How Long Does It Take to Grow a Beard? Growth Stages, Explained

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Expert insights into the beard growth process, month by month
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Whether you just started growing out your beard or are thinking about trying it, you’re probably curious when you can expect to show off a full, thick beard. While the time it takes to grow a beard varies from person to person, there is a timeline of different stages that most people go through. With the help of professional barbers and facial hair experts, we’ll explain the general beard growth timeline and what to do during each stage to help your beard grow healthily. We’ll also provide tips on how to grow out your beard and explain what can impact growth. Read on to learn more!

A Complete Guide to the Beard Growth Stages

  • Stage 1: Give yourself a clean shave (Week 0)
  • Stage 2: Watch as stubble starts to grow (Weeks 1-4)
  • Stage 3: Notice full and patchy areas developing (Months 1-3)
  • Stage 4: Watch as the patchy areas fill in (Months 3-6)
  • Stage 5: Show off your full-grown beard (Months 6-12)
Section 1 of 7:

The Stages of Beard Growth

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  1. Start your beard-growing journey fresh by giving your face a clean shave. To get a close shave and reduce irritation, professional barber Timmy Yanchun recommends washing and exfoliating your face to “get rid of all the dead skin on the surface layer of the skin.” Then, “soften the hair” and “open your pores by applying heat.” For instance, Yanchun advises shaving after a hot shower so that your hair is fully softened.
    • After you prep your skin, Yanchun says to apply shaving cream and shave “with the grain of your hair.” He agrees that this is “the easiest way to prevent red bumps and irritation.”
    • When you’re done shaving, Yanchun advises splashing your face with cold water to close your pores.
    • What to do during this stage :
      • Keep your skin moisturized . It’s normal for your skin to feel itchy after a fresh shave and as your facial hair starts to grow back. Yanchun agrees, saying that “the most common reason for itchy skin is dry skin,” so “moisturize your skin after a shave.”
      • Treat razor bumps and irritation . It’s also common to get razor bumps after shaving your beard. Yanchun recommends applying witch hazel to your skin to help prevent and treat any irritation.
  2. 2
    Stage 2: Stubble Growth (Week 1-4) Starting around week 1, you’ll likely notice stubble starting to grow over your chin, cheeks, upper lip, and neck. Unfortunately, this also usually comes along with itchiness and some dandruff. By the end of the month, facial hair specialist Marlon Rivas says your beard typically starts to take shape and you’ll have a better idea of how it’ll grow in—you might notice more growth around your chin, cheeks, or mustache.
    • What to do during this stage :
      • Apply beard oil to keep your beard and skin moisturized . To help reduce itchiness and dandruff and keep your skin healthy, Yanchun recommends using a beard oil made with argan or jojoba oil. He advises applying it whenever your beard or skin feels dry (which might be more than once per day) and massaging the oil “from the root of the hair to the tip.”
      • Wash your beard with beard shampoo daily . If you don’t clean your beard regularly and wash out the oil, Yanchun says grime can “build up on the hair and make the hair unhealthy.” Rivas recommends washing your beard daily—just make sure to moisturize afterward.
    • Note : Everyone grows facial hair differently, so your beard growth stages might not follow this timeline exactly. Different factors affect beard growth , which we discuss in the sections below.
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  3. 3
    Stage 3: Patchy Growth (Months 1-3) During this stage, you’ll likely notice that some areas of your beard are growing in fuller than others. This is completely normal, as different areas of your face grow in hair differently and might be in different hair growth cycles . While this can be an awkward stage, keep your head up and stay patient—most people’s beards even out in the next few months. [1]
    • What to do during this stage :
      • Avoid trimming your beard . While you might want to manually even out your beard, it’s best to leave it alone during this stage to prevent slower growth. Licensed cosmetologist Mark LoBiondo agrees, saying not to get your beard “trimmed or shaped until it grows longer than you want it.”
      • Comb your beard with a boar bristle brush . Professional barber Woody Lovell recommends brushing your beard at least once daily to help “train the hair” so it grows in the direction you want. Boar bristle brushes are especially great because they help distribute oils through your beard, keeping it moisturized and healthy.
      • Keep washing and moisturizing your beard . Continue your beard care routine by washing and conditioning your beard with beard oil daily to keep it healthy and soft.
  4. 4
    Stage 4: Beard is Filling in (Months 3-6) Around months 3 through 6, you’ll typically notice the patchy areas starting to grow in and your beard getting fuller. At this stage, it’s a good idea to shape up your beard and start styling it into the look you like.
    • What to do during this stage :
      • Trim the hair around your neck . To get a well-groomed look, Rivas suggests trimming everything below your Adam’s apple. Then, “follow the jawline” to trim the rest of the neck area—he says to “just gradually go up towards the back of the [neck] where the jawline gets closer to the ear.”
      • Trim the hair around your cheeks and jaw . Use a beard trimmer to tidy up the sides of your beard to achieve the style you like (like the short boxed beard or balbo beard). Then, shorten the length as needed to get a uniform look.
      • Trim your mustache . Cut back any long hairs that are getting in the way of your mouth. Yanchun says to wash and comb your mustache first. Then, “hit it with the trimmers and scissors” to get rid of any annoying strands.
      • Shape and style your beard with beard balm . Rivas recommends using a bit of balm to smooth your beard, shape it into the style you like, and “make it look more tamed.”
      • Keep up your beard maintenance routine . As always, keep washing your beard and applying beard oil to keep it healthy and moisturized. Stick to brushing it daily with a boar bristle brush to help shape and smooth it, too.
    • If you’re not sure what beard style to choose, Yanchun suggests going to the barber and asking them “what style works for your face shape.” He says, “Don't be afraid to bring a picture of something that you like to your barber”—a good barber will tell you if the style suits you and work with you to find a more flattering look.
  5. 5
    Stage 5: Full Beard (Months 6-12) Around the 1-year mark is when most people grow out a “true” beard that’s thick, full, and about medium-length. Now, your primary goal is to simply keep your beard groomed and maintained in the style you like! [2]
    • What to do during this stage :
      • Trim your beard every 2 to 4 weeks . Whenever you notice your beard is growing unruly or losing its shape, give it a quick trim with your beard trimmers. Or, go to a barber, if you prefer. This also gets rid of any split ends, helping your beard look neater and softer.
      • Maintain your beard care . We’ve stressed this point because it’s important—make sure to keep washing, moisturizing, and brushing your beard daily. This is the best way to keep it healthy and well-groomed!
  6. 6
    Stage 6: Lengthening the Beard (1+ year) If you want to grow a long beard , it may take over a year for you to achieve the look you like. As you wait for your hair to grow longer, keep up your beard maintenance routine by washing, moisturizing, and brushing it daily and getting trims every few weeks.
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Section 2 of 7:

Stages of Beard Growth During Puberty

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  1. 1
    Stage 1: Peach Fuzz (Ages 9-15) Most boys start puberty when they’re between 9 to 15 years old. During this time, their testosterone production increases, which causes them to start growing facial hair. However, the hair they grow is typically very fine, light, and soft. [3]
  2. 2
    Stage 2: Facial Hair Growth (Ages 15-17) When boys are around 15 to 17, puberty usually ends and the peach fuzz they were growing gets replaced by darker, thicker hair. However, their facial hair, at this point is typically still pretty patchy. [4] Facial hair growth usually starts around the upper lip before it grows on the cheeks and chin. [5]
    • Remember, everybody is different—some boys start to grow facial hair at different times. For instance, some boys might be able to grow a full beard by the time they’re 17, while others may just be getting their peach fuzz. This just comes down to their genetics.
  3. 3
    Stage 3: Full Beard Growth (Ages 17-21+) As guys exit their teens and enter their 20s, their facial hair continues to grow in fuller, darker, and thicker. By the time men are in their mid-20s, they can usually grow a full, thick beard. [6]
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Section 3 of 7:

How to Grow a Full, Healthy Beard

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  1. Eating a balanced diet helps ensure your hair follicles are properly nourished, which in turn can help your beard grow stronger and healthier. Make sure you’re getting plenty of protein, healthy fats, carbs, iron, and vitamins A, D, and E. [7]
    • Some great foods to add to your diet include : chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, beans, leafy greens (spinach, kale), nuts, whole grains, and fruit.
    • According to Lovell, “vitamin B and vitamin C” can also enhance hair growth. He suggests eating foods rich in these vitamins, like fish and leafy greens, or taking supplements.
  2. 2
    Exercise daily. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, whether you walk, run, swim, or lift weights. [8] Exercise helps improve your blood flow, which keeps your hair follicles healthy and can stimulate strong growth. [9] It can also help boost testosterone production, which might help promote hair growth, too. [10]
    • Professional barber Juan Sabino agrees, saying growing a beard “has to do a lot with health.” He notes that “internal issues pop out externally,” so “if you start eating a little healthier, drinking more water, having less stress,” and “working out” you can potentially grow a stronger beard.
  3. 3
    Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Not getting enough sleep can potentially decrease hair growth, so aim to get good quality sleep each night to keep your beard healthy. [11] To help ensure you get a good night’s rest, try: [12]
    • Keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.
    • Avoid watching TV or being on your phone directly before bed.
    • Wind down before bed, like by reading, listening to calming music, or taking a bath.
    • Avoid caffeine and alcohol before going to bed.
    • Go to bed and wake up around the same time each day.
  4. 4
    Make lifestyle changes to reduce stress. General stress can also lead to decreased hair growth. [13] So, take steps to reduce stress in your life. For instance, make time for friends, pursue your hobbies, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and practice relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga. [14]
    • Substances that put stress on your body, like cigarettes, can also negatively affect hair growth. Aim to avoid smoking to help grow a healthy, full beard, too. [15]
  5. 5
    Talk to your doctor about beard growth medications. If you’ve been growing out your beard for almost a year and you’re still not seeing much progress, ask your dermatologist or primary healthcare provider if a beard growth medication, like minoxidil, might be able to help you. [16]
    • Beard implants are another potential option, says Lovell. With this procedure, a doctor takes hair follicles from another part of your body and implants them around your beard. Lovell says this is a “very expensive” procedure that can often cost over $25,000.
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Section 4 of 7:

What factors affect beard growth?

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  1. 1
    Genetics How long, full, and thick you can grow a beard usually comes down to your DNA. If your dad, uncles, and grandfathers can grow full beards, there’s a pretty good chance you can too. Your genetics also determine when you can expect to start growing a beard and where it will likely grow (like all over your cheeks, just your chin, etc.). [17]
  2. 2
    Hormone levels Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are the 2 hormones primarily responsible for facial hair growth. [18] Higher levels of these hormones are usually associated with fuller beard growth, while lower levels than average might slow facial hair growth. [19]
  3. 3
    Age How old you are can determine if you’re able to grow a beard and how full it will be. Boys start growing facial hair once they hit puberty, which is usually around ages 9 to 16. [20] As men age into their 20s and 30s, their facial hair typically starts to grow thicker and fuller. Testosterone levels usually start declining in their 40s, which can lead to slower beard growth. [21]
    • In general, hair growth starts to slow down as you age and most people experience some hair loss. The texture of your hair typically changes too, becoming thinner and lighter. [22]
  4. 4
    Race/ethnicity While all ethnicities and races can grow full beards, your ethnic background might impact how full of a beard you can grow. For instance, people with East Asian ancestry might have more difficulty growing thick beards, while people with Mediterranean ancestry often grow full, bushy beards. [23]
  5. 5
    Diet Your body needs the right balance of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to grow strong, healthy hair. If you’re not getting enough protein, healthy fats, carbs, iron, and certain vitamins, you might experience difficulty growing a full beard. [24]
  6. 6
    Stress When you’re stressed, you produce the hormone cortisol. Recent studies have demonstrated that increased cortisol levels can slow down hair growth or even lead to hair loss. [25]
  7. 7
    Certain medical conditions If you have trouble filling in your beard or notice hair loss, a medical condition could be the cause. For instance, alopecia areata is a relatively common autoimmune disease that causes your hair to fall out in round patches. [26]
    • If you’re having trouble growing a beard and think a medical condition may be the cause, visit your doctor to talk about your symptoms. They’ll be able to diagnose your issues and come up with a treatment plan.
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Section 5 of 7:

How long does it take a beard to grow?

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  1. How long it takes to grow facial hair varies from person to person, as genetics play a large part in beard growth. However, it typically takes someone 3 to 6 months to grow a beard—most people grow ½ inch of hair per month (or 0.3-0.5 mm per day). [27]
    EXPERT TIP

    Marlon Rivas

    Facial Hair Specialist
    Marlon Rivas is a Barber and Owner of MGX Professional Men's Grooming, a barbershop based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is also the founder of Busystyle.com, a service that provides online scheduling services to businesses in the barbering and beauty industry. Marlon has over 15 years of experience in managing and providing barber services.
    Marlon Rivas
    Facial Hair Specialist

    Let your hair grow for at least 1 month to see how your beard develops. Hair typically grows in a 4-week cycle, so it’s completely normal to have patchy stubble in the first few weeks. Try not to get discouraged and stay patient.

Section 6 of 7:

Hair Growth Phases

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  1. Each individual hair follicle is constantly cycling through 4 phases of growth. When the cycle completes, it simply starts over again. The 4 phases are: [28]
    • Anagen : Also called the growth phase, this is when your hair is actively growing. This phase can last between 2 to 8 years.
    • Catagen : Also called the transition or regression phase, this is when the hair follicle shrinks and the hair loses its blood supply. This phase usually lasts 2 weeks.
    • Telogen : Also called the rest phase, this is when the follicle “rests” and a new strand of hair starts to grow. This phase can last 2 to 3 months.
    • Exogen : Also called the shedding phase, this is when the new hair pushes the old hair out of the follicle, causing it to fall out.
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Section 7 of 7:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. 1
    When does beard growth peak? Most people’s beards continue to grow fuller and thicker into their 30s and 40s. Around this time is usually when men’s testosterone levels start to decline, so their 30s may be their period of peak beard growth. [29] However, many people continue to grow thick, full beards into their 50s, 60s, and 70s.
  2. 2
    At what age can you grow a thick beard? Most people start to grow full beards in their early to mid-20s. Their beard usually continues to thicken and grow into their 30s and 40s. [30]
  3. 3
    Is 30 too late to grow a beard? No, 30 is not too late to grow a beard. In fact, for a lot of people, their 30s are when their beards start to grow thicker and fill in. Remember, most people’s facial hair continues to fill in and thicken as they age.
    • If you’re growing your beard and it’s still a little patchy, try to remain patient. It’s very possible that your hair will grow and fill in as you get older. In the meantime, take good care of your beard to keep it healthy and looking tidy.
  4. 4
    Do beards get thicker with age? Yes, most people’s beards get thicker as they age. This usually happens around their late 20s and 30s, which is when testosterone levels are typically at their highest. [31]
  5. 5
    What is the 3-month beard rule? The 3-month beard rule is general advice to allow your beard to grow for at least 3 months, as this is when you usually start to see your beard filling in. Many people get discouraged in the first few weeks of beard growth when they don’t see a lot of progress. So, this rule encourages you to continue to grow out your beard before you decide to go clean-shaven again.
  6. 6
    Does shaving help beard growth? There’s no evidence that shaving your beard will help it grow thicker, fuller, or longer. This myth stems from the fact that shaving your hair often causes the cut end to appear wider and darker. However, trimming your facial hair does nothing to change the way your hair grows. [32]
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      • Ultimately, Sabino says “Healthy hair comes from healthy skin follicles.” So, he suggests that you “really pay attention to skincare” and make sure that “your skin is clean,” you “moisturize,” and “that your beard hair is conditioned.”
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      • Yanchun agrees, saying beard care really just comes down to “washing it, conditioning it, and moisturizing it.”
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      References

      1. ↑ https://daytonacollege.edu/blog/maintaining-and-growing-a-healthy-beard/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/F2As5-pDJ_E?feature=shared&t=38
      3. ↑ https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/advise-me/is-my-child-ready-to-start-shaving
      4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/puberty
      5. ↑ https://dcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/Boys-and-their-bodies.pdf
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/AbbbL5GGqbM?feature=shared&t=200
      7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/get-radiant-hair-skin-and-nails-naturally
      8. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/exercise/faq-20057916
      9. ↑ https://www.livescience.com/does-exercise-affect-hair-growth
      1. ↑ https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/fitness/quick-dose-can-physicial-activity-affect-testosterone
      2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cant-grow-a-full-beard-theres-an-explanation-for-that
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379
      4. ↑ https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-stress-causes-hair-loss
      5. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relievers/art-20047257
      6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cant-grow-a-full-beard-theres-an-explanation-for-that
      7. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/diy-treatment-common-beard-problems
      8. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cant-grow-a-full-beard-theres-an-explanation-for-that
      9. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9917549/
      10. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cant-grow-a-full-beard-theres-an-explanation-for-that
      11. ↑ https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/what-can-i-do-safely-grow-facial-hair
      12. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/testosterone_aging_and_the_mind
      13. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004005.htm
      14. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cant-grow-a-full-beard-theres-an-explanation-for-that
      15. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cant-grow-a-full-beard-theres-an-explanation-for-that
      16. ↑ https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-stress-causes-hair-loss
      17. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cant-grow-a-full-beard-theres-an-explanation-for-that
      18. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/when-should-you-start-growing-a-winter-beard
      19. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9917549/
      20. ↑ https://nashvillehairdoctor.com/services/beard-transplant/growth-stages/
      21. ↑ https://nashvillehairdoctor.com/services/beard-transplant/growth-stages/
      22. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/testosterone_aging_and_the_mind
      23. ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-if-you-shave-or-wax-your-hair-will-come-back-thicker/

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