There comes a time in a man’s life when questioning “How do I grow a beard?” arises. You may have just experienced a hastening of natural growth, you may have simply just moved to East London. For many of us it’s just a glimmer of a thought, for others however this urge can turn into an obsession.
Most of us have certainly tried to grow a beard. For many who have attempted, it may just not have worked out the first time. You were young, you were silly and it truly did look awful didn’t it? Getting back on the horse further down the line however is something that Dappermore truly advocate.
Beards enhance confidence, allow men to stand out and can even define careers. They unite men socially – have done for years and essentially represent a right of passage in the marathon that is life. It is something that some manage to achieve seemingly easier than others. This is, however by no means due to a natural difference in hair type or skin tone as commonly believed. As you will soon discover, it is all down to a crucial difference in approach and attitude.
1 – Start from afresh
If you’re looking to start growing a new beard, be sure to start from nothing. Set aside some time and have a proper shave so that your skin is fresh and well treated. This will minimise any early signs of irritation and underlying skin problems.
Remember that thorough preparation is crucial in regards to how your skin will respond to your blade. Before shaving you should wash your face using Cleansing Facial Wash to cleanse pores of excess oils, dirt and dead skin. After gently drying your face, applying Pre-Shave Oil will help soften facial hair and nourish the skin ahead of applying your Shave Cream lather and beginning to work with your blade.
2 – Persistence – Overcome the itch!
Your beard may be itchy for the first two weeks or even up to the first month and a half of growth.
Primarily caused by a daily accumulation of dirt, dead skin cells and dehydration, the levels of discomfort endured can be a struggle – even a few day’s worth of stubble can be enough to spur irritation. It’s also important to remember that no matter how clean you keep newly grown facial hair, natural itchiness as part of your bearded initiation will occur, generally caused by new hair’s capability of collecting rogue dirt. It won’t last forever however.
Products such as Beard Moisturiser and Beard Oil can be used to combat this, but the main thing to remember is that the itchiness will eventually leave. You realistically want to grow your beard for about three months before you can appreciate its true potential and the true fullness. Be sure to also read the Dappermore Barbers’ expert 3-step grooming guide, guaranteed to help treat immense levels of irritation.
3 – Find a shape that suits you
There is always the temptation caused by beard envy to hack away and try something that really just looks better on your mate or that model. Different shapes suit different beards however and there are all kinds of charts that can help you look for realistic inspiration and facial comparisons. Ideally though, you should pop in to your local Dappermore branch and get some professional advice from one of our expert barbers. Once you’ve decided where you want to go with your beard, stick to it.