For some men, a beard seems to appear overnight, whilst for others, it can take what seems like forever just get a five o’clock shadow.
Understanding how your garden grows can help you to grow the beard you want and know how to care for it.
There is a common misconception that beard growth is linked to testosterone, but this is rarely a contributing factor.1 The extent to which your beard grows is more often linked to genetics, so look at your father and grandfather for a clue on what to expect.
The hair grows from the follicle, which is found beneath the skin and produces not only the hair shaft but also the oils that help to keep your hair healthy. The hair shaft is made from a protein called keratin and grows in cycles which will vary from person to person.2
When you start the growing process, it may look like you will finish up with a patchy beard. You need to give your beard time to thicken, as it will fill in the patches eventually.