The obvious answer to the question, "How do I grow a beard?" is to simply stop shaving, but the process can be more complicated than that. Follow my three easy tips for growing out your facial hair.
1. Determine If You Can
Stop shaving for a few weeks. During this time, you should not attempt to shave or shape your facial hair, so you may end up looking a bit rough during the process. The best time to do this will be during a vacation or at a time when work does not require you to look too neat.
After two or three weeks, you will be able look at the growth and determine if you have adequate coverage to grow facial hair and what shaping options are available to you. If you do not have enough coverage for a full beard, a goatee, chin strap, or soul patch may be an option.
2. Hang In There
During the growing out period, you will look poorly groomed and will likely experience some itching. Keep in mind that if you want to grow a beard, this will be part of the process you will simply have to endure. To minimize itching, use a gentle shampoo and conditioner. A moisturizing lotion will also help reduce itching. To maintain a more groomed look, make sure to keep the neck shaved clean.
2. Shape and Maintain
Once you've grown your facial hair for about a month, you should seek the assistance of a professional barber who can show you how to trim and shape your beard. You will need to invest in a good beard trimmer with variable length settings for home maintenance.
Growing a beard is not for all men. Some men just don't have the density of facial hair for a beard to look good. The growing out process can be itchy and a bit frustrating, but if you hang in there you may find yourself with a great new look. Once you've grown out your facial fuzz, follow my advice for caring for your beard.
