Most people believe that shaving helps in increasing the growth rate of a beard. Well, there is no proven science to back this statement. So, consider this a totally a century-old myth, a misconception that leads to believing anyone who shaves frequently will grow hair faster.
Does Shaving Increase Beard Growth? Answering Myth!
Many people are stuck with a dilemma when it comes to beard growth. There are all kinds of myths floating around when it comes to growing and taking care of beards. In this article, we will address a very popular myth that has unfortunately stood the test of time— that shaving can increase beard growth.
Does Shaving Increase Beard Growth?
The myth that ‘shaving can make your beard grow faster’ is an outdated old wives’ tale. You might have heard many people reiterate this ‘fact’ and even swear on it, completely unaware that this is very far from being the reality. So, no, shaving does not increase beard growth.
So, where does this myth arise from? This may have originated from the fact that hair regrowth may look very different from your usual hair pattern at first.
When you trim your beard, it has a coarse and blunt tip. When the first hair regrowth occurs, you’ll only get to see the thick, rough base and not the softer and thinner part, which will eventually grow back if you allow it to.
New hair may also look much darker than it used to look before. This is mainly due to its thickness, but it may also be because newly-grown hair hasn’t yet been exposed to natural elements such as air, sunlight, dirt, soaps, shaving cream, etc.
The dark shade of new hair may also be much more noticeable than before. If you have lighter skin, you may notice the new hair even more. This all has to do with the colour contrast and has nothing to do with the process of shaving.
How to Increase Beard Growth Naturally?
1. Clean and Exfoliate Your Skin
Hair growth is encouraged by clear skin. Hence, you need to start off by taking good care of your face. You should clean and properly exfoliate your hair. The skin should be exfoliated at least once per week using an exfoliant or scrub. This will help remove all the dead skin cells.
You should also clean your facial skin by washing it with warm water and a mild cleanser. The warm water will help open up your pores, and the cleanser will manage to get rid of all the dirt and oil accumulated on the skin. However, you need to make sure you do not use harsh soap on your face.
After you have cleansed your skin thoroughly, you first need to use a moisturising cream in order to get rid of the dryness of your skin. If you use a moisturiser with eucalyptus, this can prove to be useful as facial hair growth is promoted by it. This is because eucalyptus oil stimulates hair follicles which enables growth.
2. You Should Keep Checking Your Face for Ingrown Hairs
To define ‘ingrown hair,’ this is basically hair which has been shaved or tweezed that eventually grows back into the skin, causing inflammation there. This stops new hair from growing evenly on your face. Exfoliating your skin will help you to get rid of the ingrowth.
3. You Need to Manage Your Stress
Stress can prevent good and smooth hair growth. You need to manage stress and get a good amount of rest so that the damaged skin cells can repair themselves, promoting beard growth. Stress enhances the levels of cortisol in your body which hinders the growth of your beard. Beards can grow more quickly when you are free of stress. You can manage stress by exercising, which will help in improving hair growth on your face.
4. Do Not Trim Your Beard
You should not trim your beard. If you want it to grow long, then let your beard grow freely. You should groom the beard only after 4-6 weeks because there is absolutely zero scientific evidence to suggest that shaving will make your hair grow bigger and thicker.
Also Read: The Dos and Don’ts of Beard Transplants
Is Shaving Good For Beard Growth?
Even though shaving frequently will not help you boost the growth of your beard, it still holds a fine ground in maintaining your beard. While the number of hair follicles you have is the result of genetics and hormonal changes, shaving it from time to time is a necessary activity that will help you maintain the texture and regrowth speed.
Also, it is one of the essential activities to maintain personal cleanliness. But if you want a voluminous and thick beard, shaving every day will not be recommended.
