STIMULATE BEARD GROWTH: Can It Be Accelerated?

In some places, the beard grows irregularly, and you ask yourself, “Can I stimulate the growth?” Here’s the answer:

Your beard doesn’t grow as full as your friends?

Don’t give up hope too quickly; many young men suffer from irregular beard growth. If you’re under 20 years old, there’s a good chance you’ll start to grow a beard. The first beard hairs that begin to sprout during puberty are very thin. Some gaps in the beard close as the beard hairs become stronger towards the end of puberty in the early 20s. Tip: It is better to shave off the initially thin beard hairs. This looks neater than irregular fluff.

Does shaving speed up beard growth?

The myth persists. But: No, frequent shaving does not accelerate beard growth, and the hair does not grow back thicker. Because when you shave, you don’t come into contact with the hair root, which is responsible for the growth and quality of the beard hair. But the beard hairs that are cut in the middle no longer have a frayed, pointed shape and are rougher and stronger. This way, you can at least cheat a little more on beard thickness.

Very important: Don’t play around with your beard hair or pull it. This will irritate the root, which, in the worst case, will stop hair production. This way, you can grow beard gaps yourself. You can find out here whether beard rollers accelerate beard growth instead.

Beard growth turbo testosterone

The fluctuations in the “male hormone” testosterone in the blood can also change the intensity of beard growth throughout life. Because testosterone levels also affect hair growth in men, for better or worse. It increases in adolescence and often has not yet reached its peak at the end of puberty. While an increase in testosterone negatively affects the roots of the hair on the head and can lead to hair loss, it also causes increased body hair and thus increased beard growth, which covers smaller gaps well after a certain length.

Testosterone beard growth
Testosterone is responsible for the intensity of beard growth. Photo: Cottonbro / Pexels.com

By the way, artificially increasing testosterone levels for the sake of beard growth is not a good idea. Firstly, hormone preparations can only influence beard hair thickness and not the number and distribution of hair follicles. And secondly, you have to take into account that an increase in hormones can also lead to increased hair loss on the head.

Promising therapies for circular beard gaps

“The most common reasons why men with uneven beard growth or even real gaps in the beard area visit our specialist practice for hair diseases are circular hair loss (alopecia areata barbae) or congenital short growth of the beard hair,” reports dermatologist and hair specialist Dr. Frank-Matthias Schaart from Hamburg. About 1 to 2 times a month, men with gaps in the beard area visit their specialist practice, asking for a diagnosis or therapeutic help. With these therapies, the specialist can give those affected hope, at least in the case of circular beard hair loss:

  • High-dose zinc treatments;
  • Topical immunotherapy by externally applying cortisone or injecting the hairless areas with cortisone crystal suspensions;
  • Treatment with the fractional laser. Schaart: “In around 50% of cases, the lost hair will completely regenerate after 15–18 weeks.”

However: “as a rule, there is no way to combat hereditary gaps in the beard, as the hair roots are missing or not even created,” says the expert. “In rare cases, infections of the beard hair roots caused by bacteria or fungi or “connective tissue diseases can be the cause of hair loss in the beard area.”

Can you transplant beard hair?

“Corrections in the upper lip area and on the cheeks are possible,” says Ursula Halsner, a hair surgeon from Munich. To put it simply, during the operation, tiny particles of skin (diameter approximately 0.9 millimeters) with hair roots are transplanted from the head to the face. “It is important that the hair on your head is strong enough to be suitable as a beard replacement. Hair that is too thin is unsuitable.”

The operation takes approximately sixty to ninety minutes, depending on the size of the grafts. “The healing time is only about ten days; a bandage is not necessary.” After twelve weeks, new beard hair begins to grow from the transplanted roots. Make an appointment with a hair surgeon or send him a photo in advance to determine whether the operation is feasible. You can find more information about hair transplantation here.

Nutritional tips for a fuller beard

Before you decide on such drastic methods, you should first try to provide your beard with optimal growth conditions in a natural way: The nutrients biotin and silica have been proven to promote healthy hair growth. Preparations are available cheaply in drugstores.

However, with a healthy diet, you can save yourself this expense. Healthy, protein-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, eggs, and cheese should have a permanent place on your menu.

By the way, rubbing the skin with hot mustard or garlic to stimulate hair roots to produce, fortunately, doesn’t work and belongs in the realm of beard myths.

Are there hair growth products for the beard?

Some men try to boost their beard growth with hair growth products for their heads. Reputable studies have proven, for example, the effectiveness of the active ingredients minoxidil or finasteride in hereditary hair loss on the head.

Whether minoxidil also works in the beard region is controversial: “Finasteride in tablet form generally does not help against irregular hair growth in the beard. Unlike in the area of ​​the scalp hair, where it sometimes achieves sensational success in men’s genetic hair loss,” says hair expert Schaart, “If at all, you can try using a solution containing minoxidil, which you massage into the affected areas twice a day. However, an effect is not certain here either.” Find out more about the side effects of finasteride here.

A full beard is still trendy; there is no question about it. If you have gaps in your beard that are extremely annoying or stressful for you, you should opt for a different beard style. Beard hairstyles that can be compatible with irregular hair growth include the Fu Manchu or the mustache, which is again very popular. You can find more inspiration in our beard hairstyle gallery.

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