Beards are supposedly signs of masculinity and virility, and there's a longstanding belief that thicker beards mean higher testosterone levels. Fortunately for many men, this is a total myth, but a sparse or patchy beard can undermine your confidence in your appearance, especially as beards are becoming a more popular style.
If you're dealing with spaces between your hairline or your mustache and your beard, you're not alone in looking for how to make your beard connect. Whether you have an empty "cupid's bow" or gap below the ends of your mustache, you can decrease their appearance and increase your confidence with a few basic changes to your beard care routine.
How To Make Your Beard Connect Naturally
Men who have patchy or sparse beards usually have them due to four primary causes:
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Genetics
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Age
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Alopecia
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Hormonal imbalances
The first, genetics, is the most common cause of thinner hair, as some men have a greater density of hair follicles than others. Whatever the cause of your gaps, commonly repeated advice about filling them in is rife with misinformation, such as the idea that shaving will increase hair growth. (Hint: It won't).
Instead, the answer to the question of how to make your beard connect usually involves a combination of patience and reducing the visibility of the bare spots.
Time
Sometimes it pays to wait. If you're just becoming a member of the bearded community, then it's possible your facial hair needs time to grow in fully. Your beard can take three to six months to fill in because each hair follicle grows at a slightly different rate. In the meantime, keep your beard and mustache groomed evenly to disguise thin spots and protect the hair with the right kinds of conditioning products.
Hairstyle
During the initial grow-out phase, a skin fade hairstyle can cover an absent or weak connection between the beard and the sideburns. Alternatively, growing your hair or sideburns longer can mitigate the appearance of those gaps. Trying to figure out how to make your beard connect may come down to using your other hair as a stylish way to hide problem areas.
Beard Shape
Your beard style also affects the obtrusiveness of thin or bald patches in your beard. Keeping your mustache long can cover gaps between it and the beard or in your cupid's bow above your lips, while a goatee eliminates the need to hide patchiness. Similarly, try the pointed chin hair and disconnected mustache of a Van Dyke or a balbo like Iron Man.
Derma Rollers or Microneedling
Some men with sparse facial hair try beard rollers or microneedling to boost hair growth. Derma rollers, or "beard rollers," are rollers with tiny stainless steel or titanium needles. These needles prick the outer layer of skin to stimulate collagen production, thereby promoting hair growth at the follicular level. Men with sensitive or irritated skin or who suffer from acne should abstain from microneedling, as it may aggravate those conditions, which would, of course, increase the appearance of patchiness!
Serums and Oils
Many new and experienced beard-wearers alike swear by growth and conditioning serums for their beards. Look for products manufactured with safe, natural ingredients. Hemp seed oil, for instance, moisturizes your beard to improve its health and appearance and may also facilitate keratin production to fill in patchy spots. It's how to make your beard connect and keep the current hair protected at the same time.
Supplements
A growing body of evidence shows that improving your overall health with nutritious food and vitamin supplements also contributes to enhanced facial hair growth. When you're trying to find out how to make your beard connect, consider natural supplements that promote beard growth that include:
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Biotin: A B-complex vitamin that improves hair, skin and nail health
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Potassium: Increases DHT levels to promote hair growth
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Vitamin A: Promotes hair follicle health
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Vitamin B5: Pantothenic acid to help rebuild damaged hair shafts
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Vitamin C: Fights the free radicals that cause brittle hair
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Zinc: Helps your body maintain a high level of testosterone.
Of course, if you're considering a natural supplement to increase your beard growth, you should contact your doctor to discuss potential side effects or drug interactions.
When To Contact a Dermatologist
If you've tried what feels like everything, but the bare patches in your beard are still driving you crazy, it might be time to reach out to a medical professional. While most thin spots are genetic in origin, sometimes you need the support of an expert to find out why your spots won't fill in.
Dandruff
Where there's hair, there's the potential for dandruff, including on your face. Seborrheic dermatitis, or dandruff, results from an overgrowth of yeast on your skin, and the subsequent scaly irritation can undermine your attempts to grow a full and luxurious beard. When over-the-counter dandruff remedies fail, visit your dermatologist for a more effective remedy and additional advice about how to make your beard connect.
Lumps or Sores
Even though it seems as if a beard should offer sufficient sun protection, skin cancer can lurk under your facial hair. A dermatologist should immediately examine a sore that doesn't heal after two months or any unfamiliar or growing lumps. Don't pick at them! Skin cancer or not, you can transfer bacteria and cause a skin infection, which certainly won't help your hair grow.
How To Make Your Beard Connect With Tools From Wild Willies
Waiting through those initial six months of beard growth can be tough, even if you have the genes for a full beard. Whether you're just surviving the early stages of hair growth or if you're concerned you'll end up with a patchy beard, learning how to make your beard connect across your face can ease some of the frustration and worries in the meantime.
We know you want a beard that displays your inner strength. That's why we offer a selection of beard growth and maintenance products designed to keep your facial hair and skin healthy and well-groomed. From supplements and serums that promote hair growth to complete grooming kits to accommodate your daily routine, we've got the gear you need for the beard you want.
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