How to help patchy beard growth

November 29, 2018 | By Dr. Sangay Bhutia (Hair Transplant Specialist in Delhi)

It’s no shave November and you want to be among those who flaunt their beard during winters and carry the ‘manly look’. Moreover, hipsters with a beard are the ‘in thing’ and you want to be in sync with the times. Alas! Your beard is patchy and it’s making you think – should I or should I not? Well, if that question is troubling you – then read on to make an informed decision.

But before we get talking about what you can do help your patchy beard, let’s understand why is it so in the first place.

Genes – The colour of your eyes, your height, hair on your body etc. are your inheritance. Your genes determine them. So if your father and his father could grow a thick, un-patchy beard, chances are that so will you. But in case, they weren’t able to – you will find growing a patch less beard difficult. It is not in your control. But, all is not lost. There are things you can do.

Hormonal imbalance –DHT or Dihydrotestosterone, a sex hormone could be the reason behind your patchy beard. As men age, a high level of DHT in the body can cause the hair follicles to shrink and render them incapable of producing hair. This causes pattern baldness in men, and can also be the reason for facial hair loss.

Alopecia Areata – Spot baldness as it is commonly called is a condition that a few men confront. It leaves a bald, coin shaped spot on hair-covered areas on your body – including the beard. There are of course treatments available and it often goes away without any medication as well

Lifestyle disorders – Yes that can be a reason – albeit an important one. We’ll talk about this in detail below.

Now that you know the major causes. Lets see what you can do to fix a patchy beard.

Give it time – Don’t jump to conclusions too soon. If you are in the process of growing a beard and think that its patchy and uneven then give it time. At least 2-3 months are required to get a better sense of the look. And even then if you think it’s patchy, perhaps you can then take a decision of weather to keep it or shave it off. You might even be surprised if the hair grows long enough to conceal the patches and give you a full bearded look. So wait and be patient.

Groom it – Grooming your beard is not only important for the look but can also help patchiness. Try using a beard brush (not the same as the one you use for hair) – it not only helps in creating a fuller look but also evenly distributes beard oil and stops itchiness. Moreover, brushing increases the blood flow to the skin beneath your beard, which in turn, promotes hair growth.

Eat well, exercise and rest – As we said earlier, lifestyle is an important reason for hair loss as well as a patchy beard. Stress, low appetite, and lack of exercise all combine to impact hair growth. Therefore it is extremely important that you eat well, exercise regularly and rest your body adequately to recuperate. Include plenty of protein, vitamin C & E and Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. It is recommended that you eat green leafy vegetables, fish, poultry, and citrus foods in your day-to-day. In addition, you must exercise for at least 30 minutes, five days a week. It enables blood flow and helps you combat stress. Which is extremely important for healthy hair growth.

Beard implants – The number of beard implants has grown sharply in recent years. It is a good solution for men who have struggled to grow a full and healthy beard. The most common procedure involves taking hair from donor areas (usually the scalp) and surgically implanting them on the bare patches on the patients face. One of the biggest advantages of a beard transplant is that you will be able to determine the kind of beard you want. So you can fashion the look, quite literally.

This and other methods can combine to give you a full bearded look. But remember – there is nothing cooler than owning your look – patchy or not.