The Efficacy of Using a Beard Straightener

There is no shame in admitting this: Growing a beard can be a challenge, especially if your facial hair doesn't behave at all. You can find yourself plucking and trimming for hours to get it just how you like it. It's even worse when you're trying to work with beard hair that is coarse, curly, frizzy, and not straight! Despite the convenience and coolness that comes with rocking a beard, we know you need the right tools to look your best all the time. That's precisely why we sell beard straightener options. 

What Is a Beard Straightener? 

Beneath that rugged beard lurks a sensitive poet, a man who yearns for a more manageable look. Just as curly-haired women have been known to straighten their locks, you too may have been longing for such a style upgrade for your own facial curls, one that keeps your beard looking as ruggedly handsome as you feel.  

A straightener is an excellent grooming tool for men who want to tame their wild facial locks. If you've ever tried to get your beard to do what you want, you may have found that it's no easy task, leaving you at the mercy of your facial hair's individual texture. If your beard is rebellious and unruly, there's nothing wrong with taking matters into your own hands.  

A straightener is a grooming device that uses heat to straighten your beard. Just like a brush or comb, a beard straightener is used to style your mane. The main difference between a straightener and other brushes and combs is that it uses heat to soften thick, unruly facial hair while styling it. 

2-n-1 Beard Straightener 2.0

$30.00

Refashion an unruly mass of facial hair into a slick and stylish shape with this Wild Willies beard straightening brush 2.0. Anti-static coating and PTC heating technology work together for maximum straightening performance. Why The Beard Straightener:-  Tames the toughest beards- … Read More

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Is Heat Safe for Your Face Mane? 

One of the biggest problems many men encounter in life is "How can I make my beard look good?" Heat is one of the most common tools used to straighten hair, from the warm air produced by blow dryers and hooded dryers to flat irons and hot combs. It's no surprise to learn that heat can produce similar results on beards. Still, there is a lot of conflicting information online about what temperature is best for styling facial hair and how much heat is safe before causing damage. 

While tools and devices vary, in general, 385° Fahrenheit is considered the sweet spot for beard grooming, but up to 450° Fahrenheit is safe for facial hair. You want to be careful not to overheat your beard, as high levels of heat can dry out the hair too much, leading to breakage and split ends.

Are There Different Versions of a Beard Straightener?  

There are two types of straighteners with a wide variety of differences. On one end, you have hair-drying brushes, which use a concentrated heated airflow to dry and calm your beard hair in a matter of minutes with a professional-like shine. On the other hand, there are heated thermal brushes, which are advanced tools and considerably better for your beard.  

Thermal brushes have ceramic blades designed to be used on your beard without the need for the blow dry function. These are just ceramic or titanium plates heated up, either by being plugged into an outlet or powered by batteries. Using them on your beard creates a lot less damage because you are sealing in all your natural oils, leading to a frizz-free finish.  

When shopping for a beard straightener, you are bound to come across several other words and phrases. While most language is marketing jargon, there are a few words to pay attention to:  

• Tourmaline: Tourmaline is a mineral with a unique crystalline structure. Often, it's mixed in a ceramic, aluminum, or titanium base to form a flat ironing plate that helps reduce frizz and flyaways. Tourmaline irons have been found to decrease drying time and protect the hair from damage caused by styling tools. A good tourmaline brush can make your hair feel as smooth as silk.  
• Ionic: Ionic styling tools deliver negative ions to increase water absorption in your hair and hasten drying time. Ionic dryers also purport to help seal split ends and reduce frizziness, which can keep your hair looking healthier.  
• Infrared, Ceramic, Porcelain: While marketing language often puts a significant emphasis on one of these phrases, they each mean essentially the same thing: consistent, even heat. Even heat is beneficial to reducing common hair problems, especially those resulting from uneven drying. 

Is a Beard Straightener Right for Every Beard (Short and Long)?  

You may be thinking about using an electric straightener to make your beard look polished and stylish all the time, but do you know for sure this is the right tool for you? Not all devices are meant for all beards, and certain tools can cause more harm than good if you use the wrong one. Thankfully, a straightener is a universal tool for men with short or long beards. However, some length is necessary for the device to do an adequate job, so, for men just starting to grow their luscious mane, look to styling balms instead until the facial hair is at least a half-inch to an inch in length.  

How Do You Use a Beard Straightener?  

A straightener is one of the most straightforward grooming tools to use. However, taming your facial hair chinstrap into a smooth shape requires the adherence to a few basic tips to ensure the health of your beard. After you wash your beard in the shower, follow these steps:

1. Dry
2. Condition
3. Create tension
4. Comb downward
5. Preserve and protect the hair  

Hair follicles are porous, and they retain moisture. If there is still a lot of water in your beard when you apply the straightener, you can singe the hair and cause damage. To prevent damage, make sure you dry your mane thoroughly. You may even want to allow a little extra drying time after your shower, so maybe take a news break.  

When using the straightener, you will inevitably dry out the hair, removing essential moisture. To prevent too much loss, apply oil or balm to condition the facial hair. Do not use a water-based conditioner because that will only lead to further curling and potential frizz.  

When considering straightening methods, most people are thinking about the hair's cuticle layer, but you also need to focus on the hydrogen bonds responsible for its natural shape. To reshape those bonds, you need more than heat; you need tension. As you use the straightener, apply even and consistent pressure for the best results.  

You want to comb downward at the same angle and direction for a straight, controlled beard. It is best if you also slowed your combing or brushing speed. Many experts suggest reducing your average brushing speed by a minimum of 25% because the slower you go, the more you allow the heat to do its job. However, going too slow can risk damage to the follicles.  

Finally, you need to preserve and protect your beard by using beard oil or styling balm. Each of these products provides the necessary moisture to the hair follicles and skin while also helping to give a finishing style to your look.  

What Causes Curly, Untamed Beards?  

While a beard straightener can help restore order to your facial hair, why is it necessary in the first place? There are several reasons your face mane appears unkempt, but the three most likely causes are natural growth, dryness, and dehydration resulting from poor hygiene.  

The primary reason for a beard to appear wiry or curly is the way the follicles grow. A beard can grow symmetrically or asymmetrically. If you have symmetrical growth, meaning the hair grows in the same direction, you are more likely to have a naturally straight beard. Unfortunately, most men have asymmetrical growth, meaning their facial hair grows in several directions, resulting in an unruly look.  

The secondary reason for uncontrolled growth is dryness, which may seem counterintuitive when considering a straightener. If you wash your beard too often or do not use appropriate shampoos, conditioners, oils, and balms to ensure proper moisture levels, the facial hair stiffens and eventually twirls and curls.  

Finally, the unkempt look of your beard can result from dehydration or poor hygiene. Many bearded men love to stroke their mane. The thinking pose is a significant benefit to growing a beard, but running your hands through your facial hair can often lead to the transference of dirt, which can dehydrate the beard. If you do not comb, brush, or wash your beard often enough, you can end up with dirt, debris, and tangles that result in unruly hair.  

To avoid the adverse effects of poor hygiene and dryness, make sure you wash your beard a maximum of three times per week, brush it daily, and use conditioners, oils, and balms as often as needed. Most barbers suggest using facial scrubs, moisturizers, oil, and butter twice daily (evening and night). Additionally, you can help your body by drinking plenty of water and scrapping those high-sugar beverages.  

Can You Straighten Your Beard Without a Beard Straightener?  

Do you own a blow dryer? If so, you can use it with a brush or comb to help tame your beard. The heat from the dryer can lead to satisfactory results, but you will need to work on your technique.  

For the best results, start at the bottom of your beard, taking only a section of beard that is the same width as your comb or brush — a 1-inch comb equates to 1 inch of hair. Turn the comb into the beard as you apply even heat to the surface.  

Blow drying your beard will take longer than if you use a beard straightener. As well, because you are combing many smaller sections instead of applying long, slow, even strokes to the entire beard, you might not end up with as pleasing or even results.   

Is a Beard Straightener Right for You and Your Beard?  

You can probably get by with just a beard trimmer or pair of shears, but if you've not considered using a beard straightener, you should do so. A good product will work with your hair on its natural level, rather than fighting it to create an artificial appearance.  

We all want a softer, shinier beard that wows everyone we come into contact with. For most men with beards, this means getting your hands on a beard balm or oil. In some instances, however, a straightener is the only product that will do.  

Whether you're looking to grow out your beard or you're happy with the one you've got, using a straightener on it every once in a while can help. The product helps to soften the beard hair, making it less itchy and more manageable. Using a straightener often can also help you avoid the overuse of balms and oils by making application easier and making the products more effective.  

When straightening, it is best to consider how and when you trim your beard. Trimming your beard when it is wild and then using a straightener can lead to uneven-looking beards. Instead, use the straightener before getting your beard styled and maintain the same style. 

With the right tools, one can tame one's facial hair. The Wild Willies beard straightener brush works to straighten coarse hair with advanced ionic conditioning, an anti-static coating, and PTC heating technology. The model features temperature adjustment buttons and a thermometer on the handle for safe and convenient use. The device also prevents you from damaging your hair because it automatically stops going above temperatures deemed safe for facial hair.  

Getting the fuzz under control is a challenging task for most men. It's hard work and can take numerous hours of dedication and grooming care to get that beard in order. You may spend hundreds on different styling methods when investing in a quality straightener will do. If you're looking for the quickest and easiest way to tame your natural wild mane, a straightener could do the trick. Instead of wasting time and frustrating yourself in the mirror, head on over to Wild Willies and check out our beard straightener.