How to Grow Your Beard Faster & Naturally

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Plus, learn which genetic & lifestyle factors affect beard growth
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If you're eager to grow a glorious beard, it's hard to accept that it simply takes time. Some people may be able to grow a full beard within a couple of months, while others may struggle to grow a beard at all. While your genetic profile is the main factor in how fast your beard will grow, there are a few things you can do to try to speed up the process. For this article, we interviewed barbers Juan Sabino and Marlon Rivas to teach you all the best ways to encourage beard growth. Plus, learn what factors influence beard growth and how fast beards grow in general, and get answers to common questions about growing beards.

Can you make facial hair grow faster?

While you can’t increase the rate at which your hair grows, you can stimulate beard growth by washing and exfoliating your skin and living a healthy lifestyle. Eating well, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can boost your overall health, which in turn may encourage your facial hair to grow.

Section 1 of 7:

Stimulating Beard Growth

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  1. If you want your beard to grow faster, Rivas recommends that you “let the beard grow for a couple of weeks on its own.” [1] Your genetic profile is the primary factor in how quickly (and how fully) your beard grows, and there’s not much you can do about that. On average, though, most people will see their facial hair fully grow in after 4 weeks of not shaving. While you can take measures to support the process and increase the growth, accept that your beard will grow in its own way and at its own pace. [2]
    • Some people say that regularly trimming your beard will stimulate faster growth, but there’s no evidence to support this.
    • It’s possible that frequent shaving before you start growing a beard may stimulate the hair follicles to grow faster, but the evidence for this is also limited at best. [3]
    • So, once you start growing a beard, just let it grow!
  2. To grow a healthy beard, Sabino emphasizes, “you have to really pay attention to skincare. You have to moisturize, you have to make sure your skin is clean, [and] you have to make sure that your beard is conditioned.” [4] Exfoliate your entire face and beard 1-3 times a week to open your pores and reduce ingrown hairs. Use a leave-in conditioner for beards to keep the hair soft and moisturized and to eliminate beard dandruff. Experiment with different beard oils , creams, and lotions to see what works best for your beard and skin type.
    • Wash your face twice a day by wetting your face with warm water and then massaging in a gentle face cleanser. Use a mild shampoo on your facial hair, then rinse everything away with cool water and pat your face dry with a soft towel.
    • Avoid beard oil if you have acne, as it may worsen your breakouts. [5]
    • If possible, choose a beard product that contains eucalyptus . There’s some evidence that it may actually help stimulate hair growth.
    • If you don’t have an exfoliant , Sabino explains how you can make your own: “Sometimes you can mix some olive oil or coconut oil with some brown sugar… and you can use that as a pre-face wash to soften up the hair and also get rid of some of that dead skin.” [6]

    Tip: Regular facial massages may help to stimulate the hair follicles and encourage faster beard growth. And it definitely feels good!

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  3. Sabino says that “there’s a direct correlation between skin and hair and your inside health,” so it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet. [7] Vitamins A, B, C, and E all support hair health in some fashion, so make sure you get plenty of them in your diet. Additionally, focus on eating foods that provide a wide variety of nutrients, and cut back on processed foods, excess salt and sugar, and unhealthy fats. [8]
    • Get vitamins B3 and B5 from chicken, beef, fish, dairy, and avocados. Cereal, nuts, and leafy greens contain vitamin B9.
    • Biotin (vitamin B7) seems particularly beneficial, so you may want to consult your doctor about taking a biotin supplement as well. [9]
    • Eat carrots, broccoli, and leafy greens to absorb more vitamin A , and choose green peppers, tomatoes, and citrus for vitamin C.
    • Pick beans, nuts, and leafy greens for vitamin E.
  4. 4
    Stay hydrated to increase blood flow to your hair follicles. Drinking water hydrates your hair, increases blood flow to the follicles, and ensures the follicles receive adequate moisture and nutrients. Your hair is actually 1/4 water, so it can’t grow properly if you aren’t staying hydrated . Most people need 4-6 cups (0.9-1.4 L) of plain water each day, but you may need more depending on your lifestyle. [10]
    • Dehydration makes your hair dry, brittle, and prone to split ends. Your hair may shed or break off more often, and it will take longer to grow.
    • Additionally, try to cut back on alcohol if you want to grow your beard quickly. Alcohol can lead to dehydration and increase your cortisol levels.
  5. 5
    Try a beard-boosting supplement. Many supplements specifically target beard growth, like biotin (vitamin B7). If you can’t get enough of these vitamins in your diet, consider taking a supplement or multivitamin with zinc and iron. Some evidence also suggests that vitamin D can activate dormant hair follicles. [11]
    • Keep in mind that many of these supplements and creams that promise fuller beards don’t have much scientific credibility. Make sure to do your research beforehand so you don’t waste your money on something unlikely to work.
    • If you can’t grow a beard because of genetics, supplements likely won’t work, and a daily vitamin will contain similar ingredients and be cheaper.
  6. Exercise improves blood flow, which helps stimulate hair follicle growth, and boosts testosterone, so working out regularly may help your beard grow faster. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and do two or three 30 to 60-minute strength training sessions per week. Try varying the workouts you do and the time of day you do them, as testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day. [12]
    • Moderate intensity means your heart rate is elevated and you’re breathing hard enough that it’s tough to make conversation.
  7. 7
    Get an adequate amount of sleep every night. Not only does a good night’s sleep improve your overall health, but it can promote beard growth, too. Most of the testosterone in your system is released while you sleep, so if you don’t get enough sleep, you may have lower testosterone levels which can negatively impact beard growth. Aim to get 7-9 hours of good sleep each night. [13]
  8. You’ve probably heard that excessive stress can cause hair loss. It shouldn’t be surprising, then, that it might also slow down hair growth. That means the less you worry about your beard, the better it might grow! Find a stress reduction technique that works best for you. Try things like yoga , meditation , deep breathing, progressive muscle reaction , or going on a nature walk. [14]
    • Other stress relief techniques include listening to calming music, talking to friends, or reading a good book.
    • Work with your doctor and a mental health professional if you're having significant difficulty handling stress.
  9. While there’s no direct evidence that smoking is specifically bad for beard health, it negatively affects many aspects of your overall health, so it’s not unreasonable to think that it might hinder beard growth. Whether you're trying to grow a beard or not, focus on quitting as soon as possible. [15]
    • There are numerous smoking cessation aids available today. Work with your doctor to find the right method (or combination of methods) for you.
    • There is some evidence that smoking may cause your beard hair to turn gray faster.
  10. 10
    Try Ayurvedic medicine for a holistic approach. Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that originated in India and uses a holistic approach to health. While there is no specific evidence that Ayurvedic medicine helps beard growth, some studies have shown that the alkaloids found in the bacopa herb may help boost proteins that are a part of hair growth. Another study suggests the antioxidants in gooseberries may promote hair growth, but more research is needed. [16]
  11. As with most home remedies, the supporting evidence for beard stimulators is limited at best. They aren’t likely to cause any harm, though, so consider trying one or both of the following:
    • Create a thin paste out of 2 US tbsp (30 ml) of fresh-squeezed lemon juice and 1 US tsp (2.5 g) of ground cinnamon. Apply it to your beard in a thin layer, leave it for 20-30 minutes, then rinse it away and use your normal face cleanser. Use this paste weekly, but stop if you notice any irritation. [17]
    • Blend 3 US tbsp (45 g) of dried mustard leaves with 2  fl oz (59 ml) of amla oil until it forms a smooth paste. Apply it in a thin layer over your beard, leave it for 15-20 minutes, then rinse it away and wash your face with your normal cleanser. Refrigerate any remaining paste and use it daily for 2-3 days.
    • To make your own beard oil, Sabino recommends using jojoba oil: “That is the closest oil that replicates the oil from our skin, so it goes in and out very smoothly from your pores… Get some vitamin E oil on there, as that’s really good for your face.” [18]
  12. If none of the home remedies for beard growth seem to work, talk to your doctor about your medical options. Ask your doctor about using minoxidil (Rogaine) on your face to stimulate beard growth, or see if your testosterone or DHT levels are to blame. Your doctor may be able to prescribe testosterone medication you can take that might improve beard growth. They may also recommend micro-needling to stimulate the hair follicles or a hair transplant as a last resort. [19]
    • While minoxidil is available over the counter, always consult your doctor before using it on your face. Be aware, too, that new hair growth may fall out if and when you stop treatment.
    • Micro-needling involves rolling hundreds of tiny needle points over your face. If used correctly, the process should be safe and relatively painless. [20]
    • Hair transplants may be your only option if there are areas of your beard that simply won’t grow in. Individual hair follicles will be relocated from one area (like the back of the neck) to your beard. Hair transplants are both costly and time-consuming, and it may take up to 2 years to see full results. [21]
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Section 2 of 7:

Factors That Affect Beard Growth

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  1. 1
    Genetics The main factor that affects beard growth is your genetics. Your hair follicle growth is built into your genes, so if your parents or grandparents had difficulty growing a beard, you likely will, too. You may also have genetic conditions that damage follicles, cause buildup in your pores, or lower testosterone levels, all of which affect how quickly your facial hair grows. [22]
  2. 2
    Age Your age may affect how quickly and how fully you can grow a beard. Men usually start growing facial hair between ages 12-16, but the prime age for growing a beard is typically between 25-35. This is the age range when testosterone levels are rising and the growth phase is the longest. After this timeframe, testosterone levels start declining, which may affect beard growth. [23]
  3. 3
    Testosterone and hormone levels Hormones like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) regulate and stimulate facial hair growth. In most cases, higher levels of testosterone and DHT promote faster and thicker levels of beard growth. Having lower levels may slow or negatively impact beard growth. [24]
    • Many men can naturally increase their testosterone levels by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If your testosterone levels are very low, however, see a doctor for advice and treatment.
  4. 4
    Stress Stress upsets the growth cycle of your facial hair and can force follicles to go into a dormant phase, which stops the production of new strands and makes it more difficult to grow a beard. If your stress is prominent and goes unmanaged for a long period of time, it may even lead to hair loss. [25]
    • This is why it’s important to practice stress-relieving techniques. To manage stress, try reducing your screen time, practicing meditation, and exercising regularly.
  5. 5
    Skin conditions In rare cases, certain skin conditions may affect how well you can grow a beard. Some conditions, like alopecia, cause balding or hair loss. [26] Thin or slow-growing hair can also be caused by hypothyroidism (though this is more common in women over 50) or as a result of an iron deficiency or anemia.
    • Even if you don’t have a skin condition, how you treat your skin can still affect beard growth. Keep your skin clean, moisturized, and exfoliated to keep the hair follicles healthy.
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Section 3 of 7:

How long does it take to grow a beard?

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  1. Growing a full beard typically takes between 2 to 6 months. Everyone grows facial hair at a different pace, but in general, it takes anywhere from 2 to 6 months to grow a full beard. Beard hair typically grows at a rate of 0.3-0.5 mm per day, which is about a half inch per month. Here are the general stages you can expect when growing a beard: [27]
    • Week 1: Start with a close shave to stimulate your hair follicles and prep your skin for upcoming growth.
    • Week 2-3: Stubble will begin to form above your lip, on your jawline, and on your sideburns. Start applying beard oil to keep your skin and hair hydrated.
    • Week 4-8: Your beard may start to look patchy , as different areas of your beard grow at different rates. Be patient and resist the urge to shave.
    • Month 2-3: At this point, you’ll likely have a short beard. Consider visiting a barber to shape your beard so that it flatters your face and hair type.
    • Month 4+: You’ll likely have a long, full beard. Remember to practice daily maintenance to keep your beard looking and feeling great.
    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

    Don’t get discouraged while growing your beard. Hair grows in various stages, and it’s a four-week cycle for hair growth. Some hairs grow back immediately after a clean shave and some grow in within a week, so you’ll notice some patchy spots. Those will fill in in about two weeks.

Section 4 of 7:

Can everyone grow a beard?

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  1. Realistically, everyone can’t grow a beard . Many factors influence facial hair growth, but a key component is genetics. Your genetics can affect the number of androgen receptors (proteins that promote hair growth) on your face, as well as your follicles’ sensitivity to DHT. These variations mean that some men grow beards more easily than others. [28]
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Section 5 of 7:

Does shaving speed up beard growth?

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  1. Shaving doesn’t affect the thickness or the rate of growth of your beard. If you want your beard to grow, you have to let it grow. The myth that shaving speeds up growth likely comes from the fact that it gives your hair blunt tips, making it appear darker and coarser. This gives the illusion that your hair is thickest the day after a shave. [29]
Section 6 of 7:

Growing a Beard FAQs

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  1. 1
    Does your beard ever stop growing? Your beard hair is terminal, meaning it will continuously produce hairs, but it will eventually reach a stage where it stops growing in length. Each singular hair has a set length, and it will fall out and be replaced by a new one. Hair follicles reset when the old hair sheds and the new one starts growing. [30]
  2. 2
    Can growing a beard make you go bald? Growing a beard doesn’t mean you’ll go bald, but there is sometimes a correlation between the two. The hormone DHT promotes beard growth, but it can also inhibit the growth of hair on your scalp. If you have high sensitivity to DHT, you may be able to grow a beard easily but are more at risk for hair loss on your head. If you have low sensitivity, you may struggle to grow a beard but have a low risk for hair loss. [31]
  3. 3
    How can I make my beard grow thicker? While there is no specific regimen that has been proven to thicken beard hair, keeping your beard clean and moisturized can make it appear fuller. Some people use olive oil or avocado oil to make their facial hair thicker, but the evidence behind this is purely anecdotal.
    • Even if you can’t make your beard fuller, you can sometimes make it look thicker. Rivas suggests, “Let your beard grow out, then tell the barber to keep some of the length down towards the jawline and underneath the neck. Then, trim it shorter as it grows closer to your haircut [and] define the edges really sharply.” [32]
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Section 7 of 7:

Final Takeaways

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  1. It’s okay if you struggle to grow a beard. Everyone grows facial hair at a different rate, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of! While there are many things you can do to improve your beard and overall health, some people simply can’t grow beards because of their genetics. Don’t feel like you have to grow a beard—you can rock the clean-shaven look, too!
    • If you really want to grow facial hair and can’t seem to do it on your own, consider talking to your doctor to see what your other options are.


Join the Discussion...

Tips on how to grow a full beard, fast?
wikiHow Editorial Team
It can take about a month to grow a full beard, so be patient and let your facial hair grow out. Make sure you're eating a nutrient-rich diet and regularly exercising to help your beard grow in faster. As your beard grows in thicker, use electric trimmers around your neck and cheek lines to clean up the edges.

Wash your beard with shampoo in the shower, and then apply beard oil after to keep your hair healthy and hydrated. Regularly run a beard brush through your beard to help keep your skin healthy and encourage your facial hair to grow in fuller.
Marlon Rivas
Facial Hair Specialist
So if you're really trying to grow a beard, just see what it does on its own for a few weeks. And then if you like how it grows in, maintain it by edging up areas that you don't want it to grow in to give it a uniform shape. One thing to keep in mind is hair grows in various stages. Some hairs grow back immediately after a clean shave, but some take a few more weeks to grow and fill in patchy spots. Give it at least a month to see how your beard grows.

If you're a person with a more rounded face shape, you should wear your beard a little bit tighter in the area where it grows by the ears. In the cheekbone areas, trim it down with a slightly more of a blend so the face doesn't look as round. If you're a person with a slimmer face, you might want to have your beard a little bit fuller in the cheek area so your face fills in a little bit more.
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      Tips

      • Remember to be patient and persistent. You can encourage your beard to grow faster, but your genetics will play a large role in how quickly the facial hair grows. Look at the beards your male relatives have; that will help you figure out what you can expect.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • The best vitamins for a healthy beards are vitamin B6 and B12. Remember to consume loads of proteins, which help to replenish your dead skin.
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      References

      1. ↑ Marlon Rivas. Facial Hair Specialist. Expert Interview. 17 January 2020.
      2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cant-grow-a-full-beard-theres-an-explanation-for-that
      3. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/does-shaving-make-hair-thicker/
      4. ↑ Juan Sabino. Professional Barber. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.yalemedicine.org/stories/beard-mustache-skin-problems/
      6. ↑ Juan Sabino. Professional Barber. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
      7. ↑ Juan Sabino. Professional Barber. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
      8. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-best-foods-for-vitamins-and-minerals
      9. ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/
      1. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-much-water-should-you-drink
      2. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34553483/
      3. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/adults.html
      4. ↑ https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep/how-much-sleep
      5. ↑ https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-stress-causes-hair-loss
      6. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/
      7. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5429933/
      8. ↑ https://www.kifyhospital.com/post/natural-home-remedies-to-increase-beard-and-mustache
      9. ↑ Juan Sabino. Professional Barber. Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.
      10. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7432488/
      11. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23113-microneedling
      12. ↑ https://ishrs.org/beard-transplant/
      13. ↑ https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/beard-mustache-skin-problems
      14. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004005.htm
      15. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9917549/
      16. ↑ https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-stress-causes-hair-loss
      17. ↑ https://dermatrials.medicine.iu.edu/blogs/what-is-alopecia-barbae
      18. ↑ https://www.struthealth.com/blog/beard-growth-stages-how-long-does-it-take-to-grow-a-full-beard
      19. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9917549/
      20. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/does-shaving-make-hair-thicker
      21. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23140-terminal-hair
      22. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24555-dht-dihydrotestosterone
      23. ↑ Marlon Rivas. Facial Hair Specialist. Expert Interview. 17 January 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To grow a beard faster, focus on living a healthy lifestyle and taking care of your skin and beard hair. Eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of lean protein to promote hair growth. You should also eat plenty of foods that are rich in iron, like tofu, lentils, and spinach. Omega-3 fatty acids are also good for hair growth, which you can get from fish, nuts, and plant oils. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night and work out every other day to help regulate your hormones, since your hormone levels can affect hair growth. Make sure you wash your face twice a day and exfoliate once a week to keep your hair follicles open. Apply beard oil to your beard hairs daily to keep them hydrated and healthy as your beard grows in. Growing out a beard can take time, but if you take care of your body, skin, and hair, you'll have a beard before you know it. To learn how to groom your beard so it grows faster, scroll down!

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