Growing a glorious beard is something lots of us wish for, but how many of us can achieve it? You may have cultivated an amazing beard, but it’s started to feel thinner or you’re noticing more hair loss than usual. While some shedding is natural, excessive hair loss could indicate underlying issues that need attention. So, let’s explore some ways to strengthen that beard and minimise the risk of hair loss.
How Does Beard Hair Loss Work?
Just like the hair on your scalp, beard hair goes through growth cycles—anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). During the telogen phase, it’s normal to shed a small amount of hair. However, losing a lot of hair can be caused by factors such as hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, skin conditions, and even poor grooming practices. Many believe that shaving can make your beard grow faster, but this is simply a myth.
A condition known as androgenic alopecia, which affects the hair on your head, may also influence beard thinning for men with a genetic predisposition. Similarly, stress and testosterone fluctuations can cause beard hair to weaken and fall out. Understanding the root cause of beard hair loss will help you take the most suitable steps forward.
Tips for Preventing Beard Hair Loss
Your beard needs as much love and attention as the hair on your head. Hairs may be coarser but they still need to be cared for and here’s how:
Nourish your beard (and your body)
The health of your beard is directly connected to your overall health. Just as poor nutrition can lead to thinning hair on your scalp, it can also affect your beard. Keep on top of your diet and your beard will thank you for it. Remember to:
- Keep them protein levels up: hair is made of keratin which is a protein. A diet high in lean meats, fish, eggs or plant-based proteins such as tofu will help boost the health of your beard.
- Avoid nutrient deficiencies: Vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as biotin and zinc, are important for hair growth and strength. Deficiencies in these nutrients can result in brittle beard hair.
- Drink water: keeping your skin hydrated is important for beard health, as dryness can lead to breakages. Make sure you have your daily recommended water intake at least.
Invest in beard-friendly products
Using the wrong grooming products can weaken your beard and irritate it. Opt for beard-specific shampoos, conditioners and oils to enhance the strength of your facial hair. You can also make your own natural products and then you know exactly what you’re using to keep your beard looking its best. Make sure to avoid products with harsh chemicals, sulphates and alcohol as they can dehydrate the beard hair and lead to hair loss.
Keep on top of trims and brush that beard
Regular maintenance can keep your beard healthy and reduce the risk of hair loss. Trimming your beard every few weeks helps prevent split ends, which can cause the hair to break and fall out. You can book in with your barber as regularly as you like to ensure your beard is always looking fresh or you can do the occasional trim at home if you feel confident to do so.
Brushing your beard regularly also stimulates blood circulation in the skin, encouraging hair growth and evenly distributing your beard’s natural oils. Strike a balance so you avoid over-brushing, which can cause unnecessary friction and lead to thinning hair.
Manage stress
Chronic stress is linked to hair loss, and it’s not limited to the hair on your head. Stress disrupts the normal growth cycle of your hair and can result in excessive shedding, and the condition known as telogen effluvium.
Everyone has their own approach to managing stress, whether that’s taking some time out of work, regular meditation time or a session in the gym. Recognising signs of stress and burnout can help you to act quickly before it begins to affect your beard.
Wash, but not too much
Overwashing is as bad as overbrushing for your beard. It can strip your beard of essential oils which keep your hair and skin properly hydrated. Washing your beard too often will leave it dried out, and frizzy and potentially lead to breakage. Wash 2-3 times a week unless you feel excessively dirty and really need to give it another go.
How’s your skin?
Sometimes beard hair loss is a sign of an underlying skin condition, such as seborrheic dermatitis or an infection. Conditions like this can irritate the skin and cause the hair to weaken and fall out. Any unusual redness, swelling or scaling on the skin beneath your beard warrants a trip to your doctor to check for any skin complaints.
Boss your beard with Chaps & Co
Keeping your beard at its best and minimising hair loss doesn’t have to be too much hard work. You may have a little detective work to do if there’s an underlying issue at play, but for most guys, a good grooming routine and keeping on top of your trims is enough to keep that beard looking amazing. Book in for your next beard trim at Chaps today.
Growing a glorious beard is something lots of us wish for, but how many of us can achieve it? You may have cultivated an amazing beard, but it’s started to feel thinner or you’re noticing more hair loss than usual. While some shedding is natural, excessive hair loss could indicate underlying issues that need attention. So, let’s explore some ways to strengthen that beard and minimise the risk of hair loss.
How Does Beard Hair Loss Work?
Just like the hair on your scalp, beard hair goes through growth cycles—anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). During the telogen phase, it’s normal to shed a small amount of hair. However, losing a lot of hair can be caused by factors such as hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, skin conditions, and even poor grooming practices. Many believe that shaving can make your beard grow faster, but this is simply a myth.
A condition known as androgenic alopecia, which affects the hair on your head, may also influence beard thinning for men with a genetic predisposition. Similarly, stress and testosterone fluctuations can cause beard hair to weaken and fall out. Understanding the root cause of beard hair loss will help you take the most suitable steps forward.
Tips for Preventing Beard Hair Loss
Your beard needs as much love and attention as the hair on your head. Hairs may be coarser but they still need to be cared for and here’s how:
Nourish your beard (and your body)
The health of your beard is directly connected to your overall health. Just as poor nutrition can lead to thinning hair on your scalp, it can also affect your beard. Keep on top of your diet and your beard will thank you for it. Remember to:
- Keep them protein levels up: hair is made of keratin which is a protein. A diet high in lean meats, fish, eggs or plant-based proteins such as tofu will help boost the health of your beard.
- Avoid nutrient deficiencies: Vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as biotin and zinc, are important for hair growth and strength. Deficiencies in these nutrients can result in brittle beard hair.
- Drink water: keeping your skin hydrated is important for beard health, as dryness can lead to breakages. Make sure you have your daily recommended water intake at least.
Invest in beard-friendly products
Using the wrong grooming products can weaken your beard and irritate it. Opt for beard-specific shampoos, conditioners and oils to enhance the strength of your facial hair. You can also make your own natural products and then you know exactly what you’re using to keep your beard looking its best. Make sure to avoid products with harsh chemicals, sulphates and alcohol as they can dehydrate the beard hair and lead to hair loss.
Keep on top of trims and brush that beard
Regular maintenance can keep your beard healthy and reduce the risk of hair loss. Trimming your beard every few weeks helps prevent split ends, which can cause the hair to break and fall out. You can book in with your barber as regularly as you like to ensure your beard is always looking fresh or you can do the occasional trim at home if you feel confident to do so.
Brushing your beard regularly also stimulates blood circulation in the skin, encouraging hair growth and evenly distributing your beard’s natural oils. Strike a balance so you avoid over-brushing, which can cause unnecessary friction and lead to thinning hair.
Manage stress
Chronic stress is linked to hair loss, and it’s not limited to the hair on your head. Stress disrupts the normal growth cycle of your hair and can result in excessive shedding, and the condition known as telogen effluvium.
Everyone has their own approach to managing stress, whether that’s taking some time out of work, regular meditation time or a session in the gym. Recognising signs of stress and burnout can help you to act quickly before it begins to affect your beard.
Wash, but not too much
Overwashing is as bad as overbrushing for your beard. It can strip your beard of essential oils which keep your hair and skin properly hydrated. Washing your beard too often will leave it dried out, and frizzy and potentially lead to breakage. Wash 2-3 times a week unless you feel excessively dirty and really need to give it another go.
How’s your skin?
Sometimes beard hair loss is a sign of an underlying skin condition, such as seborrheic dermatitis or an infection. Conditions like this can irritate the skin and cause the hair to weaken and fall out. Any unusual redness, swelling or scaling on the skin beneath your beard warrants a trip to your doctor to check for any skin complaints.
Boss your beard with Chaps & Co
Keeping your beard at its best and minimising hair loss doesn’t have to be too much hard work. You may have a little detective work to do if there’s an underlying issue at play, but for most guys, a good grooming routine and keeping on top of your trims is enough to keep that beard looking amazing. Book in for your next beard trim at Chaps today.
