Though different cultures have different standards of physical attractiveness, many people regard having a beard as masculine and sophisticated. Gentlemen from all walks of life must have wondered how to grow a thicker beard and look more attractive.
It seems easy to just grow your beard out and not having to bother with a razor. However, we are not aware that there is more to growing a thicker beard than meets the eye.
Some thick beards look unkempt and bushy and therefore not pleasing to the eyes. On one hand, some guys manage to grow thicker and clean-looking beards.
More than just growing the beard out, we also need to ensure that they are groomed properly. Commitment is necessary for those who want to sport a thicker beard
The Ideal Beard
If your goal is to have a beard that brings out your masculine side, then you must take note of certain qualities. The ideal gentleman beard is:
- 2 to 3 inches in length – not too long or too short, but enough to be noticeable
- Full and well kept so that it looks neat and presentable
- Lively with a glow about it
The longer the hairs are, the thicker the beard looks. However, just because a beard is 6 inches long that does not mean it looks great already.
The number of hairs can make or break the way a beard looks. Some people have naturally full-looking beard because they have volumes of hair, while others need to exert more effort to make their beard look fuller.
With proper beard care and the motivation to maintain the look and health of your beard, you can add some glow and make it look more lively. Since beards are hairs, hair care products can also be used on them.
How Long Does it Take to Grow a Beard?
There is not definite answer to this question.
How long does it take to grow a beard? Many guys ask this question but the answer is the same: it differs from man to man.
Some are genetically predisposed to growing their hair fast, while others are not. That is why some guys can have a beard in as little as two months while other guys need a longer time frame.
Time also varies depending on how long you want to grow your beard. Even if you have naturally fast-growing hair, if you intend to grow such a long beard, you will end up waiting for years instead of months before you reach the desired length.
Every month, our hair grows half an inch. You can expect to have longer beard hair if you intend to sport a wider beard.
We should also take the time to know what type of beard hair we have. Knowing our hair better (e.g. characteristics and quirks) can give us a better understanding of the type of beard we should grow.
Take note that beard hair is not the same as regular hair. It is a cross between androgenic hair and head hair.
According to Webmd.com, beard thickness and darkness are the result of testosterone content in the body. Girls do have a faint hint of facial hair but because there is less testosterone (male sex hormone) in their body, they are unlikely to grow a thick, dark beard.
Guys who do not have facial hair or have thin and slow-growing facial hair than others may have low testosterone levels.
All is not lost for those of us with slow-growing hair, however. There are several methods you can pursue to help your beard hair grow faster.
Growing a Thick Beard
If your beard is not as growing as well as you want it to, you need to exert some extra effort. Growing a thick beard requires a degree of commitment and slacking off along the way can breed different and less than pleasing results.
The steps you need to undertake are simple and easy, however. All it takes is motivation and dedication to proper beard care and maintenance.
Here is a list of tips for growing a thicker beard
Adopt the right diet
We sometimes think beards are not growing well because of genetic factors. It is different for some cases, though.
Diet is a crucial factor and it affects beard thickness in more ways than you realize. Our body is only as good as the types of food we take in.
Thin-looking and slow-growing beard is at times the result of improper food intake. Eating foods that hamper hair growth and follicle stimulation is not good for beard growth.
For a successful beard-growing phase, avoid eating foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats. These affects the appearance of your facial hair and, in certain occasions, you may even experience hair loss.
By eating healthy meals, particularly fruits, lot of protein and leafy green vegetables, hair problems are less likely to haunt us. If you never ate broccoli, spinach, nuts, beans or seafood before, then it is not too late to start a new eating habit.
More than your food intake, proper diet also includes drinking lots of water everyday. Keep your cells hydrated and see your beard looking fuller and livelier before you know it.
This is one step many people seem to take for granted. Instead of drinking the recommended eight glasses a day, people would rather drink sodas and sugary juices.
If beard growth and thickness is our goal, then we should start drinking water and stay hydrated.
Increase your intake of vitamins and minerals
We do get vitamins and minerals from the food that we eat and some of the natural juices we drink. Unfortunately, not all the vitamins you take in are ideal for beard growth.
Healthier beards receive a good dose of specific vitamins. In fact, proper beard growth has a lot to do with these vitamins and how much they are consumed by the body.
In your quest to thicken your beard, you need sufficient amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B Vitamins (B3 and B7) and E. Experts also recommend citrus flavonoids, zinc and Biotin, a water-soluble B-vitamin (alternately called Vitamin B7) that is important to the growth of your hair, nails and skin cells.
Get to know the following vitamins and minerals and their effects on your beard:
Vitamin A
B Vitamins
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
You also have the option to take supplements specifically geared towards beard growth. These supplements are alternative multivitamins but they are customized to help you grow a thicker beard.
When choosing supplements, make sure they do not only contain the essential vitamins and minerals mentioned above, but also antioxidants that effectively eliminate toxins from your body.
Exercise caution every time you consume beard growth supplements. Too much of anything can lead to negative results.
Also, take note that beard supplements work differently for different men. Some would grow thicker beards faster than the others after taking such supplements.
Groom your beard properly
Proper beard care does promote a thicker and fuller looking beard, This include, among others, washing your beard regularly.
Washing with warm water, shampooing and applying conditioner are some beard care strategies you need to consider. The beard not only looks more refined and sophisticated when washed and thoroughly, but the extra effort gives it more volume.
Some people comb their beard to get out the tangles. You can also apply beard care products that help your beard stay in place.
For a clean finish, you can opt to apply hair care products like hair polish to give your beard an added luster.
Sleep well and exercise
This is may sound like a cliché piece of advice but it is practical and realistic.
Take note that beard growth and fullness may depend on the condition of your body. A tired and stressed out body cannot properly function as it should.
In this regard, even your hair follicles will not be able to deliver the growth speed they are normally accustomed to when your body was healthier.
Sleep between 6 and 8 hours a day. Get rid of the excuses and just get up for a jog around your area.
You can also perform do-it-yourself cardio exercises. Even basic yoga or simple running can already make a lot of difference.
With proper sleep and regular exercise, your body recovers its usual functions. Your hair cells will also grow well and the beard you have always wanted to have will soon be yours.
Final Thoughts
Bear in mind that growing a beard is not a simple undertaking. Beards can be hard to maintain.
Do not forget the fact that your beard is unique and may not exhibit the same traits as other gentlemen’s beards.
Regardless, appreciate your beard and pamper it once in a while the way most women spend time and effort to take care of their hair.
One must not only be motivated but also dedicated to growing a beard. It takes time and patience to achieve a thicker and fuller beard that other gentlemen would envy.
If in the past you used to ask “How long does it take to grow a beard?”, now you know how to grow a thick beard on your own.