“How can I grow a thicker beard?”
It’s a question as old as time itself. Achieving thicker, more luscious beard growth is the holy grail for facial hair fanatics and beard enthusiasts around the world.
But sometimes it can feel impossible to transform those patchy bristles into a majestic, bushy beard.
Fear not.
If you’re currently on the eternal quest for a fuller beard, we can help. We’re about to explain how you can stimulate healthy beard growth and attain your desired thickness with proven techniques and expert tips.
What makes a beard seem thick?
Before we explain how you can grow a thicker beard, let’s take a quick look at the key elements that make a beard appear healthy and full-bodied.
- Thickness of strand: A larger hair follicle will produce a thicker beard bristle. The bigger your hair follicles, the fuller your beard will appear. The size of hair follicles varies from person to person, so this is a bit of a genetic lottery.
- Number of strands: More hairs in a specific area of your face will lead to a thicker, heavier beard. Makes sense, right? Once again, the density of hair will vary significantly between beard growers.
- Colour: Generally speaking, the darker your beard hair, the thicker the strands usually are. However, blondes also tend to have a higher beard density. But there are no hard and fast rules here though - every face is different.
What could be holding your beard growth back?
Growing a thicker beard isn’t always smooth sailing. So what are the main factors that often contribute to slow growth, patchy beards, and weak whiskers?
- Age: We all experience hair loss and slowed growth as we get older - but this doesn’t just apply to your head. Facial hair growth is also gradually stunted over time. This works both ways though - you could also be too young. While most men can grow a full beard by their early 20s, some need to wait until their late 20s.
- Testosterone: Testosterone is a crucial hormone for beard growth and thickness. If you have low levels of testosterone, you’ll likely struggle to achieve fast growth.
- DHT: DHT is another key human hair growth hormone which defines beard density. Once again, low levels of DHT will usually cause some issues for aspiring beard growers.
- Alopecia: Certain types of alopecia can cause beard hair loss and slowed growth. Luckily, there are treatments available for those suffering from this condition.
15 ways to grow a thicker beard
There are plenty of factors that contribute to beard thickness, and many of them can be tricky to control - for example, hair density, beard colour, and hormone levels.
But don’t lose hope, bearded brethren.
This doesn’t mean that a glorious beard is out of reach. By applying a few tried & tested strategies, you can give your bristles the boost they need to thrive on your handsome face.
It’s time to explore some of the proven methods that can help you to stimulate thick beard growth and achieve your dream facial hair.
1. Be patient with beard growth
We have a little saying here at Mission Beard - patience is a virtue.
(OK, maybe we pinched that one. But the point still stands.)
A thick beard doesn’t appear overnight and you need to be the right age too, so give those precious hair follicles time to work their magic. If you follow all of the advice in this guide, you’ll be giving your beard the best chance of flourishing, so just have faith in the process.
2. Don’t shave
Time to debunk a popular myth in the beard community.
Shaving your beard won’t make your hair grow back thicker, and will not improve hair density. That’s right - you’ve been sold a lie.
The density of your hair follicles is determined by natural factors like age and hormone levels. By shaving, you’re just removing the thinner tips of hair strands and leaving the darker hair at the base, which gives the illusion of fullness rather than genuinely improved thickness.
Leave those beautiful bristles to develop naturally over time, and if you need to make any adjustments, trim carefully rather than going for a full-blown shave.
3. Eat a nutrient-rich diet
The food you put into your body has a direct impact on the thickness of your beard. Strap in, because we’re about to hit you with some beard-based science.
Studies suggest that there is a direct correlation between obesity and low testosterone. The less testosterone you’re producing, the slower your beard growth will be. The reverse can also be true - low testosterone levels can also contribute to obesity.
That’s why it’s important to pack your diet with healthy foods that can improve testosterone production and provide your body with the building blocks it needs to stimulate hair growth.
Good examples of beard-boosting foods include chicken and salmon (which offer lean protein), nuts and chickpeas (which offer nutrients like zinc) and fruits and vegetables (that deliver a range of vitamins that promote beard growth.)
4. Hit the weight room
Exercise (and particularly weightlifting) is a fantastic way to increase testosterone levels and improve blood flow - two things that are superb for beard growth.
Try and set up a consistent exercise routine that’s both physically challenging and easy to stick to. Healthy body, healthy beard.
As we’ve already mentioned, you should also make sure that you’re fuelling your exercise regime with a well rounded diet and protein-rich foods. Sufficient protein intake is directly linked to testosterone production, so make sure that your menu is on point.
5. Stay properly hydrated
We’ve all been lectured on hydration before, and most of us still find the idea of chugging 3 litres of water a day pretty intimidating.
But did you know that hydration is also a major factor in beard growth?
Let’s break it down.
Beard hair grows from hair follicles on your skin. Your skin needs regular hydration to stay healthy. Therefore, hydration equals superior beard growth.
If a hair follicle on your face is happy and healthy, it’s more likely to produce luscious bristles that contribute to a magnificent full beard. If you hydrate properly, you may even find that your beard hairs feel softer and look shinier.
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