How Long Does It Take to Grow a Beard on Average?

Thinking of growing a beard while you’re in quarantine? You’re not alone, as plenty of celebrities have had the same thought.

Everyone from Will Smith to Jim Carrey has decided now’s a great time to grow out that beard. If you’ve never really grown much facial hair, you may be wondering if it’s a good time to experiment.

Before you can start the process, you need to have an idea of what to expect. So how long does it take to grow a beard? 

Keep reading for all the information you need about how to grow a beard. 

Growing a Beard: The Basics 

First things first: the hair on your face grows at about the same rate as the hair on your scalp. That’s about a half an inch every month. It may not sound like much, but it adds up faster than you realize.

Some beards will grow faster than that, while some will go slower. But that’s a rough average. 

How long does it take to grow a full beard? Some men will achieve it in two or three months. For others, it may take four, five, or even six months.  

There’s no scientific way to know if your beard is going to look the way you envisioned it in your head. Your father’s inability to grow a luxurious beard doesn’t mean you can’t. Similarly, your brother may have a great beard that looks nothing like yours. 

If you’re curious, the best thing you can do is put away the shaving cream and see what happens.

It’s also worth mentioning one more thing before we move on: Experts say a beard alone doesn’t make you more likely to get COVID-19. Just keep it clean and trimmed close to your face, especially when you’re wearing a mask. 

Beard Care and Maintenance

Believe it or not, basic self-care is an important part of beard maintenance. Get plenty of sleep and eat a diet that’s high in protein if you want to keep your beard looking good. 

Exercise is also key. A good workout gives you a testosterone boost and improves your blood flow. Both of those things can help with beard growth.

Brushes and combs do different things for your beard, but you’ll need them both. Experiment with each styling tool and see what feels good. But make sure you don’t go overboard.

Not sure how to style it? Get online and start looking up beard styles. If you’re a black man searching for more specific styling tips, look to a site like Dapper Mane. 

Yes, you should also wash your beard like you wash the hair on your head. But that doesn’t mean you should use the same shampoo and conditioner.

Regular shampoo will do if you’re in a pinch. But look for beard wash the next time you go to a drugstore. It’s more gentle and better for your facial hair.

How Long Does It Take to Grow a Beard? The Bottom Line

Quarantine offers plenty of time to answer questions like “How long does it take to grow a beard?” What you do with those answers is up to you. 

It’s harder to feel stylish right now, but that’s no reason not to try. Need inspiration? Bookmark our style section for the latest information and news.