skip to Main Content

How Long Does It Take to Grow a Beard – 5 Step Guide

How Long Does It Take To Grow A Beard Featured Image

If you are growing a beard for the first time, or if you are starting to grow one all over again, a question that will probably cross your mind is this: how long will it take to grow my beard?

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as many factors determine the health of your beard and its growth rate. Growing facial hair is a unique process for each of us.

If you are considering the possibility of growing a beard but are unsure about how best to grow it and to deal with that “in-between time” while it’s still growing in, you are in the right place.

This 5-step guide will help you to grow your beard and will maximize your chances of doing so successfully.

How Fast Does Beard Hair Grow?

The answer to this question depends on many factors, but generally, growing a beard can take anywhere from one to six months. And for most men, beard hair grows about half an inch per month.

The main factors that will affect your beard growth include:

  • Age
  • Genetics
  • Race
  • Diet
  • Stress
  • Physical well-being
  • Hair Care routine

Remember, growing a beard ultimately takes time! Growing a beard faster is on the wish list of many men. While your genetics may mean a longer wait, there are tips and tricks that you can employ to speed up the process.

Growing Your Beard: Our 5-Step Guide

young beard man wearing polka dot dress

While some men are blessed with speedy facial hair growth, it can take other men weeks before they see any sign of progress. Regardless of which category you belong to, following these simple steps will help you grow the beard of your choice:

Step 1: Planning Stage

The first step is to plan which style of beard that you want. Be ready to commit yourself to this project. A long beard can take years to grow out fully.  And even if you decide you don’t want a long beard, growing a short beard will still take some time and effort.

Explore different beard style options and figure out the style that fits your face shape best. If you have a narrow face, a bushy beard may suit you, while a longer beard will match best with rounder faces.

Once you have decided on a style, just let your beard grow for a few weeks.  Don’t trim it, don’t shape it.  You need to see what you have to work with before you start working with it.

You should also keep your facial skin clean, fresh, and moisturized. Exfoliating is a good idea too, to keep your skin healthy. and to reduce itching  You can use a facial scrub even through a full beard.

Tip: the early stage of beard hair growth can often lead to lots of stubble or a patchy beard look.  We recommend that you start growing during a vacation.

Step 2: Fitness and Diet

Your fitness and diet play a bigger role in growing a beard than you may realize.  Working out regularly can help with your blood circulation, and in turn, lead to faster hair growth and a thicker beard.

Similarly, a beard-friendly diet can also give you faster results. A healthy, protein-rich diet is key here. Start your day with oatmeal and eggs. Go with food options like fish, chicken breast, lean beef, broccoli, and brussels sprouts, and drink plenty of water!

A healthier diet, paired with regular exercise will help your hair growth as you pursue a thick beard and your overall health. There’s never been a better reason to get healthy!

Step 3: Early Growth Stage

Your first few weeks can be challenging as your beard growth may be far slower than you’d like. Don’t let this discourage you! Although your beard may appear scruffy during this stage, avoid cleaning it up as this will lead to having an awkwardly-shaped beard when it has finally grown out.

You may start off with patchy spots, but they will soon fill up exactly as you wish. Your beard will start getting thicker in a couple of weeks. Continue exfoliating and using the facial scrubs to get rid of dead facial skin cells as your new hair grows in.

You may feel itchy during the growth stage, but scratching won’t do you any favors. This is where investing in beard products can be helpful. To help with itching, use beard oil, beard balm, or a beard cream to condition the existing growth.

Alternatively, you may consider applying argan oil or coconut oil to curb beard itch before going to bed. This will not only make itchy skin more comfortable, but it will even soften your hair.

Patience is key in this stage. Things will gradually settle down once you have completed four to six weeks of hair growth.

beard man sitting near green bicycle

Step 4: When It Starts Filling In

After four to six weeks, your beard should start taking shape. Those patchy spots won’t be as visible, and if you have conditioned it well, the growing beard should be soft to the touch. At this time, apart from your skincare routine, you will need to start with basic beard care to give you a healthy beard.

This involves cleaning up the jawline, cheeks, neckline, and mustache areas. While you can look into your own beard trimming products, it is recommended to seek a professional’s help for at least the first couple of times that you trim your beard.

Going to a good barber will be well worth the cost, as they will be able to establish trim lines more accurately than you can yourself.  Once the barber has established the edges of your beard, you will be able to maintain them on your own.

Along with styling, the barber will be able to give you many more tips to help you in growing your beard just the way you want.

Step 5: When It is Filled in Completely

Gradually, you will realize that your beard has filled in completely. You won’t see any patchy areas, there won’t be any type of irritation and you should have a perfectly shaped beard with soft hair. With proper work and dedication, your efforts will pay off and you will have your desired beard look!

However, it is crucial to maintain your beard properly. Make sure to wash with a beard shampoo.  Then, condition, brush, and trim your beard hair the same way you do with your head hair. Do not neglect the skin that is hidden under your beard hair.  Be sure to use a good moisturizer.

Continue to follow a healthy routine that involves exercise and a proper diet. These steps will enable you to keep your beard healthy and soft.

How to Speed Up Your Beard Growth

young fashionable beard man in gray suit

While there are radical treatments that can promote your beard growth, they are often very costly and involve certain risks. Before looking at those options, try some of the simple practices in the list below to speed up the process naturally:

  • Before you start growing your beard, shave every single day for a week
  • Use facial scrubs and exfoliate at all stages of your beard growth – before, during, and after you grow it
  • Be patient and leave your beard to grow on its own for the first four to six weeks. Do not trim it during this time
  • Do not hamper your beard growth by picking at in-grown hairs. Doing so can also lead to irritation
  • Follow a healthy routine – exercise daily and maintain a beard-friendly diet
  • Get enough sleep and reduce your stress levels
  • Quit smoking
  • Condition your beard with beard cream or oil
  • Brush and maintain your beard with beard wash and regular grooming

How Long Will It Take for a Full Beard Growth?

As stated earlier, it will take four to six weeks, depending on the individual, for your beard to fill in.  It can take a total of two to six months for your beard to grow to a medium length.

A combination of the right genes and a dedicated approach will definitely be to your advantage. But remember- even a short beard will take time to grow.

In the end, how long it takes to have a fully grown beard doesn’t really matter. Instead, stay focused on the final output. By following the above guidelines, implementing proper care, and beard maintenance, you will achieve the look that you want.

Like this Post? Pin It to Pinterest!

How long does it take to grow a beard

Hi I'm Steve, and I've been trimming men's hair and beards for 6 years now. Many guys ask me about beard styles, how to grow a better beard, and how to take care of their beards. I share my techniques here in this blog.

Back To Top
Search