Growing up, boys want nothing more than to grow a beard as soon as possible, it is the first of masculinity for them. They patiently wait for the day they will grow a full, thick beard but their expectations turn to dust the moment they face their worst nightmare; a thin, patchy beard.
Genes, aging, and testosterone levels along with styling techniques can cause your beard to grow thin. Diet and stress can also be contributing factors. You can try to grow out your beard, and find a good hair care routine and a proper diet to combat this issue.
In this article, we will go over the reasons your beard is thin followed by solutions and different beard styles, ranging from goatees to 5 O’clock shadows!
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Reasons Behind a Thin Beard
If your beard hair is not as luscious as you desire and you are confused about why that is, well here are the reasons to quench your thirst on this topic:
Genetics
When it comes to hair, whether it is your scalp hair or facial hair, it all pans down to your genetics. Your genetic code controls all aspects of your hair, its color, length, thickness, and density.
Some people are biologically blessed with a large number of hair follicles that grow thick and bushy beards, brows, mustaches, etc. Other less fortunate people do not have this blessing, but this is nothing to mull over and be sad about.
There are many ways you can style your beard and with the proper beard care routine and products, you can put even David Beckham’s beard to shame!
Time
Age is also a notable factor when it comes to beard growth. A well-known fact is that many teenage boys that struggle with patchy facial hair grow up to have a full beard mane that nobody saw coming.
Grooming
Sometimes you may not realize it, but the reason your beard hair is not thickening over time is probably that you are either not using the right products or not using any products at all. Find beard care and grooming products that best suit it and facilitate the growth of thick and full hair.
Styling
If your beard is not growing the way you want it to then it can be a gateway to frustration which can cause you to aggressively style the by over-combing it or using one too many products. Such an approach can weaken your hair follicles and even pull them out.
Some barbers even include people who have habits of playing with their beards when they are nervous in this category. Hence, avoid being so harsh on your beard.
Diet
What you do and don’t eat can also be a factor when it comes to facial hair. Many nutrients and vitamins boost the growth of healthy and youthful hair such as Vitamin A, K2, and E along with zinc, magnesium, and calcium.
They help in the production of carotene and collagen in hair follicles and if your diet does not consist of foods rich in these vitamins then your hair shaft will not get the nutrients it needs to grow the beard of your dreams.
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Testosterone Levels
One of the more serious factors for a thin, patchy beard is testosterone levels. As you age, there is a decline in the production of testosterone which contributes to less facial hair growth.
But this is a more severe factor and if you believe this might be the cause for your beard thinness then contact your doctor immediately.
Alopecia
Another reason, for which you should seek out a medical professional as soon as possible is alopecia. It is a medical condition in which hair falls out in patches or there is no hair growth at all.
Alopecia can affect not only the hair on your head and chest but also on your face i.e., your beard. It is an alarming situation and you should not wait before seeking out professional help.
Solutions For a Thin Beard
Now that you know the reasons why your beard is thin you must be looking for solutions for it as well. Well, your wish is our command! We have compiled a list of tips you can follow to achieve your ideal beard look.
Grow It Out
A long beard can make up for thin hairs and give it a look of fullness so it is better to first try to grow it out. The initial weeks will be itchy as the patchy areas are filling up but you will have to endure it.
Invest in a nice beard cleanser and oil to moisturize your skin and hair follicles so that you do not experience dryness and flaking. With the help of these products, it will be easier to endure the process of growing a beard.
If you are wondering how long you need to grow out your beard then the answer is for more than four weeks. At approximately four weeks, the beard hairs will begin to connect and the gaps will start to fill up. This is a quite common phenomenon so have patience, it will be worth it!
Proper Beard Care Routine
A thick, luscious beard is not just going to grow on its own, you need to give it a little push, and what better way than to do it by properly tending to it daily. This would include washing, grooming, and styling to make sure your beard is healthy.
The best time to start doing this is from about week 1 or 2. Use a good beard wash that has the right amount of nutrients instead of soaps or other face washes. This will exfoliate your pores and clean up any gunk that is hiding in your dermal layer.
Dry facial hair loses protein which leads to brittleness and split ends. Hence, another product to invest in is beard oil because such oils will prevent itching, and dryness and also provide strength to your hair follicles by coating them.
To evenly distribute the said oil in your beard, use a boar bristle beard brush. It does the job and also in the process tames your hair by gently brushing out any dirt and flakes.
This step will ensure that your whiskers are well protected but also, a groomed and tamed beard looks a lot heavier and thicker than an unkempt one.
Moisturize
As mentioned above, dry hair causes split ends and brittleness. So, what better way to combat that than to moisturize not only your hair but also your skin. After all, a good base will lead to a good beard.
Eat Well
A proper diet routine that consists of food rich in all the nutrients and vitamins vital for hair growth is important. You can search for food that is proven to promote beard hair growth in men and incorporate them into your daily routine.
Exercise
If from this article you were able to pinpoint your beard being thin due to your testosterone levels then a solution for that is to exercise. This will boost your heart rate which in turn will boost your testosterone levels.
Not only that but physical exertion increases blood flow along with the circulation of oxygen and various nutrients to skin and hair follicles for better hair growth. Hence, making exercise a part of your routine is a smart choice.
Avoid Stressful Situations
This may come off as a surprising tip for you but stress can also be a hindrance to hair growth. The scientific explanation for this is that stress stimulates the production of cortisol, a primary stress hormone, which has an impact on testosterone levels.
Try to find activities and hobbies that make you feel at peace and lessen your stress. This tip will not only help you in
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
Some solutions can help you instantly but they all have their setbacks so do proper research before choosing any of them!
- Dye: Darker hair indeed gives the illusion of a thick beard. But dyeing can be a tiring process and it can also strip your beard of its natural color and make it lighter over time.
- Beard implants: These are highly expensive and risky hair transplant surgeries so make sure you are aware of what you’re getting yourself into.
- Hormone therapy: These can be effective and do the job but have medical side effects so beware.
Styles That Suit Thin Beard
Finding a beard style that suits your face and contributes to your appearance is really important. If you have a full mane of a beard then there are a lot of options for you to try when it comes to styling, but if you have a thin beard these options may be limited but there are still a few to choose from.
- Goatee
- Van Dyke
- Chin strap
- Anchor beard
Conclusion
Facing problems related to your beard can be a gateway to feeling insecure because facial hair is related to a person’s appearance. Having a thin beard is not something to be sad over especially when you have all these solutions.
We hope this guide provided you with answers about why your beard is thinning and what measures you can take to avoid that.
Meet Mo Parker, the visionary founder of The Beard Brotherz. Mo's passion for redefining modern masculinity led him to create a platform that celebrates the diverse interests and journeys of men today. With a commitment to authenticity and inclusivity, Mo's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication shine through every facet of The Beard Brotherz. From grooming and fashion to tech and wellness, Mo's multifaceted approach mirrors the platform's essence, offering a welcoming community for all to embrace their unique paths in the modern world of manhood.