Most men want to look as buff and masculine as they can be. And one of the best ways to look manly like Jason Momoa or Brad Pitt is to grow a beard.
But what if you can't? Or what if you don't want to grow a beard due to beard problems like beard itch or loss of hair?
Don't worry about it. We'll reveal the top 5 common beard problems and how to cure them. And we'll also share the best beard care routine to prevent these annoying skin and beard issues. Let's jump right in!
#1. Beard acne
Of course, your beard and moustache are part of your face. So it's only expected that you would have some blackheads, pimples, and whitehead situations on your facial hair. But what are all of the debatable reasons why people, particularly men, have acne? What are the leading causes of these pesky bumps?
This is mainly due to bacteria from:
- Face masks and shields during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Oily skin types
- Oily food
- Sweat, dirt, and oil buildup
You can also get beard acne from ingrown hairs as the hair is trapped in your skin, causing inflammation.
How to get rid of beard acne
- Wash your beard regularly to avoid any bacterial buildup that would cause pimples or acne in your facial hair. Use gentle cleansers to wash away dirt without excessively removing the natural oils from your skin.
- To avoid ingrown hairs and dirt sticking on your beard, brush or comb your beard after taking a shower.
- Using a beard wash to cleanse and remove any impurities from your facial hair is not enough. You must also apply beard moisturizers like beard oils to hydrate your skin and beard.
- Adjust your shaving routine to prevent beard acne. After showering, use a new razor blade each time, consider an electric or multi-blade razor, and use pre-shave oil for a smoother shave.
#2. Ingrown hair
Ingrown hairs occur when hair curls or grows back into the skin instead of outward. Men with curly beards may experience a higher frequency of ingrown hairs due to the hair's natural curling tendency.
But straight-haired men aren’t safe from this beard issue. Ingrown hairs can also happen due to improper shaving or dull razor blades, especially if you shave too close to the skin. As a result, the hair curves and re-enters your skin.
You could have red bumps, irritation, and sometimes infection with ingrown hair.
How to get rid of ingrown hair
Luckily, ingrown hairs can be managed by exfoliating the skin, using proper shaving techniques, and using products that help hair grow outward.
The best way to address ingrown hairs is to exfoliate to prevent any hair from growing back to your skin. It helps to use warm water to open your pores and scrub your beard thoroughly.
If the ingrown hair is visible near the surface, you can use sterilized tweezers to lift the hair out gently. Ensure the tweezers are clean to prevent infection. Refrain from picking or digging at the ingrown hair, worsening inflammation and increasing the risk of infection.
#3. Beard itch
An itchy beard could be the result of one or two of the beard problems we just talked about. But it can also be for external factors such as harsh cold weather or dry skin.
Most men would have coarse hair follicles that can be abrasive to their skin. So even excessive rubbing from hugging or kissing can cause beard itch.
How to get rid of beard itch
Not going to lie to you; scratching your beard feels good. But like scratching rashes or chickenpox, the relief is only temporary. Plus, it will do you more harm than good.
The only way to ditch this itch is through proper beard care, from washing to moisturizing. It's a great deal of help if you trim your beard regularly to avoid flyaways and split ends messing around your neck and lip area. But more importantly, you must invest in beard products with soothing ingredients like aloe vera.
#4. Folliculitis barbae - bacterial infection
Have your heard of razor shaving gone wrong?
Here's the overview of this beard nightmare—folliculitis barbae.
Caused by inflamed hair follicles, folliculitis barbae are red, itchy bumps or pustules due to infections from small cuts during shaving.
These infections are from the bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus or fungi. It can spread through sharing contaminated razors, towels, or direct skin contact. But this beard condition can worsen through poor hygiene, excessive moisture, and friction.
How to get rid of beard itch
Treatment may involve topical antibiotics, antifungal creams, or, in severe cases, oral medications. Keeping the beard area clean and dry, using mild cleansers, and applying warm compresses can help alleviate symptoms.
Adopting a proper shaving technique is crucial to preventing folliculitis barbae. Shave in the direction of hair growth to minimize irritation and avoid close shaving that can damage follicles. Using a clean, sharp razor and applying lubricating shaving cream or gel helps reduce the risk of infection.
#5. Hair loss on beard
Last but not least, beard hair loss.
There are different types of hair loss, but it mainly boils down to genetics.
We also have such hair loss, like autoimmune-related bald patches, also known as alopecia areata, which occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss. This creates the patchy beards we all hate. While experts do not understand the exact cause of this beard anomaly, they believe it involves genetic and environmental factors.
Beard hair loss due to alopecia areata shares similarities with scalp hair loss. Both involve immune system dysfunction targeting hair follicles. However, beard hair loss can have distinct patterns and considerations due to differences in hair growth cycles and sensitivity to immune responses.
How to get rid of beard alopecia
Treatment for bald patches or beard hair loss often includes topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response. Coal tar derivatives can be used to manage itching and inflammation. In more severe cases, steroid injections into the affected area may be recommended to stimulate hair regrowth. These treatments aim to modulate the immune response and promote hair follicle recovery.
But if you can splurge on your facial hair, more extensive treatments such as beard hair transplant or tattooing exist.
Final thoughts
- Beard acne
- Ingrown hair
- Beard itch
- Folliculitis barbae
- Beard hair loss
Can you avoid all of these beard problems? Of course, you can. But a healthy diet and expensive medical treatments aren't the only solutions to your beard mishaps. But with all of the treatments we discuss, there is one foolproof way we keep mentioning through this blog—a proper beard care routine.
But where can you buy natural beard products? Odenson has them.
Odenson cares not only about your beard but also the skin underneath. We create beard wash and oils that cure and prevent these beard conditions.
Visit our store today to learn more.
