The beard is one of the most attractive physical attributes of a man for many people, since it is considered a sign of virility and aesthetics if it is well cared for and if it suits the wearer’s face.
Unfortunately, not all people are genetically predisposed to have a beard, and that becomes frustrating for many men who want to have it but, no matter how much they try, they simply cannot find a way to make it happen.
There are also people who want their beard to take a different shape than what it has but, not knowing how to care for it, it ends up becoming very problematic. That is why we have some tips for you here to grow your beard, take care of it, and help it become your most irresistible characteristic.
Tips for Growing and Caring for Your Beard
Set a Realistic Goal
It is no use getting carried away and imagining yourself with a super thick beard if you have an irregular beard or a face that practically does not grow a beard. It is good to have goals, but they must be in line with who we are and what we have in our favor.
It is very likely that you will not achieve the great beard that you always dreamed of, but rather a decent beard that will go well with your face and will surely make you feel comfortable.
Identify your Type of Beard
This step is a bit more complicated because, for it to be more effective, it requires the support of a third party: a dermatologist specialist, who will tell you what your skin type is on your face and what it requires to make your beard grow.
You may be one of those people who do grow a beard but there are some spaces, such as the cheeks or dimples, where not even a hair appears, and the dermatologist can tell you what treatment can work for you to help you better with the process.
Just Let It Grow
Unfortunately, many attempts to grow a beard end almost as soon as they begin because most men do not have the patience to let things take their course, as a GQ magazine article points out.
That is why, although it sounds like an obvious piece of advice, it is best to let time be your best ally and give nature space to do its job. Try not to shave at all for several weeks and observe the results periodically, so that you can see which parts of your beard need more help and in which ones the hair appears without problems.
Take Care of the Area Where You Want the Beard
Unless your dream is to have one of those thick, long beards like some metalheads or wise men from the Middle Ages, it is best to take good care of your face to remove hair from areas where you do not want it to appear.
It is very common to shave in areas such as the cheeks or towards the neck to not allow the beard to grow beyond that space. Think of the beard as a kind of lawn plot: to keep it healthy, it needs to be pruned in areas where weeds can form.
Trim It as It Grows
Okay, yes, we know this contradicts the third point, but it makes sense: if you really are not one of those people who have trouble growing their beard naturally, the more you go through the process of letting it grow and cutting it, the stronger the new hair that replaces the old one will grow, so your beard will become more resistant.
This secret is something that women share a lot when they want to grow their hair: they let it grow two centimeters and cut one so that it looks longer and even silky.
Use Hair Products
Once your dermatologist tells you which products you can use to grow your beard, you can also ask them about other accessories and purchase them, such as a beard oil, whose nutrients can help give shine and strength to the hair on your face.
There are also balms and beard creams that are a bit stronger than oils, which will help you detangle the hair, prevent it from getting frizzy, and make it easier to comb your beard and keep it in place most of the time. And of course! Good grooming is essential for the body, so we also recommend acquiring a special shampoo for beards.
Brushing is Essential
Just as it is important to brush your hair to keep it untangled, and your teeth to keep them clean, brushing your beard is also relevant, especially to help exfoliate the skin underneath it, eliminate dead cells, and prevent skin flaking.
You also ensure that the beard hair benefits from the natural oils produced by the skin, as you will be distributing them along the length of each hair shaft instead of letting them accumulate at the base.
Eat Healthy
Nutrition is the foundation of bodily health, so if you prioritize a nutrient-rich diet, they will strengthen your body in any part.
If you want to strengthen your beard or help your body produce more hair, foods that contain vitamins A, B, C, and E will be your best allies. You can find these in spinach, nuts, berries, bell peppers, avocados, and sweet potatoes.
Story originally written in Spanish by Alejandro Vizzuet in Cultura Colectiva.