If you’ve been growing your beard for a few weeks, with little progress, then you’re probably becoming a little impatient, wondering how long does it take to grow a full beard? How much longer will you have to deal with the itchy face? Unfortunately, there’s no one answer for this question. There are many factors that can come into play that will impact how quickly or slowly your beard grows in. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help speed up the process. In this guide, I’ll discuss the do’s and don’ts of growing a beard, how to boost hair growth, and what you can expect in terms of the growth rate, and approximately how long it should take your beard to fill in.
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Beard Growing Facts
A beard may have trouble growing if your skin is very dry and you don’t use a good beard moisturizer, you follow a poor diet, or you’ve never even considered combing it out. But even if you’re healthy and you groom your beard daily, it may still seem like it’s taking forever for your beard to come in.
There are many factors that will go into determining the growth rate for your beard. In many cases, this has to do with skin and hair follicle health. As I mentioned earlier, there are some things that you can do to boost the growth rate of your facial hair, but before I dive into some tips on how to stimulate hair growth, let’s first learn about the average growth rate and what you can anticipate in the coming weeks. Since skin and hair follicle health also play a major role in the growth rate, many beard wearers swear by using a moisturizer for beards, to ensure both healthy hair follicles and skin, which can help speed along the growth process.
Average Growth Rate
Now, let’s go overgrowth in general and some of the important factors that can have an impact on how fast hair grows and how thick it comes in. In most cases, you can expect half an inch of growth per month. For some men it will be more, while for others it will be less.
If left untrimmed, studies have shown that on average, a beard can grow to be 3 feet in length. It’s highly unlikely that a beard can grow longer than this since the growth stage only lasts so long.
Generally speaking, beards never grow longer than they will during the first 6 years of growth. It can take approximately three to four months to grow a beard out fully, however, this will vary from person to person.
While one man can experience an inch of growth per month, another man may only have half an inch. As I mentioned earlier, there are many factors that will come into play that can have an impact on a beard’s growth rate. This can include genetics, age, and race. Additionally, skin health and hair follicle health will also play a major role.
Typically, men will usually experience their biggest beard growth rate at ages 25 to 35, however it will vary from person to person. Hormones, such as testosterone, will boost hair growth more than any other factor.
Mature Growth and Fullness
As I mentioned earlier, it will take anywhere from three to six months to grow a full beard. A beard grows in several stages. During the first week, the growth mainly consists of stubble, as the beard continues to fill in as long as the wearer doesn’t trim it. Unfortunately, some men can’t help but try and tame their wild and bushy beard but doing so can delay the process and can lengthen the time frame in which the beard comes in fully. However, if you’re working in a professional environment, you may have to stay on top of basic grooming, otherwise your beard can quickly look like it’s out of control.
The Best Age
At 12 to 16 years of age, the first phase of hair growth takes place in males. This is when an adolescent will usually notice that there is some cheek stubble and hair above the lip. The best age for hair growth is around 25 to 35 years of age since testosterone levels rise. This increase in testosterone will extend the length of the anagen hair growth face. This gives hair more time to grow at a faster rate.
Stay Away from Your Razor
If you’re attempting to grow your beard to a certain length, then not shaving it or even shaping it will get you there faster. However, grooming is considered another matter. If you’re quickly becoming impatient and considering shaving off your beard, try and give it another week. Growing a beard can be an uncomfortable process. So, if are considering giving it up try to focus on moisturizing the skin and hair follicles during this time to see if there’s any improvement concerning itchiness and how fast your facial hair is coming in.
Itchiness is one of the most common reasons that men shave their beards and it occurs in the early stages of growth. The discomfort and itchiness that comes with growing a new beard is enough to drive any man crazy and cause him to seriously consider shaving. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to handle beard itch, such as using a good beard oil, which will hydrate the skin and moisturize hair follicles.
Basic Grooming
When I say not to shave your beard during this time, I’m not referring to some basic upkeep. You can always shave the neck, cheeks, and sideburns. But whatever you do, avoid allowing your beard to overtake your neck, which can quickly happen if you don’t stay on top of basic maintenance. Make sure that you trim all of the hair that isn’t above the Adam’s apple. Doing so can prevent an unkempt look as your beard continues to grow.
Use Biotin
If you’ve been searching for a way to boost hair growth, then you’ve probably read plenty of articles about biotin. This is a type of water-soluble vitamin that plays a large role in a variety of metabolic processes including the use of amino acids, carbs, and fat. It’s also part of the vitamin B complex which consists of important nutrients that are needed for digestive activity, cardiovascular help, metabolic processes, and healthy nerves. It also plays a role in the metabolism of fatty acids, glucose, and amino acids. When we eat food that contains carbs, proteins, and fats, this vitamin will help to convert and utilize these nutrients for optimal performance.
So, how does this supplement have an impact on hair growth? To begin with, it improves hair keratin infrastructure. Keratin is a type of protein that makes up the nails, skin, and hair. The result is hair that’s thicker and healthier both on the face and the scalp.
A deficiency in biotin can lead to a variety of skin issues including itchiness, psoriasis, dermatitis, and acne. Poor skin health is one of the biggest signs a person’s not getting the correct level of biotin. However, you’ll need to be very patient when using a supplement since it can take several months of use before you notice any results.
Improving Beard Growth
You can boost beard growth by properly maintaining it. Using certain products regularly, such as beard oil, can have a positive impact on the growth rate and the condition of your skin and facial hair. Brushing and combing your beard each day will also help boost hair growth. To learn more, you can read my article on the importance of combing your beard.
Follow a proper diet, get enough sleep, and take a biotin supplement. These are all things that you can do to speed up the growth rate. However, considering that genetics, your age, and testosterone levels, can all have an impact on the growth rate, you may not have any control over how quickly or slowly it takes for your beard to come in.
Final Thoughts
So, how long does it take to grow a full beard? On average, it can take three to six months, however, as I mentioned earlier in my guide, this can vary from man to man. There are many factors that will impact the growth rate. Some of these factors, you can control by improving your diet, taking a supplement, and brushing or combing your beard daily. But there are some factors that you can’t control, such as your age or genetics. If you stick with it, you should have a great looking full beard in a matter of months, using proper grooming and beard care products. Patience will be key, as will following proper grooming practices and using the right products.