How to Make Facial Hair Grow Faster & Thicker
For a thick, full beard, eat a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep. Don't shave or trim the beard, allowing it to grow in nice and full. Take the vitamin biotin, which will help promote hair growth.
Thick, full facial hair has historically been a symbol of power, ruggedness and masculinity in some cultures. Growing a full beard or even just a mustache requires some patience and perseverance, since the rate your hair grows and how thick it comes in depends largely on genetics and levels of testosterone. Although nature dictates your hair growth, you can take some steps to help it along.
Read more: Can Any Supplements Thicken Hair?
Lifestyle Choices
Eat right and get plenty of rest. It sounds like common sense, but the condition of your facial hair directly corresponds to the health of your body. Incorporate protein-rich foods, such as fish, eggs and beans, into your diet. Reduce stresses in your life, as stress can actually cause hair loss, and get a full night's sleep regularly.
Supplement your healthful diet with vitamins and minerals shown to improve hair growth. Consider taking 3 milligrams of biotin a day, as it's known to help with hair loss.
Other supplements that may increase facial hair growth include, but are not limited to, vitamins B6, C and E as well as beta-carotene, nettle and flax seed oil. Consult your doctor prior to beginning a supplement routine and discuss the appropriate dosage for each.
Let It Grow
Many potential beards and goatees get shaved off at the first sign of itching. It will take at least four weeks for your facial hair to grow in completely, and you will have to endure a period of uncomfortable itching. Using a mild, over-the-counter steroid cream like hydrocortisone 1 percent can give you some relief from the itching. Resist the temptation to shave it and eventually the hairs on your face will soften.
Don't trim or shape your facial hair for the first month, as the hairs grow at various rates on different areas of your face. Unlike the hair on the top of your head, your beard will not cover every area of your face.
Genetics and hormones determine the thickness of your facial hair. If it turns out you've got a thick beard, you may just shape it around the neck and cheekbones. However, if you have a few thin spots on the cheeks or chin, consider sporting a goatee or mustache.
Read more: How to Get Thicker Hair for Men
Word of Warning
Minoxidil, commonly known under the brand name Rogaine, stimulates hair growth on the scalp in men under 40 with recent hair loss. It might seem tempting to apply it to the face, but resist the urge. It's not supposed to be used on the face, and it will likely have no effect on a patchy or under-grown beard.