Men’s Facial Hair Growth Cycle

by Jay Kang | Posted on February 8th, 2023
hair growth

Are you looking to grow a mustache or beard but don’t know where to begin? Or maybe you already have facial hair but want to learn more about the growth cycle.


Either way, this blog post is for you! We’ll review everything you need about the men’s facial hair growth cycle. So grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get started.

Beard Growth Cycle

Beard growth is a complex process that starts with anagen, the growth phase. During this phase, hair grows approximately 1cm every 28 days for up to four years. After this, the catagen phase begins.

This is a transitional period where the hair follicles shrink, and the hair’s root moves closer to the skin’s surface. This lasts about two weeks before the telogen phase, where hair stops growing and rests for 2-3 months.

The last stage is exogen when old hairs are shed to make way for new ones. Factors such as hormones, genetics, and stress levels can affect facial hair growth and can be managed by eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress.

The Four Phases of Facial Hair Growth

The three phases of facial hair growth are anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen.

Hair growth. anagen is the growth phase; catagen is the regressing phase; and telogen, the resting or quiescent phase. Vector diagram

The Anagen Phase – The Growth Phase

The Anagen Phase, or growth phase, is the longest and most active stage of the men’s facial hair growth cycle. It is during this phase that the follicles of facial hair start to produce new hairs and grow. The average length of the anagen phase is between two and six years, although it can occasionally last for much longer.

The new hairs will grow during the anagen phase until they reach their maximum length. Factors such as nutrition, age, and genetics can influence how long the anagen phase lasts for each individual. Moreover, there are a few ways to stimulate faster beard growth during this stage of the cycle.

Eating a balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals can help promote healthy facial hair growth. In addition, exercising regularly can increase blood circulation to your facial hair follicles, helping to speed up the process. Finally, beard oil or balm can help nourish your facial hair and stimulate faster beard growth during the anagen phase.

The Catagen Phase – The Transitional Phase

After the anagen phase, the hair cycle enters a short transitional phase known as the catagen phase. This signals the end of active hair growth and marks the beginning of the next stage of hair growth.

During this period, the hair follicle shrinks, and the papilla detaches from the base of the follicle. This process usually takes two to three weeks to complete and marks the end of active hair growth. Factors such as age and health can affect how long this phase lasts.

Stimulating hair growth during this period is not recommended as it may disrupt the natural transition process from one stage to another.

The Telogen Phase – The Resting Phase

The final phase of the men’s facial hair growth cycle is the Telogen phase, also known as the resting phase. This phase typically lasts around three months, when the hair follicle is completely inactive and waiting to be replaced by a new one.

During this phase, any follicle stimulation will not lead to increased growth, so it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure that your facial hair is growing well. Factors such as stress, diet, and hormones can all play a role in influencing the length of this phase.

The Exogen Phase – The Shedding Phase

The Exogen phase is the last stage of the facial hair growth cycle. It is also referred to as the shedding phase, where old and dead hair is shed, and new hair grows in its place. During this phase, new hair will continue to grow while the old hair is shed. This phase usually lasts 1-2 months and occurs after the telogen phase.

Factors such as hormones, genetics, and stress can affect the time spent in this stage. To promote healthy facial hair growth, it’s important to eat foods rich in protein and vitamins, massage your face regularly, get enough sleep, reduce stress, and avoid unhealthy habits.

Once this phase has passed, the Anagen phase will begin again, allowing your facial hair to grow.

Anatomical training poster. Hair growth phase step by step. Stages of the hair growth cycle. Anagen, telogen, catagen. Skin anatomy. Cross section of the skin layers. Medical vector illustration

Factors Affecting Facial Hair Growth

Factors, including hormones, genetics, and stress, largely influence facial hair growth.

Hormones

Testosterone is the most important hormone for facial hair growth, and its levels can vary. For men between 19 and 38, testosterone levels typically range from 264 to 916 nanograms per deciliter.

Higher levels of testosterone may result in fuller, thicker beards. On the other hand, women have much lower levels of testosterone and thus do not experience the same level of facial hair growth as their male counterparts.

Hirsutism, or excessive hair growth, can be caused by higher-than-average testosterone levels in women. In either case, genetics also plays a role in facial hair growth and should be considered when considering how to encourage beard growth.

Genetics

Your genes are one of the main factors in how thick or thin your facial hair is. Men have hairs on their faces that are programmed to respond to certain hormones, and some ethnicities, like men from the Far East, typically have fewer beard hairs than men from other regions due to their genetic makeup.

Adult men typically have thousands of beard hairs, and genetics determines the number of hair follicles at birth. So, if you are looking for ways to grow a full and thick beard, looking into the genetics behind facial hair growth may help you understand your beard growth patterns.

Stress

When a person is under stress, their body produces higher levels of cortisol, which can interfere with the production of testosterone and other hormones necessary for healthy facial hair growth.

Furthermore, if a person is over-stressed, it can lead to hair loss due to increased cortisol production. To maintain healthy facial hair growth, it is important to practice stress-relieving techniques such as exercise, meditation, and yoga.

Eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep can also help reduce stress levels and promote healthy beard growth.

Tips for Facial Hair Growth

Growing thicker facial hair is a process that requires time and patience—but there are some things you can do to help promote faster and healthier growth.

Eat foods rich in protein and vitamins

Men should eat a balanced diet rich in protein and vitamins to ensure the best chances of healthy facial hair growth. Fruits and vegetables high in B vitamins and vitamins A, C, D, and E can help promote hair growth.

Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium for healthy facial hair growth. Additionally, testosterone plays a role in beard growth, and eating foods high in protein can help boost testosterone production.

Furthermore, ensuring enough vitamin D can also help promote healthy facial hair growth. Eating a balanced diet full of these key vitamins and minerals can help ensure that men get the bfacial hair growth c resultsycle results.

Massage your face regularly

The massage stimulates circulation, which helps nutrients reach the hair follicles. This can help speed up the growth cycle and thicken existing facial hair. Massaging your scalp can also help reduce stress levels and improve your body’s natural hormonal balance, which has been linked to faster facial hair growth.

Additionally, by massaging your facial skin, you can help to reduce the appearance of patchy areas and clear out any dirt or debris that may be blocking pores and preventing the growth of new hairs.

Make sure to get enough sleep

During sleep, your body produces hormones that help to regulate your growth cycle, including testosterone. This hormone helps to stimulate the anagen phase and encourages new facial hair growth.

In addition, sleep is important for overall health and well-being. Poor quality or inadequate sleep can cause stress levels to rise, hurting hair growth. Aim for at least eight hours of quality sleep each night to keep testosterone levels high and promote healthy facial hair growth.

Reduce stress levels

Stress can hugely impact our entire body, including our hair and facial hair. High-stress levels can lead to hair loss and inhibit facial hair growth. To reduce stress levels, mindful practice activities such as yoga or meditation, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep.

Avoid unhealthy habits

It’s important to be mindful of your lifestyle habits when growing facial hair. Smoking, drinking alcohol in excess, and not getting enough sleep can negatively affect your body’s ability to produce hormones, which is key for facial hair growth.

Additionally, unhealthy habits can lead to poor skin health, affecting your facial hair’s appearance. So try to limit your intake of unhealthy substances and get plenty of rest. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help ensure that your facial hair grows thick and healthy.

Exercise

One of the best ways to do this is through exercise. Exercise helps to increase blood flow, which in turn helps to stimulate hair follicle growth.

Using the right hair products

Additionally, some products can help stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth. This can include essential oils, specially formulated shampoos, and other topical treatments. However, it is important to consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any product to ensure it is safe for facial hair.

Maintaining Healthy Facial Hair Growth

To keep your facial hair looking its best, it is important to follow a few general tips. Make sure to keep up with the vitamins and nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth. Shave in the direction your hair grows, rinse your razor after each use, and make sure not to pull on the hairs too hard when shaving.

For transgender men, it is important to note that facial hair growth typically begins a year or more after starting their testosterone intake. With proper care and maintenance, you can help ensure that your beard looks its best!

Conclusion

Men’s facial hair growth cycle concludes that it’s a complex process that can be affected by many factors. Keeping testosterone levels in check, living a healthy lifestyle, and regularly stimulating facial hair growth are all important steps to ensure the cycle runs smoothly.

Knowing the three phases of facial hair growth and what to expect in each phase can help you better understand and manage your hair growth. If you have any further questions about men’s facial hair growth cycle, itit’slways best to consult a professional.

Jay Kang

Just because i'm asian does not mean I don't need shaving. I always wanted to grow a beard when I was young, now I need to shave because hair growth for me is a problem. I'm going through what every man will and has gone through before.

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