Patchy Beard? We Got You!

So, you’ve put in the time and suffered through all the itchiness and the difficult stages only to realize that you have a patchy beard growth. For some, this could simply be age, as some men only hit their beard potential in their late 20s or early 30s. Otherwise, fear not! You’re not alone.

At the end of the day, you have to understand that not all beards are created equal. Just like you, your beard is unique, with its own personality. The good news is that facial hair growth tends to improve with time and grooming. And, although there is no magic recipe, there are many approaches to dealing with a patchy beard and making the most out of the beard you have. We’ll cover them here for you.

If you’re looking for solutions for your bald patches, you’re in the right place. Sit back, and read through this blog article, you’ll find a few tips to “fix” your patchy beard.

Let It Grow. Let. It. Grow.

Patience, like in many things, will overcome difficulties. Patchiness tends to appear and be most visible in the early stages of beard growth. This is not the time to get discouraged! You need to give yourself at least a month, if not two, to see what the true potential of your beard can be. We realize this can be awkward, but it will be well worth it, in the end.

It's important to understand that beard growth is dictated by your genetics. If the men in your family are not able to grow a beard, you might have the same fate. Also, most bearded men have patchy areas in their beard, the trick is to learn how to deal with that with the material you have to work with.

Once your beard has grown enough, since no one has a perfectly even beard, you might realize that those areas you thought were patchy have disappeared. After you do a little grooming, clean those lines, and apply the right products, you might be set and rocking a kickass beard!

Tips to help with patchy beard growth

1 – Take better care of your body

Yes, your genetics are in control of your beard growth, but there are a few things you can control that will help with your growth. First off, your body needs to be healthy. That means eating well-balanced meals to make sure you get all the appropriate vitamins and minerals your body needs to fulfill its functions. Working out can also work well for you because it boosts your levels of testosterone, which is needed for proper beard growth. Also, you must sleep about 8 hours a night to make sure your body gets its well-needed rest. When you’re asleep, your body enters repair mode, and not enough of that can affect your beard growth.

2- Hydrate your skin

To ensure optimal growth, your skin must also be healthy. Dry skin will lessen your potential for beard growth because your beard follicles will not operate as well. The best way to deal with dryness is by using beard oil every day after your shower. Our beard oil contains many natural oils that are known to have very beneficial effects on the skin and hair, like jojoba oil, castor oil (promotes hair growth), vitamin E, etc. You only need a few drops a day, that you’ll apply directly to the skin under your beard.

3 – Use a boar bristle brush

A boar bristle beard brush really is your best friend. Brushing exfoliates your skin, helps distribute natural oils through your beard to moisturize, stimulates blood flow and, by consequence, can improve beard growth, because more nutrients are going to your beard follicles. Beards tend to be patchiest in areas with the least blood flow, like the cheeks. You’ll need to stick with it for six to eight weeks to see what results you might achieve. Combined with a natural beard oil five minutes after showering, you can rest assured you are doing everything in your power to help your beard flourish.

Things to avoid

1 – Conventional hair shampoos

The shampoos you find in most pharmacies and large stores often contain sulfate. This chemical is a type of salt that can be very damageable for your facial skin. It is designed to remove silicone in hair and can be very harsh to the skin. You can use them for your hair but not for your beard because your facial skin is the most sensitive skin on the human body. Conventional shampoos will typically end up drying your skin and beard, which can slow down beard growth.

2 - Beard oils that contain silicone

When shopping for a beard oil, you want one that will hydrate your skin in depth, without leaving it greasy. The point of beard oil is to condition your skin and nourish it, thanks to the natural oils it contains. It is intended to be a foundational product in your beard arsenal, not just a cosmetic fix. The cheaper oils you’ll find online might often contain silicone used as a filler. The issue with that is that it will clog your pores, which can definitely affect your beard growth. You might get irritations, ingrown hairs, zits…For the love of beard, stay away from those!

3 - Synthetic bristle brushes

Synthetic bristles are quite often more rigid than boar bristles. That can damage your skin and beard hairs, which in turn can affect your growth in those patchier areas. Worst of all, it will strip away the natural oils from the beard oil, as well as the sebum your skin secretes. This natural oil helps protect the hairs and skin to keep them hydrated. If you take it away, well, you’re welcoming the forces of dryness into your life.

If it doesn’t fill in, you still have options.

If the burly man look isn’t working for you, you might want to opt for a shorter look; something that’s considered very attractive and that many celebrities sport. For best results, trim your beard every few days and make sure you keep those cheek and jawlines looking fresh and sharp. Combine this with some beard oil to keep your hair -- and most importantly your skin --- well moisturized, and you’ll have the beard you can be proud of.

Other styling options include finding a look that avoids having to grow hair in areas where you naturally have less. Talk to your barber and explore styles such as a goatee, circle beard, chin strap or even the Van Dyke beard style that might work really well for you. We suggest looking at our Ultimate Beard Growth guide, we have many short beard styles that you can choose from, and we’ve added information about how to groom and maintain them.

Styling a patchy beard

As we’ve stated before, most bearded men have patchy areas. The best thing to do is to learn how to deal with them. Brushing your beard can do many wonderful things for its overall appearance while improving the health of your skin and beard. Just like the hair on your head, if you brush or comb it you can train your hair to hold a certain shape or grow in a certain direction. This way you can ensure you cover and fill in those less dense areas.

Using a sculpting beard balm can also help cover those bald patches. When the balm dries up after applying it, it will give more volume to your beard. You can then place your hairs to cover those regions on your face. This can be especially interesting for men with thin beards.

When we look at our beard in the mirror, we notice every little thing about it, because we’re looking at ourselves from only a few inches away. Remember that most people don’t hang around you that close and can often not even notice your patchy areas. Learn to style it and you’re on your way to bearded glory.

At the end of the day, be brave and be you, and that includes embracing your beard!