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Beards throughout history have always been the earmark on what separates the boys from the men. If you think about it, most iconic figures or faces to remember sported some sort of facial fur at one point or another from Jesus himself to Abraham Lincoln to Mr. T. Fast-forward to the modern day and it’s still they’re still popular in demand.
Why are so many of today's dudes so about growing beards? Studies have shown beards to be a sign of strength and dominance. A full, well-groomed beard can make the weakest or shortest man feel important and noticed in a room full of heavyweights. It’s even being reported that men are spending big money on beard transplants up to $15,000 per procedure.
With that being said, most men never really consider the maintenance and grooming care necessary to sport a beard. Or the more organic ways to grow one out. Between all the food and daily debris that gets trapped in your face shag, a cleaning is crucial so to not harm the growing process.
RELATED: We Tested A Bunch Of Beard Oils To Find The Absolute Best
Did you know the average male grows up to 25,000 facial hairs every 24 hours? That’s a lot of freaking hair, which means you’ll have a lot of ground to cover. Washing your beard won’t just help you avoid certain drawbacks such as unpleasant odors, patches, and gray hairs. It also keeps dryness and beardruff away. Remember under all that hair is skin that needs attention too.
How To Wash Your Beard
- Step 1: Choose The Right Water Temperature: When it comes to selecting the appropriate temperature of water, you need to understand the science behind the choice. Very hot water should be avoided at all cost because it dries out hair follicles causing improper beard growth. Stick to lukewarm water since it opens pores and enhances blood circulation, allowing the wash to be more effective.
- Step 2: Build Up Lather: Frost up your cleanser of choice. It’s recommended to start off with a quarter size amount and add more as needed, which should be easy to determine.
- Step 3: Massage Into Beard: Be sure not to top clean only. Use your fingertips to dig deep into all directions of the beard in a scrubbing motion. This action cleans skin better, leaving your face hydrated and beard follicles stimulated causing better growth.
- Step 4: Rinse It Out: Remember to use warm water because we want to remain consistent. It’s best to just move your fingers through the beard at a steady pace. We recommend rinsing twice to ensure all soap residue is gone.
What You Need
Broo Craft Beer Shampoo
$17.49 at Amazon.com
Zeus Beard Shampoo
$15.20 at Amazon.com
Dry Your Beard
- Step 1: Pat Down With A Microfiber Towel: This special type of towel removes leftover dirt without damaging your hair at its most vulnerable state. It cuts drying time by 50%. but most importantly it helps you avoid any lint left behind your beard normally takes on when using a cotton towel.
- Step 2: Blow Dry Beard Hair: It’s quick and easy. But using one at a hot temperature can destroy hair and make it brittle. When using one, keep it on a lower setting and 6-8 inches away from your face, which is more heat sensitive then your head.
What You Need
Liberty Grooming Beard Brush for the Modern Gentleman
$21.97 at Amazon.com
Mangroomer Professional Ionic Hair Dryer for Men
$39.39 at Amazon.com
Maintain Your Beard
- Step 1: Apply A Moisturizer: You want to keep the beard and face skin hydrated. A moisturizer will also tame stray hairs to maintain a freshly groomed look. The two most popular options are beard oils and beard balms. Most guys stick with balms for their strong hold and others prefer oils since they’re lighter and lay hair naturally. Preference doesn’t matter.
- Step 2: Comb It Out: A brush comb can be a beard’s best comrade, especially right after a fresh wash. Its best to comb from the top down to the bottom and from the sides to center. Follow the pattern in which hair flows by starting with the wider spaced-teeth area of the comb first. Then switch to the smaller teeth for detangling.
- Step 3: Trim It For Style: Now that you’re all cleaned up, time to get “photoshoot fresh” like Jay Z would say. Choice of style really comes down to the shape of your head, along with the features of your face. Grab a beard trimmer, pick the right length comb, and remove unwanted wild hairs and grays, while cleaning up the neckline.
What You Need
Jack Black Epic Moisture MP 10 Nourishing Oil
$32.00 at Amazon.com
Scotch Porter All Natural Men's Beard Balm
$20.00 at Amazon.com
Mojaworks Plush Microfiber Face Cloth
$18.04 at Amazon.com
Braun Multi Grooming Kit MGK3060
$38.27 at Amazon.com
How Often Should You Wash It?
Grooming experts refer to your beard as a hot spot, meaning it’s a feature on your face that draws instant attention and deserves to be kempt. Washing it is just as much of an important chore as brushing your teeth or changing your undies. We don’t recommend doing it every day because too much of anything is never good.
Washing daily can strip away natural oils that you need for healthy hair growth. Doing it at least 2-3 times a week is perfect unless you work in dirty environments and need to run a quick rinse through the bush. If that’s the case, look to use something completely natural that replaces moisturizer and nutrients. Be sure to follow the proper beard care techniques when putting together a routine because everyone’s process to achieving their best-looking beard differs.
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