No matter who you are, growing a beard takes a long time. While some men are unusually blessed in their ability to produce a manly excess of facial hair, the time it takes to go from clean-shaven to fully bearded is never less than a couple of months. Over such a long period, you may occasionally feel frustration or a desire to cut it all off. While this is not uncommon, you should resist such temptations until you have seen all of your beard growth stages.
You Can't Know Until You Try
Some men are simply not capable of growing a beard. Factors like ethnicity, age, testosterone and genetics all have a role to play in facial hair production. Certain Asian and Central American populations have a harder time growing facial hair than Western and Southern European ones.
Just because your beard isn't full doesn't mean you can't enjoy the pleasures of facial hair. Some men can grow an exceptional mustache, despite having no hair on their cheeks. Others have patchiness that contributes to a rugged, manly look when kept short. For reference, just search for pictures of Keanu Reeves.
Until you have truly tried your best to grow a beard, you will never know whether you can. This unexplored avenue of yourself may begin to gnaw away at you over time. Don't let yourself fall victim to regret — give it a shot at least once.
Many Beard Growth Stages Are Common to Men Around the World
There are some stages in the beard growth process that everyone who doesn't shave experiences, and others that only some men experience. The most important thing to consider, however, is that early failures are poor indicators of your end product. Plenty of men find themselves surprised when their patchy, scraggly stubble transforms into a full, luxuriant beard. Here are some stages common to most men:
Initial Questioning
The initial push past facial baldness can leave you questioning your decisions. This is normal. Your eyes may begin to play tricks on you, and you may come up with all kinds of reasons why society won't accept your newly bearded countenance.
Single-Month Patchiness
Having arrived at a month of beard growth, you have reached a milestone that many men never attain. At this stage, you shouldn't expect your beard to resemble that of Gandalf the Grey. A month is no time at all in beard years. You probably have patches that haven't closed with other sections of hair. In most cases, these disappear over time.
The Maintenance Stage
At a certain point, most men recognize that further growth isn't doing them any aesthetic favors. What some don't understand, however, is that simple grooming with beard oils and beard combs can help them tame even the wildest beard. This is often the last of the beard growth stages, as men tend to trim well before their beards reach their maximum potential.
The Yeard
Going a year without shaving isn't for everyone. It can, however, create a distinguished, wise impression that leaves others in awe. Provided you don't work as a cop or a bank teller, a yeard can be a once-in-a-lifetime experiment or a permanent addition. Don't be surprised when your beard yields a mixture of positive and negative feedback. Take opinions into account, but don't let them overrule your judgment.
Grooming Is Easier When You Know What Beard Growth Stages To Expect
There are many different kinds of beards. From Fu Manchus to yeards, finding and maintaining the right one for you can be deceptively difficult. Science has shown that having a beard can affect the way others perceive your internal emotions reflected on your face. You may also perceive yourself differently, and this can make it difficult to decide when to trim.
The best way to gain experience is by doing. Once you have been through the process of growing your beard from scratch two or three times, you should have a decent understanding of the stages you like and dislike. The key to successful grooming is to keep your beard at the stages you prefer for as long as possible.
While beard oil can help tame an overly long mane, a grooming brush and pair of clippers can help you shorten your overall length in a controlled manner. For men who like to trim neatly around the neck or cheeks, a shaping tool can help you achieve the desired look. Whatever you do, keep track of your progress and take pictures before and after you attempt any clipping or shaving.
Keeping Track of Your Progress Is Rewarding and Helpful
Few things in life are more rewarding than growing a beard. As your facial hair grows, you may happen to pose for a picture or two. While candid photos can give you a helpful reference point with which to compare two different beard growth stages, deliberately creating a record of your progress can be far more helpful.
Try to take a few pictures at least once a week. As you do this, take both front and side profiles of your face. Over several months, your record can serve as a fascinating and useful time-lapse of your progress. Plus, even if you decide to ditch the beard, you will still be able to show your grandkids what your facial hair once was in its heyday.
While society's expectations of your beard may occasionally conflict with your own hopes, having physical proof of your previous babyface compared to your manly mane can save you time and stress. When you are still in one of the earlier stages of growth, you can show people the exciting look to expect in a little while.
Having a beard is a great way to make the most out of the manhood you were gifted at birth. Understanding your personal beard growth stages is the key to getting the most out of your beard. For all the tools, supplements and kits you need to keep your beard looking its best, visit Wild Willies' online store.
