Beards are most definitely in fashion these days, in fact, they have been for some time now and their popularity doesn’t seem to be wavering. Big, full, luxurious beards in particular are enjoying a style renaissance and it might be difficult to ignore how much they suit a certain face, especially as Zack Robbins on Beardaholic.com suggests that, “men believe that the beard is associated with masculinity, power, leadership and wisdom, the thicker the beard, the more respect it commands.”
It’s hard to argue with that logic, but for some it might actually be harder to grow one. Whatever your style preferences and reasons for opting for the bearded look, one thing is certain – you want a beard that looks full and healthy with no patches or thinning. But what can you do if Mother Nature hasn’t blessed you with a beard that grows fully?
Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to make the most of your natural beard growth, such as grooming products and lifestyle options, as well as augmenting what nature gave you, such as laser treatments or a beard hair transplant.
Not all beards are created equal
Before we explore the modern man’s various options for a luxurious beard, it’s important to look at why some men need a little extra help with their beard growth, especially when experts suggest that up to 50% of men struggle to grow a full, healthy beard.
This can sometimes be related to lifestyle, with poor nutrition or high levels of stress undoubtedly affecting the healthy functioning of the body, including how quickly and thickly hair grows. If this is the case, there are several things you can do to encourage healthier beard growth, including improving your diet and reducing stress, where possible.
Another factor that can influence the appearance of a beard is illness; some conditions are known to affect hair thickness and growth rates. In such instances, addressing the cause ought to be a priority, both for your overall health and wellness, as well as helping you feel good about your appearance.
However, the main factor in how your beard grows is genetic. And while there are a few things you can do to support healthy hair and maybe even stimulate slight increases in growth or thickness, there’s not much you can do to counter genetic growth patterns. According to dermatologist Dr Jennifer Dwalek, when a thin or patchy beard is down to genetics, ‘you’re kind of stuck with what you have’.
While it may be true that you can’t change your genes, if you find that your beard doesn’t grow as fast or as thickly as you’d like, a beard hair transplant is one increasingly popular solution. And thanks to modern technology and advances in medicine, these days beard transplants are not only for the rich and famous.
What’s involved in a beard hair transplant?
As with most types of hair transplant, hair follicles are taken from another part of the body, often the back of the head, towards the base of the scalp. These hairs are then grafted by the surgeon onto the area where hair is missing or sparse.
Although these harvested hairs usually fall out within a few weeks, the newly transplanted hair follicles should continue to grow in the normal way. Technology has advanced so much in recent years that some experts claim a success rate close to 100% can be expected. And since the hair grafts can be placed anywhere, it’s even possible to redesign the hairline or the pattern of beard growth on the face.
The entire procedure can be done in just a few hours, and the recovery period is also very quick. A beard transplant can be a full-beard solution for men whose facial hair hardly grows at all, or it can be used just to enhance a thinning beard that has unwanted patchy areas.
Although hair transplants have been possible for several years, it’s only relatively recently that beard transplants have become an accessible and affordable option for many men. Given that so many men are unsatisfied with their beard growth, it’s not surprising that this option is fast becoming a common and increasingly popular procedure, especially as several high-profile celebrities are openly sharing their beard and hair transplant experiences.
So, while there are a number of steps you can take to grow a thicker, fuller beard, if lifestyle changes are not an option and genes are not on your side, you might find that a visit to a hair transplant clinic could help you in your quest for a luxurious beard and the masculine look that you’re seeking.
