Growing facial hair isn't always easy. Though many men look for magical formulas or lifestyle tricks, a lot comes down to luck. There are a few things you can do to improve your chances, however. Whether you're just growing your first beard or you're a veteran lumberjack looking for ways to maximize your facial hair's performance, here's a basic guide to getting the best beard growth possible from what you've got to work with.
Getting the Best Beard Growth for You
If you haven't grown your facial hair before or are still too young to reap the benefits of a full mane of hair, the first thing you need to realize is that every man is different. Some men can grow little more than stubble while others remain babyfaced for life. Others still seem to produce enough hair each month to donate wigs to the bald. No matter what you do, there is always a limit to how much you can grow. Still, you almost certainly have some flex room when it comes to thickening and lengthening.
Realizing Whether Your Goals Are Feasible
Some portion of growth simply comes down to genetics. Be careful, though. While race can be an indicator of how likely you are to grow facial hair, there are always exceptions. More important is your parentage. Individuals of East Asian, Native American, or another ethnic background not known for having robust beards can still have a good chance for an impressive face mane, provided their grandparents each carried the proper genes — think Punnett squares in high school biology.
If your dad and grandfather both had to shave, you have a good shot. As well, if you're under 30, your hair can still increase in thickness and volume. Now, to increase your chances, you should think about your lifestyle.
Eating a Proper Diet
To do everything it needs to, your body needs nutrition. Because it can only work with what you give it, you need to make sure you eat foods that translate to real growth. Generally, foods that are healthy for the rest of your body are good for your beard. These include:
- Eggs and other full protein sources
- Nuts with healthy fats, including avocados
- Leafy greens, like spinach
- Low mercury, high omega-3 fish
- Whole grains
- Sweet potatoes and carrots
Essentially, proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats are the most powerful agents for hair and skin growth. Carotenoids, such as those found in sweet potatoes, are specifically known to influence the texture and color of the body's external cells.
Eating healthy isn't always cheap or easy, but it pays off big time in how you look and feel. After altering your diet for the better, you may notice yourself naturally losing fat or putting on muscle without doing any additional work. You may also feel like you have more energy to get things done. The benefits for your best beard growth are just icing on the cake.
Boosting Your Testosterone
Although there are many hormones involved in the growth of facial hair, testosterone is the most significant. This makes perfect sense, since it's also responsible for many of the other traits that differentiate men from women.
There are many ways to boost testosterone. Some of these are healthy and natural while others are downright dangerous. As a disclaimer, you should never attempt to increase your hormones without the oversight of a medical professional. Not only is this harmful, but it can cause all kinds of unpleasant symptoms, like premature balding or mood swings. Instead, let your doctor know that you intend to boost your hormones naturally. The best way to do this is to lift heavy weights and eat a diet rich in healthy fats. Also, try to minimize simple carbs and give yourself enough rest at night.
Supplementing Properly
While diet and exercise are a sort of "shotgun" approach to growing your beard, supplements provide more targeted support. Appropriate supplements can provide exactly what your body needs to produce more hairs faster than it otherwise would. Although many companies make facial hair supplements, few use actual science to pick the right ingredients. At Wild Willies, we think we've nailed it. Our formula contains the best beard growth ingredients known to modern science, like:
Biotin
Biotin is perhaps the most well-researched ingredient in the science of hair growth. It helps to create and maintain keratin, an important compound in skin, hair, and fingernails.
Methylsulfonylmethane
This near-unpronounceable compound is as complicated as it sounds. It's produced by the body but can be absorbed as a dietary supplement. Among the many functions it may have, it likely plays a key role in creating new cell walls.
Inositol
Amino acids are among the most essential compounds in the natural world. Inositol helps the body to metabolize and store them. Because any supplement is useless unless your body can turn it into functional compounds, this is incredibly important.
Nourishing From the Outside
If you're really looking to get the most out of your beard, you need to work from the inside and outside. Supplements are great, but your hair can also absorb nutrients that you apply topically. Since ingredients like caffeine absorb well through the skin and hair, they can strengthen both while dampening itchiness and discomfort at the same time. Oils and balms have the added benefit of making your beard smell and look great, so there's nothing to lose by using them. If you're skeptical, try rubbing a growth oil onto the cheeks for a couple of months and see if you like the results.
Shopping for the Best Beard Growth Products
Growth is a journey, so don't be afraid to hit a few road bumps on the way. As with everything, getting the right formula for your own personal best beard growth is likely to take a little time. It might not be easy to change your lifestyle for a healthier look and a better life, but it's guaranteed to be worthwhile in the end. For targeted support to help you on your manly odyssey, visit Wild Willies' online store today.
