Beards visibly differentiate males from females, by masking emotions, providing warmth, and shielding the skin from the elements. A quick google search online reveals the endless benefits of growing a beard.
However, for some men, the ability to grow a thick, full beard is a challenge. Blame it on genetics, skin conditions, or even a diet that lowers testosterone levels. But what can you do to help your beard growth?
In this article, we will look at the common cause of beard hair loss and what you can do to boost and stimulate beard growth with essential oils and other natural oils.
What can beards say about you?
Let's face it, the ability to grow a beard is a sign of physical maturity in men, it is naturally associated with age and dominance. A number of studies suggest that both men and women find that men with beards appear older, stronger and more aggressive than non-bearded men.
Evolutionary theorists questioned why do men grow beards? Is it vanity? Dominance? Laziness? Or some other reason altogether? New research shows that beards likely evolved to help men boost their standing amongst other men.
But why is it that YOU cannot grow a beard regardless of the "evolution of growing a beard"?
Causes of Beard Hair Loss
Alopecia Barbae
Alopecia Barbae is an autoimmune disease that causes beard hair loss. This means your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles. Typically, Alopecia barbae comes on suddenly and you begin losing beard hair in small circular patches.
Although alopecia of the beard does not pose a serious health risk, you should speak with your doctor for possible treatments and emotional support
Testosterone and DHT Levels
Guys naturally produce the male hormone known as dihydrotestosterone or DHT. It's actually a byproduct of testosterone and is an important hormone for helping you to form male sex characteristics.
However, DHT can cause hair loss by binding to your hair follicles. Once it’s bound to your hair follicles, DHT causes the follicle to shrink and weaken, slowing down hair growth and eventually stopping the follicle from producing new hairs.
This process is called ‘miniaturization,’ and it eventually leads to a complete end of hair growth in DHT-affected hair follicles.
Stress
Far from being just an annoyance, stress is a serious health problem that can affect everything from your immune system to the thickness of your beard.
If you’ve been working long hours, rushing to meet deadlines or dealing with other aspects of a stressful work environment, there’s a possibility that stress from your job could have a negative impact on your beard.
The best solution is to reduce stress levels, either through a holistic approach like aromatherapy, lifestyle changes such as exercising, or seeking psychiatric help to treat the stress.
Consider using an all-natural way reduce stress by turning those stressful moments into blissful moments of calm with the help of MOXĒ Peace Nasal Inhaler. This carefully crafted blend is made with 100% pure essential oils like bergamot, mandarin, geranium and lime that is designed to provide instant stress relief. Breathe in the calm. Exhale stress.
Diet
Certain diets, particularly those with low amounts of vitamins and minerals, can cause your beard to experience hair loss prematurely. For example, study data
Most experts agree that a diet rich in protein, iron, omega-3 fatty acids,
Best Essential Oils For Beard Growth
Peppermint Oil For Beard Growth
Not only does its smell refreshing and minty, but peppermint oil can help with beard growth. Peppermint oil helps to stimulate better blood circulation beneath the skin. Essentially, the increase in blood flow helps bring more nutrients to the hair follicle, allowing it to grow in fuller, healthier, and faster.
In this recent study, it was found that a 3% peppermint oil solution promoted hair growth by inducing the early anagen stage (where hair grows and isn’t resting) and increased the vascularization of the epidermal glands.
Not only does peppermint oil promote the hair to grow faster and thicker, but it also increases the amount of activity of the hair follicles.
While hair follicles do not grow at the same rate or at the same time, it is possible for peppermint oil to kick start additional follicles into a growth phase. Which would make your beard appear thicker, faster, due to the increased hair follicle density.
Lavender Oil For Beard Growth
A versatile and popular essential oil, lavender has a calming fragrance and is particularly renowned for its ability to relax and promote restful sleep.
A 2016 study found that lavender oil applied to mice made them grow more hair. Their hair also grew thicker and faster than normal.
Not only does lavender oil provide hair growth stimulation but lavender oil also has antimicrobial properties which can help prevent bacteria and fungi from growing and damaging hair follicles.
Rosemary Oil For Beard Growth
Rosemary oil is another oil that may show some benefits for beard hair growth. In fact, a 2015 study showed that rosemary oil is potentially as powerful for promoting beard hair growth.
In addition to stimulating circulation that aids growth, rosemary oil is great for moisturizing the skin underneath the beard. Facial skin health is important because if the skin is not properly moisturized, dandruff or patches can develop, making the beard appear thin and unhealthy.
Carnosic acid, an active ingredient in the plant, healed tissue and nerve damage in one study. This ability to heal nerve endings may rejuvenate nerves in the scalp too, in turn possibly restoring hair growth.
Many experts describe rosemary essential oil as a hair loss restorative due to its circulation-improving effects.
Tea Tree Oil For Beard Growth
If you are finding dandruff from your beard, Tea Tree oil may be your best option to keep beard hair lost at bay.
Beard dandruff (sometimes called; beardruff) happens when you begin to have small flaky skin in the bear
There’s research out there that supports using tea tree oil for hair benefits. However, the research doesn’t show that Tea Tree helps hair grow more quickly. Rather, the oil may help with various hair conditions, which in turn allows hair to grow properly and stay healthy.
Tea Tree oil contains properties that fight bacteria as well as helping unclog pores on the scalp, which means tea tree oil can work to clear and strengthen the skin on the beard helping to prevent infections or conditions such as dandruff.
How To Use Essential Oils For Beard Growth
Carrier Oils
Before you go and buy these essential oils and apply them to your face, you have to remember to dilute before you use them. Remember, these are very concentrated oils and can irritate the skin if applied directly.
The best way to apply the essential oils to your beard is to dilute them in a carrier oil. Carrier oils not only dilute the concentrated oils like peppermint but can also provide moisturizing properties and antioxidants to your skin and beard.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a liquid wax and is very similar to the structure of sebum. It’s a rich oil that has a number of benefits for both your skin and beard:
- It helps to spread natural sebum oil throughout follicles, strengthening growth and lessening the grease.
- A natural moisturizer that keeps the skin saturated with hydration for a period of 24 hours.
- Anti-inflammatory properties that calm down inflamed skin and counteracts beard acne. Additionally, inflamed hair follicles are usually the cause of thin and weak hair growth. Jojoba fights this off.
- An antioxidant that clears your beard from infections that could affect your skin health.
Jojoba oil is unique in the way that it will help to both moisturize and minimize damage to your beard.
Coconut Oil
The oil itself which comes from the Cocos nucifera, can be used to help control unruly hairs and shape your beard. Hydrated and softer beards are easier to grow and will be much easier to manage.
The coconut smell is a fresh tropical breeze. It’s a natural scent that people will love. Here are some of its best health and grooming qualities:
- Coconut oil is made up of fatty acids that kill pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This could potentially help you ward off infections.
- Studies have shown that when it interacts with dry skin it helps to improve the moisture content and reduce eczema.
- The oil is another kind of protective agent that helps ward off hair damage from the sun. A study showed that it worked as a sunscreen, blocking 20% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Coconut oil helps to protect against skin damage and could even work to destroy harmful diseases.
DYI: Make Your Own Beard Growth Oil Blend
Ingredients
Makes 1 fl oz (30 ml)
| Jojoba oil | 2 tbsp |
| Rosemary essential oil | 3 drops |
| Peppermint essential oil | 1 drop |
| Lavender essential oil | 1 drop |
| Tea Tree essential oil | 1 drop |
How to make
1. Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl. Transfer to a clean dark-glass bottle and seal with a cap or dropper.
2. Massage gently into the beard in a circular motion. Store the remaining oil in a cool, dark place. Keeps for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
Essential Oils for beard growth can help to impart thickness and fullness and to ultimately encourage healthier growth that is free of dryness, irritation, and knots.
Furthermore, the added benefit of their natural inviting aromas helps make bearded men more approachable, especially to the touch, as the beard softens and takes on a more pleasant scent.
Peppermint oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, and tea tree oil are shown to be beneficial for growing a thick, full beard. However, you should always dilute these concentrated oils before you apply directly to your skin.
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