Dermatologist Dr. Jeffery Benabio reports that growing a significant amount of facial hair takes commitment, patience and adequate levels of testosterone. It will also take at least four weeks of your time. Hudson's Guide and Dr. Benabio suggest not shaving because contrary to popular belief, shaving will not improve the thickness or your facial hair or the rate at which it grows. There are several lifestyle and dietary additions you can make that will help you grow a significant amount of facial hair at a faster rate.
Step 1
Ask your physician to recommend a multivitamin. A multivitamin will provide any vitamins or minerals that you are lacking. Even if you eat a balanced diet, daily fluctuations in food choices and food quality can result in minor nutritional deficiencies. Malnutrition will hinder your facial hair growth.
Step 2
Ask your physician to recommend a biotin supplement. Dr. Benabio suggests taking 2.5 mg of a biotin supplement each day. Biotin is mandatory for healthy and optimal hair growth according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Step 3
Consume lean protein as part of a balanced diet. Hair is made of protein. Your body requires protein to make facial hair. If you have a protein deficiency, your hair growth can be severely impaired. The Mayo Clinic claims that 10 to 35 percent of your calories should come from protein sources. You will want to aim for the higher percentage to maximize your hair growth.
Step 4
Use shampoo your facial hair a couple times a week. Dr. Benabio suggests using a dandruff shampoo on your beard two to three times a week. This will improve circulation to your facial hair and help relieve any itching that your facial hair is causing you.
Step 5
Drink water. Water detoxifies your body and transports nutrients to cells. It is required for proper hair growth and maintenance. The Mayo Clinic suggests at least 13 cups of water for adult males.
Tips and Warnings
- Try to get your protein from solid foods before considering a protein supplement. Lean sources of protein include: fish, chicken, egg whites, soy and skim milk.
- Dr. Benario warns against applying minoxidil or Rogaine to your face as minoxidil is only FDA-approved to treat alopecia and grow scalp hair. Ingesting minoxidil can lead to a very unsafe drop in blood pressure.
Things You'll Need
- Multivitamin
- Biotin Supplement
References
- The Dermatology Blog; Dr. Jeffery Benabio, MD, FAAD.: How to Grow a Beard in 10 Easy Steps
- Hudson's Guide: Facial Hair, Growth and Grooming
- Beards.org: All About Beards: Growing a Beard
- Mayo Clinic: How Much Water Should You Drink Every Day?
- Mayo Clinic: Healthy Diet: End the Guesswork with These Nutrition Guidelines
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin H (Biotin)
Member Comments