Keep your beard healthy and nourished

Growing a beard is easier said than done and if you do not take proper care of your beard, it can become a harbinger for bacteria. Sometimes yeast and dandruff get accumulated within the beard and this can irritate the skin beneath. Keloidalis, acne caused by ingrown follicles in the beard can also become a problem if your beard is not healthy and nourished.

Let your beard grow at its own pace

Beard may take at least a month to grow, so be patient and take a chill pill. Meanwhile, try out some grooming techniques to enhance the look of your beard. If your facial hair looks uneven, brush all the hair in the same direction to get a decent look.

Wash your beard properly

Shampoo your beard regularly using an SLS-free shampoo. Use a mild moisturizer to prevent dry and brittle hair. Without proper moisture, our body is more likely to produce excess oil which can lead to acne and breakouts. Also, apply natural oils to hydrate your skin underneath the beard. Oils also help in keeping the beard soft.

Sleep well
Sleep disorders can slow down the beard growth process. People who are stressed or don’t get enough sleep face difficulty in growing their beard.

Eat well
Eating nutrient-rich food and maintaining a healthy diet will ensure that the hair follicles of the beard are properly nourished. Also, take biotin to support hair growth.

A balanced diet will provide essential nutrients to our body, ensuring that the BMI is normal. Obesity can lower testosterone levels which will ultimately affect the growth of hair. So, eat chicken and salmon to get protein, liver to get iron, nuts and chickpeas to get zinc, fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Trim your beard once in a while

Get your hands on the right tools to shape your beard and get the finest look. It can give your beard a healthier and fuller appearance, enhancing the growth process as well.

Regular exercise

Exercising every day can improve the blood flow in our body, stimulating the hair follicles to grow quickly. Low levels of testosterone can negatively affect beard growth so try weightlifting and strength exercises, which can have a significant positive effect on testosterone levels.

Common beard problems

Ingrown hair: Ingrown hair usually comes out when the hair starts growing in and looks like the hair is trapped under the skin. Sometimes they look like raised, red spots on the skin and can be irritating. Ingrown hair is usually caused by improper or aggressive hair removal. It can also occur if dead skin cells block the hair follicle opening, inducing the hair to grow sideways. To curb ingrown hair, apply a pre-shaving oil or cream before actually shaving and do not forget to shave after showering. Also, allow your facial hair to grow instead of shaving it frequently.
Itchy beard: Beard itch is a common problem when growing a beard because as the hair starts to grow, its edges scrape against the skin. This causes itching in the beard. Sometimes, poor hygienic conditions below the beard can also irritate the skin, making the skin itchy. Use natural oils to curb itchy beard and this can reduce inflammation as well. Natural oils can moisturize the skin, relieving the skin from dryness and itchiness.
Beard dandruff: Just like the scalp, the skin beneath the beard is also prone to flaking. Many factors, including stress, dry weather and yeast can induce dandruff in the beard. Avoid washing your beard with hot water as it can dry out the skin under the beard. Apply grapeseed oil to prevent dandruff as it can remove the dead skin off the face and can also provide moisture to the skin under the beard.
Beard acne: Bacteria can enter the beard hair and infect the hair follicles, leading to acne and breakouts. Improper shaving can also inflame the skin and accelerate beard acne. Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of natural oils like coconut oil, castor oil, etc they work effectively on acne in the beard. Tea tree oil can also do wonders in treating skin lesions caused by acne.
Dry skin: When the skin’s natural oil dries, it makes the skin rough and dry. Weather can also play a role in making the skin dry because cold weather can drain out moisture from the epidermis. Soaps containing chemicals also remove the natural oil of the skin, thereby causing dryness. To combat dryness, level up your moisturizing game by using castor oil, shea butter, coconut oil and peppermint oil. Also, avoid taking extremely hot showers because it can stop the skin from producing natural oils.

Take Away

A healthy and fuller beard can be achieved by changing a lot of daily habits starting from using a mild shampoo to eating proper nutrient-rich foods. Olive oil and avocado oil is best known for enhancing beard thickness. The rate at which your beard will grow depends on a lot of factors, including genetics and testosterone. DHT plays a major role in determining the growth rate and shape of your beard. Following a properly balanced diet along with regular exercise and good sleep will help in getting a healthy and nourished beard.