Most men do have the supreme level of curiosity about how long does it take to grow a beard. Frankly speaking, this is one of the most common questions that I usually hear from most of my readers.
To be honest, there is no clear-cut answer to the above question. In point of fact, so many factors are involved in determining the time it takes to grow a beard.
Since it is one of the most inquisitive topics I have come across over the past few months, so, I’ve thought of coming up with a detailed discussion regarding the issue.
For this purpose, I did in-depth research on how long to grow a beard so that you get to know about everything in detail.
And, today, I’m going to share all the findings, including what I have learned, my own experiences, along with all the things you must be aware of regarding beard growth.
At the same time, I will also share some ‘SECRET’ tips at the bottom part of this article to help you can get an idea about what to ‘FOLLOW’ and what to ‘AVOID’.
Let jump into the detailed discussion…
How Long Does It Take To Grow A Full Beard?
To put it simply, for most men, it takes around 2 to 6 months to grow a full beard. According to studies, genetics, we will be discussing in detail later, is found to be the factor that plays the most IMPORTANT role in the process of beard growth. Also, some other factors have significant impact on beard growth as well.
But, it has been found that most men can encounter a full beard growth after a period of 6 months, and for some, it may take a bit less than that.
I must let you inform the fact that several stages are involved in a beard growth process. At the initial stage, let’s say the first week of the growth process, you will see stubble on your face, and it starts to fill in gradually unless you attempt to trim it.
Some may experience this initial growth quickly, whereas it’s a bit slower for others.
The BEST thing to do in this case is to keep your hands away from your razor or trimmer. This will ensure the full-growth stage of your beard naturally. You should keep in mind that trying to trim for giving you’re a shape may delay the process of beard growth.
The final decision is up to you whether you want a slow or steady beard growth process. Or, you just want to leave everything up to the natural way.
When I did profound research on the question of how long does it take for a beard to grow, I came to know about the phases of beard growth.
Let’s have a quick look at what I’ve found on beard growth phases.
Phases Of Beard Growth
In this section, I’m going to discuss the phases of beard growth so that you can get a clear idea about the beard growth process.
Well, there are 3 phases of beard growth –
- Anagen Phase.
- Catagen Phase.
- Telogen Phase.
Let’s take have a more in-depth look at each of these beard growth phases –
1. Anagen Phase
Anagen is known as the growth phase of your hair. This phase, for androgenic hair, can last for months starting from 4 months up to a year for some cases.
In the case of your scalp hair, the anagen phase may last for a more extended period. But, for your beard or facial hair, this particular phase may end in a shorter time frame.
During the anagen phase, facial hair typically grows about half-inch in each month. The important point here to note down is that for how long the facial hair remains in this anagen phase heavily depends on genetics.
2. Catagen Phase
In this phase, not that much about your hair happens. To be more precise, during the Catagen phase, the most noticeable even that takes place is your hair strands start to separate from hair follicle. At the same time, it starts to get attached to the facial skin. At the same time, the supply of blood to the root of the hair comes to a halt.
3. Telogen Phase
For your information, a lot of events take place during the Telogen phase. In the initial stage of this phase, your facial hair starts to remain intact for the next 2 to 4 months. And, the hair follicles gradually make its way back to the anagen phase. The incoming and new hair gives a push to the existing and old hair. As a result, the old hair starts to come out of your skin, and ultimately, it causes that old hair to fall off.
Best Time For Beard Growth
The Optimal Stage
According to studies, the first phase of facial hair growth (for males) typically starts in the age range of 12 to 16 years. Probably, this is the time when most adolescents feel some small hair below the nose. And, the cheek stubble starts to be seen not much long after the first event takes place.
But, this is not the optimal stage of beard growth.
So, what is the optimal stage then?
Well, the optimal stage for beard hair growth starts from the age of 25, and it lasts up to 35 years. During this period, the testosterone level of the human body takes a rise. Simultaneously, the anagen phase of beard growth gets an extension period.
As a result, hair that takes more growth time typically gets a faster growth rate.
At the same time, this is the PERFECT time when your beard should have a faster growth rate. But, you never know, nothing is certain when it comes to the topic of beard growth.
How Long Does It Take To Grow A Short Beard?
I’ve already mentioned the fact that typically beard grows about a half-inch in each month during the anagen phase of beard growth. So, based on that data, we can say that it takes approximately 10-15 days to grow a short beard.
But, this may not happen for every man as the data indicates the growth rate applicable for most men.
How Long Does It Take To Grow A Beard After Shaving?
If you intend to keep a long beard, then I won’t recommend you to shave. Even trimming won’t be the right decision at all.
But, if you can’t resist yourself from shaving, then you can feel free to do that. In that case, you may have to wait for a few weeks, or even months to have a beard again on your face after a clean shave.
According to the research I’ve done in the past few months, I came up with the data that it takes around 4 to 6 weeks to have your beard go back to the previous length.
Typically, after a clean shave, you can feel a beard on your facial skin within 8 to 10 days. This duration, again, may vary because there are lots of factors (going to discuss later) that have a heavy impact on beard growth.
Factors Impacting Beard Growth
A lot of factors are out there that can affect the growth of your beard. Let’s get to know about what those factors are and how they can affect your beard growth.
• Genetics
By this time, you have got to know that if your grandfather has some sort of thick beard, your father may have the same type of thickness in his beard. And, consequently, you do have the chance of having a similar thick beard on your face.
On the other hand, if your grandfather and father have a thin beard, there is a chance that you may have the same beard type.
Now, this may sound a bit disappointing for you, if your grandfather or father doesn’t have the kind of beard you are expecting.
But, the good news is that genetics can’t guarantee everything. So, you don’t need to be upset, my friend. Putting it simply, your lineage can be considered as one of the many factors that determine the QUALITY and HEALTH of your beard.
• Age
Age is another IMPORTANT factor that has lots of impact on your beard growth. Generally, you will notice facial hair above your lip at the time you hit puberty. It means that when your age is between 12 and 16 years.
The above theory may be applicable for most men, but not for all. Some late bloomers may have to wait for some more years to have their first signs of facial hair.
However, the above-mentioned timeline is not the key time for facial hair growth. The ‘prime time’ for beard growth starts when you are 25 years. And it lasts up to 35 years. So, this period of 10 years is the PERFECT time for the ideal beard growth.
The main reason why the beard growth rate gets an increasing rate in the above time range is due to the rise of the testosterone level in the human body.
The downside is not every man will have this same kind of experience with their beard as they get older. Some may encounter a slower beard growth rate as well.
• Race
Your race is another vital factor that can affect your beard growth rate. To be more accurate, the race has a lot to do with your beard thickness rather than your beard growth rate.
Intending to give you a clear concept regarding this particular factor, I did a bit of study. And, here are some of the examples that can give you a better understanding of the aspect.
Caucasians usually have no issues with beard growth. In fact, they have the thickest type of beard.
On the contrary, African-Americans encounter many difficulties while growing facial hair, especially full beard (in length).
However, black men who have average beard growth can end up with having thick full beards.
In the case of Asians, having a full beard on their face seems to be a tough job for them. And, lots of reasons are underlying there for these events.
However, this is not like what always happens as there are still exceptions in any kind of example.
• Diet
Diet has got to play a very IMPORTANT role in the case of your beard growth. There are so many things to discuss in this particular regard. So I’ve planned to discuss this factor in full later in this conversation.
• Stress
Another common factor that has some sort of significant impact on your beard growth is known to be the amount of stress you are dealing with regularly. If you want to have a full beard, then I suggest you avoid any type of high-level of stress.
Never become so much obsessed thinking about the slow growth rate of your beard. Thinking more about this problem will ultimately increase the level of your stress. And, that is what I’m suggesting you avoid any type of stress.
• Sleep
Sleep, sometimes, has got a lot to do with your facial hair growth. When you see slower growth in your beard, you can sleep for 2 or 3 more hours daily. During sleep, your typical body temperature tends to drop. As a result, the blood circulation in your body gets an increase as well. And, this ultimately causes fuller hair growth in a faster way.
• Exercise
Exercise can keep you fit and help you earn the wellness you expect. And, a healthy man should have no problems while having a full beard at a normal pace.
At the same time, doing regular exercises will help to increase the testosterone level in your body. And I must let you know the fact that testosterone is known to be the hormone that plays a prominent role in growing beard on your face.
So, what types of exercise you should perform?
Well, as far as my research says, you can try push-ups, weight lifting, deadlifts, bench press, squats, and other similar exercises to keep your body fit and fine.
• Smoking
Another of the lifestyle habit that works as a negative factor for your beard growth is smoking. We all have an idea about the health hazards that may come with smoking cigarettes. And, it is evident that smoking may lead to hair loss.
So, you have such a sort of habit; please stop that right away for the sake of your beard at least.
Beard Growth Diet and Vitamins
It is a fact that there is no supplement available on earth that can replace a healthy and planned diet. It is a better idea to pick foods that can provide you the needed nutrients for your body.
You should be aware of the fact that a well-planned diet full of vitamins, protein, and minerals can play a vital role in giving support to the long-term growth of facial hair. Our hair is made of different types of proteins. So, it becomes weak and brittle when there is an absence of such micronutrient.
At the same time, top vitamins can have a massive impact on your hair growth. So, you should eat foods rich in vitamin B, vitamin D, vitamin C, iron, and zinc.
In the following, I’m sharing some foods that you can add to your diet plan and follow accordingly –
• Fish Oil
Fish oil has plenty of omega-3, along with some other vital fatty acids. And, these elements work for reducing inflammation known as a common cause for your hair loss. So, adding fish oil in your diet would be a perfect decision for increasing your beard growth.
You can try finding fish oil in salmon, tuna, white fish, hemp seeds, egg yolks, and walnuts.
• Vitamin B
Vitamin B also plays an essential role in getting healthy hair growth. So, you can add avocado, beef, eggs, nuts, legumes, chicken, and potatoes to your diet list. The mentioned food items have plenty of vitamin B complex that works significantly in growing your beard hair.
• Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a significant element that can help to increase the number of hair follicles. In this regard, you start eating mackerel, salmon, whitefish, eel, halibut, swordfish, and portabella and maitake mushrooms as well.
• Zinc
Zinc is known as a cofactor for many of the enzymes that help for nutrient absorption. It can repair the damage of the hair follicles. So, you can add more amount of zinc to your diet by putting pumpkin seeds, lamb, chickpeas, cashews, cocoa powder, mushrooms, yogurt, chicken, and spinach in your current diet plan.
• Iron
Iron is one of the main elements that produce hemoglobin in the human body. And hemoglobin is the molecule that transports oxygen to different tissues in your body. And, a sufficient amount of oxygen is needed when the main concern is beard growth. In this regard, you should add food items like spinach, beefsteak, egg yolks, swiss chard, black beans, collard greens, and navy beans to your diet plan. All of these food items have iron that required for your body.
Some Secret Tips For You
As I had promised, these are SECRET tips I have for you –
- Try to drink plenty of water every day as this will help to keep your body hydrated. And, it is necessary for having a good result in facial hair growth.
- Try to make a healthy diet plan full of proteins, fish oil, vitamins, and minerals. And, you have to follow the diet very strictly to get a significant result in your beard growth.
- Leave the habit of smoking, if you have.
- You can try any of the top-rated skin moisture to protect your skin.
Conclusion
So, you have got a detailed answer to the question regarding how long does it take to grow a beard.
Always remember that a slow growth rate of your facial hair is not a problem at all. As there are problems on earth, so are the solutions for them.
So, finding out the best solution for any problem is the wisest thing to do. And, when you find the right solution, you must have to be dedicated enough to try the solution correctly unless you overcome the problem.
This same theory is applicable when you consider beard growth as a problem.
I believe that you have got a clear idea about the time it takes for beard growth along with other important topics related to it after reading the above informative discussion.
But, as always, for any question or confusion, please give me a message or comment below.
Thank You.
