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LONG or short, sparse or bushy, the length and thickness of your beard may not matter as much as you think when it comes to maintenance.
Beards of all shapes and sizes require some maintenance for optimal appearance and health.
That said, the amount of maintenance you’ll need to do to will depend on your beard goals.
Other important factors include the speed of your hair growth and texture, which varies from person to person, thanks to genetics, age, and overall health.
Below, you’ll find essential do’s and don’ts for maintaining some healthy and seriously swoon-worthy whiskers.
Wash your beard two-three times per week
It might go without saying that nobody wants a dirty beard. Still, unless you expose your whiskers to a lot of dust or dirt, or you find them especially sticky or messy after a spill, you don’t need to wash your beard daily.
Washing your beard two or three times per week and maintaining other good grooming habits, like regular brushing, can keep your beard clean.
Don’t overwash your whiskers
Gentle is the name of the game when it comes to washing your beard.
Go easy on your beard and skin by:
using a gentle beard wash or shampoo.
avoiding washing your beard too frequently.
avoiding overzealous scrubbing.
Washing too much, or too roughly, can cause your beard and the skin under it to dry out, which can lead to itching and irritation.
Consider your skin type
Let your skin type guide you when it comes to maintaining your beard.
Here’s how to determine your skin type.
In other words, you might wash your beard and face more frequently if you have oily skin, but less frequently if your skin tends to be fairly dry.
It also helps to keep your skin type in mind when choosing products. For example, if you have sensitive skin, you might opt for fragrance-free products.
If you’re prone to acne, you might avoid beard oil and other oil-based skin products, for that matter.
Moisturise your beard
Moisturising is an important step in maintaining a healthy beard since it can help prevent irritation and dryness.
A dry beard will feel prickly and rough against the skin. Plus, it might also have a dull appearance and become harder to manage.
Trim your beard regularly
Even if the beard of your dreams is a long, bushy, Gandalf-esque beard, you’ll benefit from regular trimming.
Pruning helps you:
maintain your beard’s shape and length.
stay on top of split ends to keep your beard healthy.
keep your moustache in check.
A lot of folks with beards prefer to keep the ‘stache above the lip, which will require regular trimming.
Otherwise, how often you trim your beard and how much you take off depends on how fast your hair grows and where you are in the growing process.
As a general rule of thumb, trim your beard roughly every four weeks if you’re trying to grow it out. If you want to maintain your length, aim to trim every seven to 10 days.
If you need some guidance on shaping and trimming, consider getting a professional beard trim and then following the lines for your next trim at home.
Don’t forget to show your neckline some love
Chances are, your facial hair grows past your neckline.
While it’s totally up to you where you define your neckline, most barbers say it lies roughly two fingers above the Adam’s apple, if you have one, or where your neck meets the underside of your face.
Shaving below the neckline helps keep your beard looking tidy and prevents a neck beard, so it’s an important part of the process, even if you want to grow out your beard.
Pamper the sensitive skin in this area by applying shaving cream gel, or oil and then shaving with the grain, not against it. Always use a sharp blade to minimize irritation and ingrown hairs.
Choose the right tools for the job
If you plan to keep a beard for the long haul, you may want to consider investing in some quality tools.
That said, you don’t have to break the bank just to maintain your beard.
There’s no need to purchase every beard tool and gadget on the market.
The bottom line
Committed to the beard life? Just remember, a little maintenance can go a long way towards helping you grow and keep a lush, healthy beard.
There’s no single correct approach to beard maintenance, so some experimentation can help you find a beard care routine that works for you. — healthline.com.
Online Reporter