After a decade of clean-shaven faces dominating magazine covers and billboards, fuller beards are making a comeback and how. Beard grooming is to men what contouring is to makeup - proper placement of this facial furniture can help enhance and define your features. However, sporting a full, properly-shaped and even beard is easier said than done. A patchy beard - facial beard with visibly sparse areas - can come between you and a sharp look. Factors like genetics, hormonal imbalances, poor nutrition, excessive stress or certain medical conditions can contribute to patchiness in facial hair growth. If you struggle to grow out a full growth that even Jason Momoa will be proud of, we’ve got some tips.
How to fix a patchy beard
1. Elevate your skincare & beard care routine:
An impressive beard takes time to become so, and a consistent routine is what gets you there. Your beard will only be as nourished as your skin - so make sure you’re following a thorough skincare routine. Proper cleansing, moisturising and sun protection will maintain optimum skin condition to help support proper beard growth.
One of the top patchy beard growth tips includes adding beard oils and balms to your daily routine. They can help moisturise and condition your beard, reduce dryness and keep itchiness at bay. They further help tame unruly beard hair for a more polished appearance. Enriched with vitamin E, jojoba oil, and rosemary extracts, beard growth oils help speed up the process.
2. Experiment with beard styles:
Take some time to decode your facial hair growth pattern and adopt a style that best suits that. Trendy styles like a teased goatee, lightly grown-out stubble, or other shorter beard lengths are known to provide a more uniform look. To make this easier, consult a professional barber for personalised advice. They can even propose precise grooming techniques or products that suit your unique needs.
3. Be wary of over-grooming:
Unlike the hair on your head, beards do not adhere to the rule of regular trims to help with faster growth. Avoid over-trimming or shaving too frequently, as this can hinder the natural hair growth process and even possibly exacerbate patchiness. A great way to fix a patchy beard is to allow it to grow and fill in naturally.
4. Supplement the growth from the inside out:
Given the structural nature of hair, supplementing it with a balanced diet that includes plenty of protein, vitamins, and minerals is essential to ensure proper growth. If your diet preferences permit, consume foods like eggs, nuts, spinach, and sweet potatoes regularly. They can all help nourish hair follicles and provide the building blocks of a full beard. Ensure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water to support healthy hair growth.
5. Give it time:
Patchy areas in your beard may just mean a slower hair growth cycle. So, be patient and give your beard time to grow. Don’t be surprised if it takes several weeks or even months to fill in completely. In the meantime, you can shape, style and tease your beard hair to help it look fuller and more even. With time, proper care and regular routines, your patchy beard should even out and stay full.
In conclusion, while everyday routine changes and lifestyle upgrades can help fill the gaps, it’s essential to consult an expert about persistent patchiness, which can be caused by underlying health issues that need proper care.
