Key takeaways
- While genetics primarily determine facial hair growth, ensuring a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and sufficient sleep can help create an optimal environment for hair to grow.
- Many supplements marketed for beard growth lack scientific backing, making them potentially ineffective and overpriced.
Genetics generally impact whether you can grow facial hair. As you cannot change your genetics, it may not be possible to significantly change how much you can grow a beard or moustache.
However, some general tips may help. Read on to learn more about steps that may help encourage facial hair growth.
The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.
Testosterone is a hormone that plays a role in the development of facial hair. A 2018 study that looked at testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism found that testosterone therapy helped with the growth of facial hair.
However, research on the relationship between testosterone and facial hair growth is mixed. A
While more research is necessary, receiving testosterone therapy for low testosterone may encourage beard growth in some people.
As well as affecting facial hair growth, low testosterone may cause cause:
- erectile dysfunction
- infertility
- decreased muscle mass
- development of breast tissue
If you do not have low testosterone, testosterone therapy from your doctor isn’t likely to help with growing facial hair.
Alopecia areata barbae is a type of alopecia that affects the beard. Alopecia is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss.
Alopecia areata barbae causes patchy hair loss. It can affect the:
- beard
- moustache
- sideburns
Alopecia areata barbae may be triggered by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and thyroid problems. Unlike alopecia, alopecia areata barbae does not appear to follow a specific genetic pattern or run in families.
Treatments for alopecia areata barbae can include topical or oral medications, such as:
- corticosteroids
- minoxidil
- anthralin
Speak with your doctor for advice on what treatments they recommend and how long they may take to work.
Some companies offer supplements and creams that promise thicker and fuller beards. However, most of them lack scientific credibility.
There’s some evidence that vitamin D can help promote the development of hair follicles. B vitamins such as B12, biotin, and niacin can support hair health.
However, it is unclear whether vitamin supplements can have any effect on promoting facial hair growth.
Speak with a doctor if you wish to consider taking any supplements.
Some general tips for maintaining hair health may help to encourage facial hair growth.
For example, nutritional deficiencies may lead to hair loss. Consuming a healthy balanced diet rich in a variety of vitamins may help to manage hair loss.
Psychological stress can also contribute to hair loss. While more research is necessary, taking steps to manage stress may help with preventing the loss of facial hair. Tips to manage stress include:
- getting enough regular physical activity or exercise
- trying a new hobby or leisure activity
- finding time in the day to relax
- spending time outdoors
Speak with a doctor for more information about general tips that may help promote hair growth.
Genetics is the key determinant of whether or not you can grow your facial hair. But some practices may help it grow better, such as consuming a diet rich in a range of vitamins and taking steps to manage stress.
If low testosterone is affecting hair growth and causing other symptoms, a doctor may recommend testosterone therapy.
If you develop alopecia areata barbae, a condition that causes patchy hair loss on the face, a doctor may recommend medical treatments such as corticosteroids, minoxidil, or anthralin.
Speak with a doctor for more information about ways to encourage beard growth or minimize the risk of facial hair loss.