Introduction

This is an informal guide to growing a beard, based mostly on my own experience. It is by no means the ultimate, authoritative reference. It will be revised and improved in future updates. Additional "hints and tips" from readers are welcome. Please send them in!

See an exclusive all about beards beard-growing video.

Logically, the question would seem to be: Why NOT grow a beard? But shaving is the norm and letting the beard grow is the exception. So, it may require a bit of courage to take the decision to grow a beard. Once that decision is taken, it is easily reversed upon second thought. And another would-be beard disappears. When you see someone who has a full-grown beard, you know he made the decision to be bearded and he had the determination to stick with it.

Whether or not you should grow a beard depends in large part on genetics. Beard growth is genetically determined and there is not much anyone can do other than to accept what they've been given. If you have developed enough facial hair to allow you to grow a beard, then you owe it to yourself to grow it out at least once during your lifetime -- even if only as an experiment. You may be so pleased with the results, even unexpectedly so, that you decide to keep the beard permanently.

Most importantly, the decision to grow, and subsequently keep, your beard is yours. The only opinion that matters is yours. So, go for it! If you like it, keep it. If not, then shave it off. At the very least you will have given it a try and you'll know what it was like to grow your beard.

Need more reasons or inspiration for growing your beard? Visit the why grow a beard? page. It features several of the most frequent reasons cited by beard survey participants.

Tips on growing a beard

These tips should help get you through the beard-growing process. More may be added later.

• Consider starting your beard while on vacation. You'll be more relaxed about it while away from your job.
• Don't be overly concerned about other people's potential reactions to your new beard. If you have a good beard, most people will probably react favorably, possibly much more favorably than you would have ever anticipated. So relax and enjoy the experience.
• When starting to let your beard grow, just stop shaving -- completely. Do not shave at all for at least the first four weeks of growth. One of the most common errors is to attempt to start shaping or sculpting the beard too early in the process. Even if you are just planning to grow a "Van Dyke" or goatee, you should let everything grow for the first four weeks. WHY let your beard grow for four weeks before you start to shape it -- even if you are just growing a goatee? If you don't wait, you might cut off more than you really wanted. Also, you might not have thought about going for the striking effect of an oversized goatee, such as the one seen here. You can always trim it down to a smaller size later.
• After four weeks, you can start shaping the beard. Usually, you'll want to define a "neck line" along the bottom of your beard around the neck. This is probably best done by a professional barber or stylist. The hard part may be finding one who has a lot of experience in beard styling.
• Generally the "cheek line", the upper limit of the beard on the cheeks, is best left natural. Some men butcher otherwise excellent beards by shaving the cheeks into strange shapes. Unless your beard appears to be starting just below your eyes, you probably are better off not shaving or sculpting the beard on your cheeks.
• Invest in a beard trimmer and learn how to use it.
• Usually you should shampoo your beard with the same shampoo you already use for your head.
• Pat your beard gently dry with a towel. Blow drying is not usually necessary and is probably not recommended anyway.
• Don't let itching deter you. If you experience itching, keep your skin clean by daily shampooing (with a gentle shampoo) and optionally using a conditioner. Your skin will eventually adjust to the new situation. Itching should be only a temporary phase.
• Don't give up! It may help to set a target date. For example, give yourself a minimum of six weeks' growth before deciding to abandon your beard-growing effort. Commit to not shaving before that six weeks is up. When you've reached the six weeks date, then you can decide whether you want to continue with the beard or get rid of it.
• If you choose to get rid of your new beard, the easiest way to dispose of it is to use a beard trimmer or other hair clippers. Use the trimmer or clippers to trim away as much hair as possible. Follow that with a regular shave. Be extra careful.