According to dermatologist Dr. Jeffery Benabio, FAAD, all you need to grow a significant amount of facial hair is four to six weeks and adequate levels of testosterone. How fast your facial hair will grow is dependent in part on your genetics. Some men simply grow facial hair faster than other men. While genetics will always be a factor, there are several lifestyle measures and dietary additions you can make that can significantly help you grow more facial hair.
Step 1
Don't shave for four to six weeks. Hudson's Guide and Dr. Benabio state that shaving will not make your facial hair grow any faster or thicker. Although this is a popular theory, it is a misconception.
Step 2
Eat lean protein as part of a balanced diet. Facial hair is made of keratin protein. Your body needs an adequate supply of dietary protein to grow hair. The MayoClinic.com suggests that you get between 10 and 35 percent of your calories from protein. Good choices for lean protein include egg whites, non-fat milk, chicken, turkey, soy and fish.
Step 3
Take a multivitamin every morning. Malnutrition or a lack of vitamins and minerals can slow your facial hair growth. A multivitamin will ensure that you are getting the proper amount of nutrients everyday.
Step 4
Ask your doctor about a biotin or vitamin B7 supplement. Dr. Benabio recommends taking 2.5mg of biotin daily to support healthy facial hair growth and maintenance. The University of Maryland Medical Center also confirms the link between healthy hair growth and biotin.
Step 5
Massage shampoo into your facial hair. Dr. Benabio recommends using a dandruff shampoo, like Head and Shoulders, two or three days a week on your facial hair. This will relieve any itching that you may be experiencing as well as stimulating circulation to your facial hair follicles.
Step 6
Avoid emotional stress as much as you can. According to The University of Alabama at Birmingham and Columbia University in New York City, excessive stress can cause hairs to enter their resting phase and shed prematurely. Stress can significantly tax and compromise your immune system which results in slower hair growth.
Tips and Warnings
- Try to get your protein from food sources before considering supplements. You may want to consider exercising, weight training or doing yoga to relieve stress before restoring to prescription drugs.
- If you are a vegetarian, you are especially susceptible to having a protein deficiency according to Vanderbilt University. Keep a food log to see if you are consuming an adequate amount of protein. You can also consider a taking a protein supplement. Please consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.
Things You'll Need
- Multivitamin
- Biotin dietary supplement
References
- The Dermatology Blog; How to Grow a Beard
- Hudson's Guide: Facial Hair, Growth and Grooming
- Beards.org: All About Beards: Growing a Beard
- MayoClinic.com: How Much Water Should You Drink Every Day?
- Vanderbilt University: Vegetarianism; the Pros and Cons of a Meatless Diet
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin H (Biotin)
Member Comments