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Home > Skin & Beauty > Hair & Scalp > How to Grow a Thick Beard

How to Grow a Thick Beard

July 5, 2021 - Updated on April 25, 2022
6 min read
By Akanksha Shah Sanghvi, MD, Clinical Dermatology

In this article:

  • Causes of Poor Beard Growth
  • Ways to Grow a Thick Beard
  • Self-Care Measures: Beard Grooming
  • Myths About Beard Growth
  • General Queries
  • Final Word

A full, thick beard is often perceived as a representation of masculinity and a feature of alpha males. Thus, it is not uncommon to hear teenage boys wanting a thick beard as soon as possible.

grow beard faster and thicker

Various factors influence beard growth. While you cannot alter your genes, you can improve your diet and take care of your facial hair to facilitate its growth.

This article will discuss the medical treatments, home remedies, and self-care measures that you can do to support the growth of a full beard. This article will also bust myths surrounding beards.

Causes of Poor Beard Growth

reasons behind poor beard growth

Beard growth and facial hair quality depend on multiple factors:

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  • Genetic makeup: Ethnicity and genes are the major factors influencing beard type and growth. Chinese men, for example, are seen to have finer beard growth than Caucasians. (1)  
  • Hormonal issues: Low levels of testosterone, commonly as a result of hypogonadism, can delay beard growth.
  • Autoimmune conditions: The immune system may attack the body’s own cells, such as the hair follicles, and stimulate hair fall and bald patches, causing alopecia areata on the beard or scalp.
  • Nutritional deficiencies: A lack of some nutrients can make the beard thinner, and low protein levels in the body can result in reduced testosterone production and beard growth. (2)
  • Medications: Different medications or treatment therapies such as chemotherapy may stimulate thinning of the beard and hair as a side effect.
  • Age: Hair fall and balding are part of the natural aging process.

Ways to Grow a Thick Beard

Several methods can boost beard growth, increase its density, and also prevent hair thinning to help achieve a full beard.

Medical treatments:

Consult your doctor on the use of the following treatment modalities:

  • Hair growth medications: Minoxidil is the only topical medication for thinning hair approved by the FDA. While these treatments are formulated for scalp hair, they can be used for the beard as well. (3) 
  • Hair transplant: You can also consult your doctor for hair transplant procedures if you have bald patches in your beard.
  • Treatment of the underlying condition: If an underlying condition is hindering the growth of your beard, your doctor will suggest a suitable treatment after a careful evaluation.

Over-the-counter products:

A number of over-the-counter products that you can use from the comfort of your home can help improve beard growth and texture.

1. Beard balm

beard balms can be helpful in improving beard growth

Beard balms are generally used for styling and shaping the beard, often making the beard look thicker, but these products also moisturize the beard, acting as a leave-in conditioner.

Various beard balms are available commercially, and it is best to select those that contain natural ingredients such as cocoa butter, shea butter, and beeswax, instead of petroleum jelly-based balms, which can irritate the skin. These ingredients act as sealants that help hold the beard shape.

In addition, look for moisturizing components such as jojoba oil, which helps improve facial hair health.

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2. Beard oil

Similar to oiling your scalp hair, it is vital to oil your beard hair to encourage healthy growth. You can use beard oils, which are readily available.

These oils not only provide nourishment and softness to the hair but also hydrate the skin beneath your beard, therefore preventing itchiness. Besides, massaging the hair and skin with the oil boosts blood flow to the area, improving hair growth.

It is recommended to select beard oils containing natural plant-based oils such as jojoba oil.

3. Beard shampoo

go for special beard shampoos to wash your beard

You need to wash your beard to maintain hygiene and prevent problems such as infections that can impede hair growth. Since facial skin is sensitive, avoid using normal shampoos to wash your beard; instead, go for special beard shampoos to cleanse your beard once a week.

4. Beard dye

Dyeing your beard doesn’t affect its growth, but dark colors can give a thicker appearance. This is especially useful if you have a light-colored beard. Camouflage is a temporary fix. Beard sprays, dyes, and powders are used to mimic a full and thick beard.

Self-Care Measures: Beard Grooming

Grooming your beard is an essential step in making your beard look thick, full, healthy, and clean. It is suggested to trim your beard whenever it becomes uneven at the ends or you notice split ends.

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Trimming your beard timely also prevents it from tangling. Make sure to trim your beard in a smooth, set shape to make it appear full. You can also trim and shape your sideburns and the cheek line of your beard for a sharp appearance.

To achieve a perfectly shaped beard, it is recommended to invest in a beard tool and exercise patience when trimming it.

Myths About Beard Growth

These are common myths about beard growth:

1. Shave your beard often to grow thicker hair faster.

shaving your beard often does not lead to thicker beard growth

Shaving your beard only makes the tip of the hair blunt rather than pointy. Therefore, when your hair grows back, it appears thicker on the surface, while in reality, they are of the same thickness as before.

2. Smoking can lower testosterone production.

Research results on the effects of smoking on testosterone levels are contradictory and inconclusive. (4)(5)

General Queries

How long does it take to grow a full beard?

The growth rate of facial hair is influenced by genetics, medical history, and lifestyle factors. On average, your beard may grow in 2–4 months at approximately ½ inch every month.

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Can dermarollers boost beard hair growth?

It is not advised to use dermarollers for stimulating beard growth, especially at home, as their use is associated with an increased risk of infections.

Final Word

Many men desire a full, thick beard, but hair thinning and bald spots in the beard may develop. The good thing is several treatments can boost beard growth and give it a full appearance.

Besides treating your beard, it is also vital to take good care of it by maintaining its hygiene and getting proper nutrition. Also, try not to worry much about having a full, thick beard as beard growth is largely influenced by genetics, which is something out of your control.

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References
  1. F; MMRMBRS. The male beard hair and facial skin – challenges for shaving. International journal of cosmetic science. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27212465/. Published 2016.
  2. Hu T-Y, Chen YC, Lin P, et al. Testosterone-Associated Dietary Pattern Predicts Low Testosterone Levels and Hypogonadism. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266690/. Published November 16, 2018.
  3. Suchonwanit P, Thammarucha S, Leerunyakul K. Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: a review. Drug design, development and therapy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6691938/. Published August 9, 2019.
  4. English KM; Effect of cigarette smoking on levels of bioavailable testosterone in healthy men. Clinical science (London, England: 1979). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11352783/. Published 2001.
  5. Wang W; Cigarette smoking has a positive and independent effect on testosterone levels. Hormones (Athens, Greece). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24457405/. Published 2013.
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