Fall is in full motion, and November (Movember) is already here—which means it’s time to put your razors away for the month. Movember is an annual event in which men grow their facial hair for November to promote awareness of men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health.
If you’re a guy who wants to grow a beard for Movember this year, we’ve put up a few pointers to ensure you do it right. These suggestions can help you develop a full, even, and majestic beard from ear to ear, whether you’re a seasoned player with naturally thick facial hair or fresh to the game and prone to patchy whiskers.
Three Ways to Grow a Magnificent Beard
1. Choose a Style That Complements Your Features
There are plenty of beard styles to select from, including round, oval, short-boxed, and three-day stubble, but it’s crucial to find the one that’s appropriate for you. The color and texture of your facial hair, as well as the shape of your face, will all play a role in determining the best beard style for you. In general, you should choose a beard style that makes your face appear as oval as feasible. For example, if you have a larger face, a beard that is longer at the chin and clipped around the cheekbones will help to contour it into an oval form.
2. Maintain a Healthy Diet and Regular Exercise
Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels are the most important elements in beard growth; the more DHT in your system, the fuller your beard. Some men produce a lot of DHT naturally, while others do not.
Don’t worry if your facial hair is sparse; there are several things you may do to increase DHT production. Eating well and exercising regularly are not only beneficial to your general health, but they can also help you increase DHT levels and grow a fuller beard.
Begin by eating a well-balanced diet that includes foods such as:
- Sweet Potatoes: High in beta-carotene, sweet potatoes are abundant in this precursor to Vitamin A, which promotes facial hair cell growth.
- Eggs: In addition to being high in protein, eggs are a natural source of Biotin, which will strengthen your facial hair and help you develop a beard.
- Spinach: This leafy green is high in calcium, iron, magnesium, and other nutrients that help your beard grow faster.
Pro tip: A hearty breakfast skillet with sweet potato hash browns, a couple of eggs, and a cup of spinach is a great way to start the day while also fueling beard growth.
Resistance training is the most effective approach to increase DHT when it comes to exercise. Concentrate your efforts on exercises that target key muscle groups, such as squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.
3. Regularly Groom Your Beard
If you’re growing a beard to save time getting ready by not having to shave, we have some bad news for you: no one—no one—can pull off a neckbeard. Growing a good-looking beard, on the other hand, will almost certainly take more time than keeping your face shaved.
Maintenance times will vary depending on how complicated of a beard you want to develop. However, there are a few things you’ll need to do on a daily basis for most beard styles:
- Keeping It Clean: You’ll need to clean shave your neck and upper cheeks every 1-3 days, depending on how quickly your stubble grows in.
- Keeping It Trim: You should trim your beard once a week unless you’re growing out a yeard (a year-long beard) or longer. As slower-growing hair follicles catch up, this will keep the tips of the hair healthy and make the beard look fuller.
It can be difficult to grow and maintain a magnificent beard. If you’re growing your first beard or just having difficulties getting it to look the way you want it to, check out our tips for Styling Your Beard.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also read this: How to Care for Your Beard
Sameer is a skilled writer for BeardCarePro.com with 7 years of experience in beard care and grooming. He holds a Diploma in Beard Grooming and Styling, bringing practical knowledge and expert advice to his readers. Follow Sameer on Instagram, connect on Facebook, or watch his grooming tips on YouTube.