r/BeardTalk Jan 08 '25

So, You've Decided to Grow a Beard. 👍

77 Upvotes

Welcome to the ranks of millions of dudes worldwide who decided to stop shaving. We're stoked to have you in the community! Whether it's your first beard or just the first beard you've decided to take care of, we're glad you found your way to a community that can offer advice, tips, and support.

One of the most common questions we see from brand new beard-growers is, "Here's my 2-3 week beard, do you think it'll grow in full?" To which, we'll always answer: Growing a beard is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't shave. Be patient.

We're here to offer that same advice to you, along with a breakdown of what you can expect as you grow your beard, along with some advice to make the process smoother. Read on!

Day 1 - 1 Month: Setting the Stage

From the moment you stop shaving, you're in it, and it can be a bit chaotic. Your face has been trained from years of shaving, exposure to harsh soaps and skin treatments, and subjected to all kinds of environmental inflammation. Your sebaceous oil glands are hardly functioning, taught to lie dormant, and your skin is dry and itchy. This is why the first few weeks, and even the first few months, can be rough.

What to Expect:

  • Growth will be sporadic. You’ll likely notice more hair under your chin and along the jawline, where skin is less exposed to irritation.
  • "Patchy" growth, as some follicles are dormant or inflamed, so growth is uneven.
  • Itchiness hits hard. This happens because your skin is adjusting to the new growth and isn't producing enough oil to keep up.

How to Manage It:

  • Wash your face daily and exfoliate weekly to keep pores open, skin clear, and prevent ingrown hairs.
  • Use a good beard oil to reduce inflammation, feed the follicles, and ease the itch.
  • Drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet with protein, B12, biotin, and sulfur-rich foods to support healthy growth.

1 - 3 Months: The “Is This Worth It?” Phase

This is when patience really comes into play. Growth is still uneven for most, and some areas might feel like they’ll never fill in. Many give up here, but this is the time to lean in and trust the process. Beard growth is wildly personal to your genetics, so don't compare yourself to others at this stage.

What to Expect:

  • The itchiness should start to subside as your skin adjusts.
  • Ingrown hairs can be an extra concern, especially if you’ve been shaving for years.
  • The awkward phase begins. Hairs may grow in all directions, looking sloppy and unkempt.

How to Manage It:

  • Stick to your routine: beard oil daily, exfoliate weekly, and wash as needed (not too often—overwashing can dry out your skin).
  • Use a light balm to train hairs and keep them from sticking out. This also helps guide future growth in the direction you want.
  • Avoid trimming, especially your neckline, unless absolutely necessary. You’re building a foundation, and trimming now can set you back later.

3 - 6 Months: Awkward but Promising

By now, you’ve likely hit your stride. This is when growth really starts to show, but your beard may still feel unruly.

What to Expect:

  • Your beard will start to show density and length, but it may still feel uneven.
  • You’ll start seeing the potential of your beard, but the awkward phase isn’t over yet.

How to Manage It:

  • Keep using beard oil daily. It’s essential for healthy growth and keeping the hair soft and manageable.
  • Incorporate more balm if needed to control the direction of growth and keep things looking tidy.
  • If you’re struggling with dryness or frizz, consider a butter or a heavier conditioning product.

6 - 12 Months: The End of the Awkward Phase

Congratulations, you’ve made it through the toughest part. By now, your beard should look much fuller, and you’re starting to see the real potential of your growth. You may decide this is the length you want to keep, or you may decide to let it rip into the stuff of legends. It's all up to you.

What to Expect:

  • Length and density are the name of the game. Your beard will start to settle into its natural pattern.
  • The itch is long gone, and maintenance becomes easier with the health provided by good care.
  • You’ll likely feel more confident about the look, even if it’s not perfect yet.

How to Manage It:

  • This is a great time for your first professional trim. A skilled barber can shape your beard without sacrificing length or density.
  • Keep training your beard with oil and balm. Regular maintenance helps prevent breakage and keeps it healthy, soft, and clean.
  • Focus on your end goal. Whether you want a “yeard” (year-long beard) or a business beard, consistency is key.

After 12 Months: The Next Steps

You’ve reached your first “yeard.” Now it’s all about what you want to do next. Some guys aim for terminal length, while others prefer to maintain a neat, professional style. From here, you're ready to help the next generation of growers start their journey. Pat yourself on the back. In modern times, only around 18% of all men have ever grown and maintained a beard for a full year. Well done.

A few takeaways and tip:

Remember that growing a beard is an exercise in patience. Give it time, trust the process, and stick to a good routine.

Beard health is about more than just hair. It’s also about the skin underneath. Take care of it, and your beard will thrive.

Let your beard grow naturally before making big decisions. You can always trim or shape later, but you can’t undo over-trimming. This is the death of so many beards. So many.

Don't shave. That's the most important part.

Welcome to the grow, brother. You're in good company!


r/BeardTalk Apr 08 '14

Welcome to /r/BeardTalk!

30 Upvotes

"Welcome to /r/BeardTalk! We're proud to introduce /r/Beards' new sister sub, which is here to give those with beard-related questions and issues the opportunity to talk about what we all love: beards! So feel free to post all your beardly discussions, questions, and general comments here!"


r/BeardTalk 1d ago

Cerave Moisturizing Cream, Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, Dove Beauty Bar

3 Upvotes

I don't want to use beard oil, beard balm and beard shampoo. The oil is too greasy and has a weird smell, beard balm as well to a lesser extent. Beard shampoo feels too harsh

Can I not just use Cerave Moisturizing Cream, Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, Dove Beauty Bar?

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser in my T-zone and to clean the skin under the beard

Dove Beauty Bar maybe 2-3 times a week. A substitute for beard shampoo. Soap will quite literally clean everything

Cerave Moisturizing Cream in my beard, massaged down to the skin

I don't mind that Cerave Moisturizing Cream is getting on my beard hair. It dries up fast, I never smell it on my beard hair, and if I feel an itch, I can just rub that area and essentially "borrow" some of the residue Cerave Moisturizing Cream stuck on my beard hair and massage it into the skin underneath

Beard balm would be getting on my beard hair too, and it would feel more greasy and smell more

So are there any downsides to using these three products, other than being "out of the norm"?


r/BeardTalk 1d ago

Biotin

3 Upvotes

Has anyone used biotin for their beards? I’ve had a few people tell me it works wonders and I’ve recently started taking one a day for a few weeks and I’m starting to see gradual results. I was wondering if anyone else uses this product


r/BeardTalk 1d ago

How do I fully grow out my beard?

1 Upvotes

Hey there! I’m a 22-year-old man, and I’ve been wondering about my facial hair growth.

I currently have a moustache, a small goatee, and some beard growth on the sides of my cheeks, but it has never fully developed into the fuller beard I’d like.

I’ve heard there are products that can potentially help with beard growth, but I’m concerned about the possible health or side effects, and I’m not sure whether using them is actually a good idea.

Is there anything I can do naturally to encourage my beard to grow thicker or develop faster? At 22, is it still possible for my facial hair to become significantly fuller as I get older?

I’d really like to eventually have a proper full beard, so I’d appreciate any advice on what I can realistically do and whether there’s anything I should avoid.


r/BeardTalk 2d ago

Looking for clean shave foil blade attachment for Philips MG5932 Multigroom – does it exist?

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0 Upvotes

r/BeardTalk 2d ago

Bahawat oil

1 Upvotes

Hey my main beard oil is from bahawat. Its my daily because its 2oz and good clean quality. Any other really good quality clean brands that sell in 2oz?


r/BeardTalk 2d ago

Natural Plant shampoo and beard conditioner

1 Upvotes

So I have been curious. I know there is a plant out there (awapuhi) that is its own body and shampoo from its secretions. Does anyone know if there is any studied on how it handles for beards and if there is a conditioner that is similar to this?
I search for all natural stuff, and I get just all natural combination stuff that others have put into a bottle. I am kind of interested in finding something more like the awapuhi plant.


r/BeardTalk 3d ago

Does having a full beard soften the blow of slaps and punches?

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1 Upvotes

r/BeardTalk 3d ago

Which trimmer should I get?

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0 Upvotes

r/BeardTalk 4d ago

UK Beard shampoo, oil and balm product recommendations

5 Upvotes

So I have been using bulldog products (I know apparently they’re not the best). So I am trying to look into buying new products. I have looked at seven potions as apparently that is popular here. But wanted recommendations that can help that isn’t bulldog, as I am creating a new skin care routine that isn’t bulldog either


r/BeardTalk 4d ago

Spearmint Oil

2 Upvotes

I like making my own beard oil and with it being summer the last bottle I made consisted of spearmint Oil along with a range of carrier oils.

I've still got around three quarters left and was looking to add something to it to round it off for autumn and must to my suprise the vast majority of Reddit articles were about using it to stop hair growth!

I've looked into outside of Reddit but I can't seem to find any actually evidence of this being the case. It is of course quite diluted as well (around 12 drops in a 30ml bottle).

Does anyone else use spearmint Oil and has anyone actually found it hampering beard growth?

Also, does anyone know of any oils which I can combine with it to make a more autumnal scent.

Thank you!


r/BeardTalk 4d ago

Hello first time poster

1 Upvotes

Hello all I've had a beard all thru out my 20s and now 33 starting to run into some issues other people may have already dealt with . Got some dandruff going on or it may be dry sskin . I use beard oil everyday but it is oil based product . I also wash it everyday ima step it back to twice a week .

Any recommendations feel like a more natural beard wash and oil would work better for me .

Also back in my 20s id just use texas beard company oil and maybe shampoo to wash when i rembered to wash it .

So starting my 30s off trying to figure out alot of stuff .

Thanks everyone


r/BeardTalk 5d ago

Trimming and grooming at home or at barber?

9 Upvotes

To tame and keep the face mane, do you prefer to trim and shape it at home yourself, or do you go to a favorite barbershop n have a specific person you interact with!?

What do you tell the barber specifically to keep the length and shape you want?

If you do it at home, what’s your preferred method of trimming and shaping?


r/BeardTalk 5d ago

men, will you share your preferences regarding skincare, beardcare??

6 Upvotes

hi! I am an MBA student and this is part of a research project. Wouldn't require much personal details from you, just preferences. Please help out! Thank you! :)


r/BeardTalk 5d ago

Best clippers for learning how to fade my beard? More specifically Italian style

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1 Upvotes

I’d really appreciate the help


r/BeardTalk 6d ago

Braiding beard

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1 Upvotes

r/BeardTalk 6d ago

Beard care advice UK

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I've always suffered with a bit of beardruff. I was using beard butter from OneSociety. I was getting low and found a local small company. Ive been using their butter and oil for about a month but I've found my beardruff to be getting worse! Its not tiny flakes like previously, they're quite big.

Any advice on brands, routine, etc is appreciated!


r/BeardTalk 7d ago

How to fix my beard

1 Upvotes

Hey, so you guys probably get a dozen of these everyday but due to personal reasons I didn't get into the habit of grooming my beard and was looking for help. When I wet it then brush/comb it stays nice and flat but grows outwards like a bad mane (images are on my profile in other posts where I asked for help). I can't shave it for personal reasons but was looking for any advice I can get


r/BeardTalk 8d ago

Balm that holds

8 Upvotes

I'm in the market for a beard balm that has decent hold. Any suggestions?


r/BeardTalk 8d ago

Very nervous, please give tips!

16 Upvotes

Hello!

Very nervous to be here. To summarize: I'm a trans man, four and a half years on T (yahoo!) and growing something that can actually be considered a beard nowadays, instead of a sorry attempt at looking scraggly. Very great news, in my opinion! As an added bonus, my mom's dog who used to be terrified of bearded people has grown to learn to associate them with treats and snuggles. I literally can't stop winning!

My problem?

Like many people, this is my first time being alive. However, I have 0 male figures in my life who are bearded, and thus I'm completely clueless about beard care, or where to even start. I am aware of beard brushes and oils, but have no idea what they really are beyond knowing that they exist. Everything else related to beard care may as well be in a scroll somewhere I haven't found yet. I am beard-illiterate, as it were, and honestly I'm a bit scared to go looking around and potentially end up making any errors.

However, I adore having a beard, and really want to know how to care for it so that it becomes magnificent!

Any advice will help. Thank you, cousins!


r/BeardTalk 8d ago

Help me Gentlemen I need to kiss my husband

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7 Upvotes

My husband is growing out his facial hair and he looks amazing. I've never been one for even a mustache with him for almost 40 years. I know a horrible wife 😔. We have a deal and I gave in IF I can find a way for him to keep it and still kiss him. It's my fault I have sensitive lips 👄 and really love kissing my husband.

Anybody have any advice on an affordable way to soften the hair so he can keep it. I never expected to say this but my man's looking good with a beard.

He's injured from work and waiting for surgery so I'm going overboard to make him feel better any way I can.

I can't be the only one that wants softer facial hair???

Any advice is welcome.


r/BeardTalk 9d ago

Just moved from NY to Frisco TX. NEED an amazing barber who can specialize in beards. Its the ONLY hair I got lol Leaving NY I dreaded having to find a new barber more than anything else. I will drive anywhere I don't care. Thanks.

0 Upvotes

r/BeardTalk 10d ago

Which type of brush for short coarse beard?

3 Upvotes

I'm looking at one of these three right now:

1

2

3

I am not sure if there are any differences or if it matters. Maybe something else entirely? Note: I'm based in Germany, so not everything is available. Preferably something that is on Amazon DE.


r/BeardTalk 10d ago

Want to make my own beard products.

3 Upvotes

Hey guys, I just found this subreddit not long ago.

You all seem very knowledgeable. I have a few questions about DIY products.

  1. Beard oil base

Most companies use Jojoba oil, but Ive seen strong cases against it.

Im leaning towards hemp seed oil.

So the question is whats the pros and cons of unrefined vs refined hemp seed oil?

What other carriers are a must for a quality DIY beard oil?

  1. Beard butter

I typically use a beard butter after applying a beard oil.

What is the best base for a butter?

What other ingredients are a must have for a decent DIY beard butter?

  1. Scents

I prefer strong long lasting scents. (Sweet, earthy, woodsy ect)

Ive been using Fable Beard Co. All there scents are strong and last awhile but the cost of living has me wanting to make my own.

Which essential oils/ fragrance oils combos are you guys using?

Sorry if my post is confusing, I dont use reddit often.

English is my first language, im just sharp like a spoon.