Picture this: one day, you wake up, head to the bathroom, and groggily catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. That’s when you actually do a double-take, like in the movies!
Your beard is growing at an unprecedented rate, and it’s caught you off guard. ‘Why?’ and ‘How?’ are the first two things that come to mind.
If you’ve ever had a similar experience, you’re not alone. Sudden beard growth can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. The most common cause is an increase in the levels of certain hormones. One hormone, in particular, testosterone, could be the main culprit.
Yet, that’s not the only one. Other factors determine the rate of your beard growth as well. Today, we unlock the secrets of facial hair and tell you all about the reasons behind your sudden beard growth.
Let’s get started.
Sudden Beard Growth: What Does It Mean?
Everyone’s beards grow at different rates for different reasons. Below, you’ll find some of the most common factors that could be causing your sudden beard growth.
Keep reading to learn more.
Summertime
Your beard goes through four stages of growth. Starting from the formation of the hair follicle until it falls out.
According to several studies, the rate at which your beard grows increases when the weather is warmer. It starts in mid-May and peaks in July or August during the hottest months.
Here’s a fun fact: your beard’s summertime growth rates match testosterone levels. Generally, androgens, or male sex hormones, peak during the summer and tend to be at their lowest during the colder months.
Thus, one reason for your sudden beard growth could be the warm weather. So, make sure you spend a little extra time grooming and taking care of your beard during this time.
It’s also worth noting that your beard doesn’t act as a shield against harmful UV rays. So, make sure that you and your beard are safe in the sun by regularly applying sunscreen.
Diet
A major factor that helps decide your beard’s growth rate is your diet. The kinds of foods you’re consuming and how they affect your body.
For example, beard hair needs protein to grow. So, your sudden beard growth could be that you’re simply eating more beef, fish, chicken, and other protein-rich foods.
Beard hair also thrives on minerals found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts.
Below are some of the best beard-friendly vitamins:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamins B3, B5, B6, B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
Exercise
Exercise also plays a significant role in how facial hair grows. How often and what types of activities you do can be the reason for your sudden beard growth.
This is why:
The primary reason is that working out eliminates one of the reasons that slow down beard growth: cortisol. This is the hormone responsible for making you feel stressed and anxious.
When cortisol levels rise, it inhibits the growth of facial hair. So, through regular exercise, you reduce cortisol levels, thus allowing your beard to grow at a steady, natural rate.
Another reason is that when you exercise, your brain tells your body to increase testosterone levels. As a result, it plays a role in boosting muscle growth and strength.
Furthermore, it promotes the growth of facial hair. So, case in point, more testosterone means more beard growth.
Sleep
How about sleep? Did you ever think your sleep patterns can affect the rate of your beard growth?
Well, it can, and here’s how:
During quality sleep, we usually go through two cycles. The first is basic sleep when you close your eyes and are dead to the world. The second is called the REM stage, where your mind is busy doing things like releasing the growth hormone somatotropin.
Studies show that this hormone can help stimulate facial hair growth in men. Of course, the opposite is also true.
So, your sudden beard growth could be that you’re getting anywhere between 7 – 9 hours of quality sleep for several weeks.
Hormones
The rate at which your facial hair grows is determined by two hormones: testosterone and DHT. When they’re found in high levels, your beard will grow faster. When their levels drop, beard growth slows down drastically.
So, what controls your levels of hormones? Several things, including the factors we talked about earlier, which you have some control over.
There are other factors, as well, that you can’t control, like your genes. You get your genes equally from your father and your mother. So, if your beard tends to grow faster than your father’s, it could be because your mother’s grandfather had a fast-growing beard.
Beard Care and Maintenance
So, you’ve noticed a sudden growth in your facial hair. It could be due to one of the reasons we mentioned above, or a combination. Either way, now, you have to start taking proper care of your beard to keep it healthy, manageable and smelling great.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Shampooing
Shampooing your beard is a delicate matter. You can’t just pick up any soap or shampoo and lather up.
Pick a mild cleanser, preferably one that contains natural ingredients. They’ll help wash away sweat, dust, and debris without stripping beard hair of its natural oils.
Use your fingers to work the shampoo into your beard, like a nice little finger massage. This short, but sweet, massage will help stimulate hair follicles and get rid of any residue oils.
Give your beard a good washing once or twice a week. That should be enough to keep it nice and clean.
Conditioning
Most men just rinse off the shampoo, dry their beards, and rush off. That’s the exact opposite of what you should be doing. Even if you’re short on time, take a couple of minutes to condition and moisturize your beard.
After towel-drying your beard, apply a dollop of beard leave-in conditioner. Next, find an all-natural conditioner that can provide your beard with the moisture it needs to stay soft and smooth.
Take things a step further and follow it up with beard oil. These oils are usually made of essential oils that make you smell nice and give your facial hair a nice silky, smooth feel.
Grooming
Grooming your beard isn’t just about combing it with your fingers and calling it a day. If you want to do it right, you need the right tools.
The two most important grooming tools for any beard are a beard brush and comb. Of course, you may get the urge to use just any comb or brush. Yet, trust us, that’s one of the worst things you can do for your beard.
You can choose between wooden, plastic, or metal grooming tools. Those made of wood are usually more convenient and user-friendly. Plastic is generally lighter in weight, but you risk creating, as is the case with metal grooming tools.
For those of you with sensitive skin, grooming can be challenging. You have to use tools specifically made for sensitive skin to prevent skin inflammations or drying out your facial hair.
The Takeaway
Take a look at your latest daily habits. Have you started eating better? How about exercise and sleep?
Any one of these factors could be the cause of your sudden beard growth. It could also be a combination of two or more of them coming together at the right time to boost your beard growth.
The important thing is to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Also, remember the importance of grooming to make sure you and your beard look and feel terrific!