Many men struggle with their beards. Should I keep it? Should I shave it off? Do I know how to pull a full beard off? Why does it grow patchy and weird? Can’t I grow a proper one? Does my beard make me look older than I am?
Multiple studies have shown that a beard ages men from five to ten years. Science also proved that having facial hair makes a man seem more authoritative and confident. Not growing out a beard, on the other hand, shaves many years off a person’s age. And with that said, a man can never look younger with a beard.
From all the struggles I mentioned above, it’s clear I’m going to tackle the question, can you look younger with a beard?
Below, I’ll tell you why that’s not possible and how you can work your way around that fact.
Do Beards Make You Look Older?
The short answer is yes, facial hair can add a couple of years to your age. It’s the reason why most 20-somethings go to great lengths to grow out their beards. Their goal is to appear older, bolder, and to obtain that mature look.
It’s happened to me many times before. I’d look at a person with a beard, mistake him for a 30-year-old man tops, only to find out he’s no older than 25.
It gets harder the thicker a man’s facial hair is too. Combine that with plain dad clothes, and they pass for an older man, no problem.
This brings us to the many studies made about this. Each study concluded that facial hair adds anywhere between five to ten years to your age.
Studies also showed that other factors play part in whether or not a beard will age you. Such factors include how thick you can grow your beard and how big it can get.
It depends on your facial characteristics, too, meaning if you have a baby face or rougher features, your beard might or might not make you younger.
Your current age factors in as well.
Why Does a Beard Make You Look Older?
I’ve covered that a beard makes you older than you are, but why is that?
There’s no clear-cut answer to this question yet. The previous studies, though, have come across a few common reasons behind the fact that facial hair ages you.
For a better understanding of your beard, here they are:
An Age Indicator
The simple rule is that if you have a beard, then you’re old enough to grow one. While it typically takes younger boys longer to fix their patchy beards, it’s still an indicator that they’re becoming adults.
For older men, on the other hand, having a full beard can go either way. In other words, old men with salt and pepper beards might seem a few years younger than they are. In fact, a light white beard or a soft stubble will also take some years off their age.
In other cases, though, facial hair can double your age when you’re middle-aged or older. A beard’s gray tones are a known connotation of old age. Not just that, but if you rock a shaved, bald head with your beard, you’ll seem even older.
Gives Certain Perceptions
Bearded men are typically perceived as more confident than those without beards. It’s mostly because full beards make a man look more mature for his age, and maturity usually translates into boldness and aggressiveness.
This adult image leads people to believe that the person with the full beard is older than they look.
The way you style your beard also contributes to how old you might appear to others. A trimmed beard won’t make you seem younger, but it does guarantee a youthful, fresh look.
However, if your facial hair is styled after ‘what’s new’ in the men’s fashion world, certain full-beard styles will help you appear trendy, and in turn, young.
That said, some old men choose to dye their beards once gray hairs appear. These might incline people to think that they’re younger by one or two years.
This does depend on your facial features though. Eye bags, wrinkles, or coarse skin might still give your age away.
Ages Your Style
Perhaps you’re known for your long, luxurious beard since it goes well with your vibe. It’s a simple fact, though, that the longer your beard, the more time you’ve spent on growing it, and so, the older you are.
It’s worth mentioning that long facial hair isn’t always an indicator of old age. Other factors such as the beard’s fullness and style have a hand in making you seem young.
The truth is, if your beard is still in its developing stages, the patchiness gives your age away.
Yet, you can fix your facial hair in ways that can change your age according to what you want others to perceive you as.
Simply put, some beard styles can make old men young, while other styles age young faces.
What Beard Styles Make You Seem Younger?
What age you appear to other people shouldn’t matter, but if you’re particular about it, you can choose to style your beard in a way that suits your age. This way, you don’t get perceived any younger or older than you actually are.
For youthful males, you should consider shaping your facial hair in styles that aren’t common among the older folk. Any of the following would be perfect for young men:
- A short, well-trimmed beard with thin sideburns
- A small goatee
- A thin chin strap
- A Van Dyke style beard with a trimmed mustache
- A heavy stubble or a Balbo beard
- A mouche, which is otherwise known as a soul patch
Some men also dye or bleach their hair to opt for that crisper, younger look. You can choose from brownish red, dirty blonde, or any medium shade that fits your natural color.
What Beard Styles Age You?
Young people shouldn’t try aging themselves on purpose unless they want to. While this section can be for both the young and the mature, it targets older men.
That’s because a clean-shaven look is often not the best option for wrinkly faces since it’ll show off their old age.
So, if you want to pass for older, or want to hide your real age, here are the beard styles that would do that:
- A full-grown, lush beard—mustache and everything
- A thick ducktail beard
- A long, imperial beard that goes past your chin
- A garibaldi or a bandholz beard style with a thick mustache
- A bushy, Viking beard
- Mutton chops
In addition, having gray, or white beard hair will help you seem more mature as well. The golden rule is, the thicker the facial hair is, the older the man appears.
Wrapping Up
Can you look younger with a beard? Not exactly. It’s more than a known fact that growing facial hair adds up to ten years to your age. In rare cases, and with proper beard styling, your beard can help you look your age—perhaps, even younger.
That said, if you’re more into the mature look, then you should start growing your beard out. In fact, certain diets can help you fix patchy, uneven beards which I go over here.