barber might be the best idea. If for some reason you can’t make it to the barbershop and you have to do it yourself aim for only removing a small amount. To prevent itchiness, ingrown hairs, and irritation, you must be keeping up with a solid facial routine.
Take this stage as a learning period and discover what styles are best suitable for your beard and which ones you can’t get away with one growing one.
STAGE 4: Execute stage (2 – 4 Months)
By this stage, you should already have your beard care routine mastered, which consists of washing and conditioning it every few days, which will keep the skin underneath your beard healthy and applying beard balm, which will keep your beard soft and manageable. During this phase, your beard has a mind of its own. You can expect some hairs to be popping up in one direction while others are pointed in another. You need to be persistent when it comes to combing and brushing your beard. Even with a facial care routine, your beard needs more control than ever.
Remember, you must commit to a daily ritual of beard care if you’re serious about growing a full beard. Your beard care doesn’t have to consist of 10 different products and techniques but regularly taking care of it will assist in the appearance, health, and growth of the beard.
3 – 6 Months
Beyond beard maintenance, your mustache is another area you’ll need to focus on. It can be extremely annoying when your upper lip hair follicles begin curling into your mouth while you’re eating. To prevent this from happening you can trim back the mustache. If you do intend to embrace and grow out the mustache, then mustache wax is an important tool you should be aware of. Introducing this wax into your ritual beard care routine will help put stray hairs in an organized and uniform fashion, away from your mouth.
Also in this stage, you will begin to notice a decrease in growth rate, which is completely normal as is the shedding that comes from regular brushing. On average you can expect to shade 50 – 100 hairs per day. You may also experience beardruff during this stage, but with regular washing and moisturizing, you can fight it.
9 – 12 Months
Congratulations on officially growing a yeard ( beard for a year). Not only did you grow one, but you stayed committed to the course. You should be proud of this achievement.
Once your beard has officially grown it’s time for beard maintenance.
Beard Maintenance
Wash your beard with beard shampoo
Washing your beard 2 – 3X a week with beard shampoo will prevent the build-up of sweat and excess oil from accumulating in your beard. Natural ingredients and sulfate-free shampoos are the best items when it comes to beards. Be sure not to use regular hair shampoo, as it will cause dryness to your facial hair and skin.
Hydrate and condition your beard
Using a beard oil that is made from natural ingredients, premium essentials oils, and extracts will give you the best results. Using a beard oil to condition the beard will help prevent itchiness and flakes while moisturizing the skin underneath. Remember, the health of the skin underneath the beard will determine how healthy the beard will be.
Be sure to trim your beard.
Keeping your beard looking well-kept and healthy requires trimming. It is recommended to use scissors instead of trimmers when it’s time for a trim. Split ends can easily be created when using a trimmer while scissors allow for a more precise adjustment to your beard shape. Following the natural contour of your face is important when it comes to trimming. Always be sure to brush your hair with a small comb while trimming so you can properly see which hairs need to be trimmed.
Brush and comb your beard
Brushing and combing your beard consistently is very essential to your beard care routine. You should be using a beard comb or bristle brush every day to help untangle the beard hairs and place them in the desired direction. If the comb and brush aren’t enough to get those unruly hairs into place then consider adding a leave-in conditioner to help you.
While maintenance will play a big part in your beard growth, there are health tips you can follow to help your beard achieve maximum potential.
Take Care of Your Body
Your facial hair condition is a direct reflection of the health of your body. This is why it is important to make sure you are taking care of yourself.
Exercise
When you exercise your testosterone levels increase, which can help promote facial hair growth. Exercising also helps increase blood circulation because blood carries proteins and vitamins to your hair follicles which helps enhance hair growth.
Diet
Another way to boost testosterone is through a healthy diet. Your beard will be able to maximize its growth potential if you have a well-rounded diet that is full of water, proteins, and minerals. You can also add a vitamin supplement to your diet, including biotin, flaxseed, vitamin C, and zinc. The production of hair growth will begin to slow down if you do not have these appropriate nutrients in your body.
Rest
Sleep is just as essential for your health and well-being as it is for growing a healthy beard. It is possible to improve the quality of your beard and it’s growth rate by getting enough sleep. There is an increase in blood circulation when sleeping because the body’s temperature is lower. The more circulation, the more nutrients that can reach the hair follicles.
Stress
Stress causes your blood vessels to become constricted, which will result in your hair roots receiving fewer nutrients. Stress can also affect the growth rate of your beard because it lowers your immune system and when your immune system is lowered, that means less hair growth.
Just how these health tips are important to growing an awesome beard. So is using the correct products. Here is a list of the most highly recommended products for beard growth.
The Best Beard Growth Products
Beard Comb
Using the $0.99 plastic comb that you have in your mirror cabinet can be very tempting, but it is highly recommended that the comb you use is meant for beard grooming. You need a bread comb that is gentle and won’t rip out your facial hair but is still strong enough to untangle the knots that arise in your beard. Combs that are made with the material of as wood or acetate are the best quality beard combs.
Boar Bristle Beard Brush
A boar hair bristle brush is an excellent tool that keeps your beard under control. Synthetic brushes that are meant for your scalp cause unnecessary tugging and pulling while a boar hair bristle brush administrates the needed oils evenly throughout your beard.
Beard Scissors
A pair of beard scissors is one tool you should always have in your grooming kit. Don’t be afraid to pull out the beard scissors and trim your facial hair the old-fashioned way. Beard scissors can be more precise than a beard trimmer, allowing you to blend and trim certain areas quickly and easily. If you Plan on using beard scissors in your beard care ritual, you must purchase scissors that are made for beard grooming. You can potentially hurt yourself and cut off more hairs than needed if you use regular scissors.
Beard Trimmer
One tool that is a necessity for maintaining Facial hair is an electric beard trimmer. The best beard trimmer offers a range of settings which allow for you to slip away strays while also helping you maintain a consistent length. You can guarantee that using a high-quality beard trimmer will always keep you looking representable.
Beard Oil
In addition to giving your beard a nice shine and a great smell, beard oil also softens your beard. Using beard oil is a great way to decrease the itchiness that occurs when growing a beard. It will also prevent flakes and hydrate your facial hair while enhancing them to grow. Washing your beard regularly is an important step when it comes to your beard care ritual, but it also strips your beard of its natural oils. Due to this cause-and-effect beard oil acts as a leave-in conditioner to balance the natural oils in your beard.
Beard Balm
Beard balm offers hold and control but is a little bit heavier than beard oil. Because the texture is heavier it will provide an extended conditioning effect as opposed to beard oil. When it comes to styling your beard, the balm is a great product because it makes it easier to scalp your beard while keeping it uniformed. The balm has been used for years to make beards appear thicker. Due to the high-quality Shea butter that is used in a beard balm, it adds texture to your facial hair, giving off the appearance of a fuller beard. At the same time, your hair is protected from dirt and is also moisturized.
Beard Wash & Conditioner
Using regular shampoo will cause dryness to both your beard and skin. As a result, your hair will become brittle and your skin will become flaky. The structure of your facial hair is different from the rest of the hair on your body, so it is required of you to use a specially designed shampoo and conditioner to keep your beard healthy and clean.
When it comes to conditioning, let the product sit in your beard well taking a shower then rinse out before drying. Hydration can be compromised depending on how much build-up you have or how often you wash your beard. Adding this additional step to your care routine will help bring hydration back to your skin and hair.
Mustache Wax
To tie everything up you’ll need a mustache wax. Using wax allows you to define your mustache and also helps tame any stray hairs. Mustache wax carries a stronger consistency than a balm, so less is more when it comes to creating the style you want. Though it provides a stronger hold it will also keep your mustache and upper lip moisturized. Due to the long-lasting cell energy that is provided when using mustache wax, it helps promote blood circulation and transport nutrients to your beard faster.
Conclusion
Growing a beard might not be compared to rocket science, but it’s not as easy as it looks either. The journey of growing a beard from scratch requires patience, knowledge, and commitment. While everyone’s experience may differ, it is common to encounter many of the same things along the way. Now that you are more knowledgeable on how to grow a beard, the stages, maintenance, and health tips and the best products for your beard care routine, you can begin your journey with confidence. We hope this guide provided all the information you needed when it comes to beards. Good luck on your journey.
So, How would you best describe your beard growth journey? Are you in the process of going a beard now? We’d love to hear your feedback and experience.
1 thought on “Guide to Perfect Beard – From Stubble to Full Beard: The Only Guide to Beard Growth You’ll Ever Need”
Wow! Now that you are more knowledgeable on how to grow a beard, the stages, maintenance, and health tips, and the best products for your beard care routine, you can begin your journey with confidence. Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.