Gone are the times where clean-shaven looks for men was the only acceptable state to be seen in public.
If – back in the day – I’d have turned up at a party sporting a beard, it would have been met with a mixture of disgust, disbelief, and laughter.
Today, men from all walks of life are flaunting beards of all shapes and sizes, with pride.
Beards aren’t going anywhere.
And, the important thing is that if you either have a beard or plan to grow one, then you need to learn proper beard washing and maintenance – or face the consequences.
You might be surprised to learn that your beard could contain some 25,000 hair fibres, and each of those hairs can grow by 0.27mm every 24 hours.
That is indeed quite a lot of hair, which must be kept clean.
A dirty beard not only makes you look shabby, unclean, and unkempt, but could also produce an unpleasant odour.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, you could have rotting food and other undesirable debris stuck in your beard.
So, keeping your beard properly washed and groomed is essential for a lush, good-looking, pleasant smelling, beard.
Further, regular washing can help keep dreaded beardruff (beard dandruff), dryness, and beard itch away.
With great swathes of hair flowing from your face comes great responsibility – it needs regular washing, just like the hairs on your head.
Tips to Washing Your Beard… Properly
First, wet your beard with warm water. Ensure that the water is not too hot, as this will dry out the hair follicles and cause improper growth of the beard hair. Use lukewarm water, as it helps to open out the pores, boosting the blood circulation, supplying the follicles with nutrient rich blood, to promote healthy growth.
Next, apply beard wash or specially formulated beard shampoo generously throughout your beard, working in to create a lather. Using your fingertips, massage deeply into the beard until you reach the skin. Massage well with a gentle scrubbing motion, as this helps to clean deep down to the skin effectively.
Lastly, using warm water, rinse out the soapy beard wash or shampoo – use a shower head to help thoroughly rinse, if needed.
Keep in mind, using a quality beard shampoo (as apposed to cheap regular shampoo) should leave your beard clean, oil free, well-hydrated, and smelling great.
Rinsing Your Beard
- Ensure that you wash and rinse your beard using lukewarm water.
- Avoid very hot water, as this could cause the skin to become very dry and can affect the growth quality of your beard
- Rinse out the beard shampoo thoroughly and ensure that you get all the product out.
- It’s a good idea to wash your beard in the shower, at the same time that you wash your head hair and body, to maximize cleaning and rinsing.
How to Dry Your Beard After Washing
Drying your beard is as important as the process of washing and rinsing. Once you have washed and rinsed your beard, ensure that you dry it completely.
You may blow dry your beard, but there is a right and a wrong way to go about this.
- Don’t blow dry your beard with very hot air, as this intense heath can dry out and damage the hair cuticle. In fact, studies have shown this to be the worst way to dry hair.
- Do blow dry your hair with the hairdryer on it’s coolest setting, using continuous motion at a distance of around 15cm from your beard.
- Don’t rub too hard if you’re using a towel as this can cause tangling and damage.
- Do shake off some of the water immediately after rinsing, pat dry with a clean towel, let any remaining dampness air dry.
How Often Should You Wash Your Beard?
Washing your beard frequently can strip away the natural oils and can cause your skin and beard to become too dry. This can also make the beard brittle and cause beardruff. So, ideally, you should wash your beard 2 – 4 times a week with a beard shampoo. And, if you need to wash it in between, then wash it using plain warm water and avoid using any harsh soaps.
Ideally, every other day works for most guys.
Applying a Moisturiser or Beard Oil
Using a moisturiser or beard oil can help to keep your beard (and skin) hydrated, minimizing your chances of frizzy hairs, brittle split ends, and dandruff.
Beard balms and oils are great additional products that to moisturise hair and skin, giving your beard an overall healthier look.
Combing out Your Beard
It is a great idea to comb or brush out your beard after a wash and dry. But make sure to use a beard or brush comb for best results. Combing it top-to-bottom and from the sides of the beard to the centre using a wide-tooth comb, comb the hair along the direction of the hair growth and use the smaller teeth of the comb for the purpose of detangling.
Keeping It Trimmed
By using a beard trimmer, over scissors, you can quickly remove any stray hairs, and keep your whole beard neat and tidy at all times.
What’s The Right Shampoo For Beards?
Washing your beard with any old shampoo is not recommended, though it will “do the job” – a beard shampoo will provide more benefits.
If you want the best looking, most healthy beard possible, then a specially formulated shampoo for beards is what you need.
Avoid using harsh shampoos or cheap soaps, as they can strip away all the moisture and natural oils.
It’s a good move to use an all natural beard wash or shampoo like Percy Nobleman because products like this have deep moisturising properties and contain conditioning oils, which replace the natural oils that are depleted while washing. It contains things like natural flower water, coconut oil, shea butter, and sesame oil for a genuinely beneficial shampoo that gently cleanses and nourishes.
They remove dead skin and help to remove any dust that may have accumulated – a by-product of an urban lifestyle – thanks to modern day pollution.
Such shampoos leave your beard clean, strong, and healthy looking with a fresh, pleasant aroma.
You may also want to consider a beard conditioner to keep your hairs soft and shiny. Using a beard oil or balm between washes can help to moisturise and keep the beard hydrated, prevent drying.
It is very important to remember that facial skin and hair are very sensitive and delicate and so, you must take extra care to maintain them. Following the above steps can ensure that you have a luxurious and healthy beard that is the envy of other men.