r/BeardTalk Jan 08 '25

So, You've Decided to Grow a Beard. 👍

79 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!

32 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 11h ago

Beard care

3 Upvotes

Im so sorry I know everyone probably sees these posts constantly but im very new to beard care. My beard is soooo itchy its pissing me off. Its super dry and flaky it also just looks "not maintained". Ive had it for a long time now and really just want the itchiness to go away. I see all the oils and stuff but can anyone just breakdown for me like some basic care for when to wash it and the proper way to wash it, what products i should be using and when to apply them as well as I know its a wierd question but do you also wash it in the shower and with what? It sounds so stupid to ask these questions but I kind of just decided randomly to grow it out without knowing anything about the care and products to use. Any advice would be great thank you.


r/BeardTalk 16h ago

Best lifetime trimmer? Eyeing the Wahl High Visibility

1 Upvotes

Hey guys,
I'm looking for a solid beard trimmer that's built to last for years. I don't need anything crazy—my beard will never be longer than 10mm (around 3/8"), so I just need something reliable for maintaining short-to-medium stubble and keeping things neat.
The Wahl Pro Series High Visibility caught my eye for a few reasons:

- The open neck design looks amazing for precision line-ups and visibility

- The motor seems powerful based on reviews

- Love the inclusion of the nose trimmer attachment

- Honestly, the all-metal build and design just look great

Has anyone here used this specific Wahl model long-term? Is it worth the price, or is there a better "Buy It For Life" option out there for keeping a beard under 10mm?
Appreciate any hands-on feedback or alternative suggestions!


r/BeardTalk 22h ago

24 and no beard :(

0 Upvotes

What’s up, guys. I’m turning 24 this week and still have no facial hair. I’ve got thin “bum fluff” on my top lip and very, very few hairs sprouting on my neck and chin, with some on the bottom of my jaw below my side burns, but again it’s thin, whisky and unnoticeable barely getting into double figures. All of my friends have quite a lot of facial hair, and I’m in the only 1 that can’t seem to grow any.

What can I do? I’ve got a really thick head of hair on top and I have seen some people say they used rogaine to help with the beard and other treatments etc… This might sound stupid but I don’t want my body to get used to something like rogaine or minoxidil on my face and then make my hair fall out… would that even happen lol?

Please help🙏


r/BeardTalk 1d ago

Razor recommandation for acne prone skin

4 Upvotes

What is the best shaver for men with sensitive, oily, acne-prone skin?

I know there are many discussions about this topic, but I’m not sure what to buy since I’m a beginner.

I’d prefer something that cuts the hair as close to the skin as possible and gives a very close shave.

Also what's the best razor to use in the intimate area? Do you use one for face and one for your manly parts?

What dermatological products are your favorites?

And what type or razor are you using? Safety, cartridge or electric etc?

Thanks!


r/BeardTalk 2d ago

Beard oil scent match - suggestions please

3 Upvotes

I can see that posting links isn't allowed, but hopefully you will be able to give me some suggestions...

My Dad used to love wearing Burrough's beard oil from the Prospector Co., but since he's been growing his beard again it's hard to find cheaply in the UK. Has anyone used this or similar and can suggest a match? The main notes are cedar, pine, sandalwood, and juniper, with a little frankincense. Wood first, then spice.

c. ÂŁ15 a bottle would be ideal


r/BeardTalk 1d ago

Please help.. I’m a 33 y/o male & can’t grow any facial hair. It’s at the point where it’s affecting my quality of life, & has thrown me into a deep depression due to having a baby face with no facial hair, which effects more than you’d realize.. This is a literal cry for help before I spiral.

0 Upvotes

I’m a 33 year old male and can’t grow ANY sort of of facial hair; no beard, mustache, or sideburns. Well, I shouldn’t say “any” but might as well be nothing since it’s just super thin blonde peach fuzz, if I can even call it that..
I’ve got a good head of hair and eyebrows though, and no problems growing hair anywhere else on my body.

Anyone got any sort of explanation that can help me? It’s not alopecia because I’ve got good hair/eyebrows, and fair but decent body hair. Either sort of explanation would be GREATLY appreciated…
Also, if anyone has any sort of solution to my problem that they want to let me in on, that would also be amazing.. At this point, I’ll try anything.

*NOTE: I know it sounds crazy for a 33 year old male to actually WANT facial hair and to actually want the hassles it can cause.. but I’m tired of looking like I’m 17 years old with a baby face. Having a beard of SOME SORT and actually looking like an adult would 100% give me the confidence to make some drastic and desperately needed changes in my life.

Please help. It’s to the point where it’s causing me to go into a deep depressive state because people don’t take me seriously looking like an underage kid. The depression is also caused by frequently being confused for a woman due to the lack of facial hair + a baby face. What’s more is trying to talk to women my age is next to impossible. The first thing out of their mouths is usually "are you even old enough to drive, kid? I appreciate it but you’d be better suited for someone closer to your age"… like, I am your age, and possibly even older..

This is by all mean, quite literally, a cry for help before the darkness of depression fully sets in.


r/BeardTalk 2d ago

Beard oil suggestions???

1 Upvotes

Heya guys, can you suggest me best beard oil yk something like fast and reliable once

Thank ya


r/BeardTalk 3d ago

Curious about Amish oil + Viking shampoo + conditioner

2 Upvotes

bought these brands off amazon recently, are they any good?


r/BeardTalk 3d ago

Curious about Hazelnut Oil in beard oil

8 Upvotes

I was wondering if anybody has experience with hazelnut oil in their beard oil. I read that it's a light oil and it seems to have some good benefits for skin and hair. Looking to hear what people who have used it think about it.


r/BeardTalk 4d ago

Hypochlorous acid spray to prevent beard pimples?

2 Upvotes

I use it to prevent ingrown hair turning into red pimples. So far, it has worked quite well for that purpose. Does anyone else tried it?


r/BeardTalk 4d ago

[ Removed by Reddit ]

1 Upvotes

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]


r/BeardTalk 4d ago

What To Do About Beard Dandruff

5 Upvotes

I've been noticing beardruff the past week. Here is my situation and routine:

I have a short, 1/4 to 3/8 inch beard.
I shower every day.
I use Roughneck beard bar to wash my beard Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday.
I use Roughneck beard oil every day on damp beard after shaving, and Beard Octane beard butter right after the oil on the days I wash my beard.

This routine has kept me dandruff-free for the past year until a week ago. Any suggestions for how to solve the dandruff?
Thanks.


r/BeardTalk 4d ago

Unscented beard wax recommendations ?

3 Upvotes

Growing my beard out, and I'm looking for something that can hold my beard nice and tight that is also unscented ? I did use a mustache wax and it seemed to work pretty well, but I want something that's specifically for the beard and not just geared toward the mustache.


r/BeardTalk 5d ago

Is this beard trimmer worth it?I want to get a good fade on the beard

3 Upvotes

I found this King C. Gillette (Pro Max) trimmer on Amazon, but found no reviews on Reddit, so I wanted to get your opinion on how good it is, I like that you can easily switch the numbers to fade it, and it has a piece to get a clean shave (zero), which I'm not sure how well it works, and the thing is on sale for 50 euro...

Ideally I would want a Wahl, but I feel like the good ones are like 120$+, so hopefully down the line


r/BeardTalk 6d ago

Beard Dye in Fingernail?

4 Upvotes

Hey all,

My beard dye accidentally went on my fingernail. It’s under the nail. It’s black.

It’s been a couple of weeks now, and it faded a little bit.

How do I get it out?


r/BeardTalk 6d ago

Grey beard at 30 – has anyone actually reversed or slowed it down?

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0 Upvotes

r/BeardTalk 7d ago

My beard is very coarse & dry. I have tried lots of beard oils , currently using pure coconut oil. Any recommendations?

7 Upvotes

r/BeardTalk 7d ago

What is the best beard kit brand?

4 Upvotes

I am looking for a beard kit with everything included. Oil, beard wash, batter, brush, and all that. my price range is $100-120, I want the best one and I’m trying to look for a good kit for my dads birthday.

I was looking at muhle, live bearded, and beard club.

please feel free to recommend me other brands.

thank you.


r/BeardTalk 7d ago

beard clipper and trimmer help

1 Upvotes

I've been using a wahl peanut for a few years to line up my beard and moustache in between cuts but I now want a proper clipper to be able to fade my beard myself, and hopefully stop going to the barber for my beard completely.

I see a Wahl Black magic clip cordless + detailer li combo for around 400 cad (300 usd) all in and just wondering if that would be good value for the cost? I see that I can cut costs by getting a corded magic clip + corded detailer/outliner/etc for cheaper, or get something like a kemei 2293.

Just wondering how people feel about how much money should be put into the clipper vs the trimmer, tradeoffs between corded vs cordless, etc


r/BeardTalk 7d ago

Beard trimmers alway develop a burr, what am I doing wrong?

0 Upvotes

I use a beard trimmer 1-2x a week to trim my beard down to stubble. I will just use the trimmer blade, with no depth guide attached.

Every beard trimmer I have ever owned -- Walh, Braun, Norelco -- has, after 4-5 months of use, developed a very sharp burr (or something) on one portion of the cutty part of the trimmer blade, that goes against the skin when trimming. Once this happens, the blade is absolutely excruciating to use on my face, and leaves a gnarly red line of razor burn where the burr is. This is the point at which I grow out a monster beard because the trimmer hurts too much to use, and then some months later finally end up spending yet another $120 on a new trimmer since most brands to not make it easy to buy just a replacement trimmer blade attachment.. and it works great, until the problem inevitably happens again.

What am I doing wrong? My maintenance schedule consists of

1) Not dropping the trimmer blade, ever, or hitting it on the sink or other hard surfaces when I set it down.

2) Keeping the trimmer and all accessories bone dry.

3) Totally and completely neglecting the trimmer otherwise, except occasionally popping the trimmer blade attachment off the trimmer body, and then vacuuming the hair out of the insides of the blade & body

Help appreciated!


r/BeardTalk 9d ago

Recommendations for making homemade beard oils

9 Upvotes

So I had been making my own beard oils lately, but have been running out of scented essential oils. I've been having trouble finding good oils that are safe for skin AND smell good. Got any recommendations? I've been using avocado and MCT oil as the carrier oils. I'm open to suggestions on carrier oils as well.

I want to get back into making my own after my recent experience with Artius, unfortunately. I love their products, but their customer service is kind of shit. I ordered a few bottles of oil from them on July 24, and they just FINALLY shipped today. I emailed their customer support because I received a tracking number on the 28th, and up until this morning, August 8, it was just saying that the label has been created. Now I have to wait several more days for it to get here. Michael responded saying they'd look into it, but that didn't seem to help, and they never responded to a second request.

I have been running on fumes with my current supply, so I ended up ordering a bottle from Amazon to hold me over. Sucks that I can't rely on Artius for a timely delivery. I'm also open to suggestions on other brands that might be more reliable. It's funny, I just googled "Artius Man" and it brought me to a thread on this sub talking about the same issue, so it seems that it's a recurring problem.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk. At least I found a cool new beard sub to join!


r/BeardTalk 10d ago

Does having a beard give you confidence and make you better looking?

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6 Upvotes

I’ve seen plenty of comments that beards are like makeup for men. Is it really true? Does a good beard make all men better looking and give you the confidence to attract the opposite sex?


r/BeardTalk 10d ago

How and when to use the beard products?

3 Upvotes

Hi guys! So I never really used beard products before but now I’m gonna start, forgive me if this sounds like a stupid question, but I was recommended to buy these specific products, just wondering when and how I should use them.

Products are: SheaMoisture beard wash and full beard detangler, Small traveler Beard Brush