For many men, growing a full and well-defined beard is core part of identity and a form of self-expression. So when facial hair growth is slow or patchy, it can be a frustrating. If your facial hair grows slow or if your beard is growing slower than usual, this guide is for you! In this article, we’ll explore the reasons for slow beard growth in men and how to tell if your facial hair is growing normally. We’ll also review the top treatments and tips to encourage thicker and faster beard growth for slow growers.
What Counts as Slow Beard Growth?
On average, facial hair grows about 1.25 cm (0.5 inch) per month. However, the beard growth cycle varies from person to person. For some, beard growth is fast and dense. Others may notice sparse or patchy areas and that new hair takes weeks to appear. It’s worth highlighting that slow beard growth doesn’t always mean something is wrong. However, if your facial hair has stalled or never fully grows then it could be worth looking into why. The common signs that your beard is growing slower than usual include:
- Fewer new hairs appearing
- Thinning in areas that were once fuller
- Needing to trim or shave less frequently
- Lack of progress despite healthy lifestyle and beard care habits
8 Reasons Why Your Facial Hair Growth is Slow
There are several reasons why your beard may be growing slowly, thinning out or failing to fill in. These range from genetics to lifestyle habits and underlying health factors. Below are the 8 most common reasons for slow facial hair growth in men:
- Genetics: This plays a major role in determining the thickness, length, appearance and growth rate of your facial hair. If the men in your family have patchy or thin beards, you’re likely to have slow facial hair growth.
- Age: Beard growth often corresponds with age peaking in the late 20s and early 30s. If you’re under 25 it may just be a matter of time till your beard reaches its full potential. On the other hand, from 40s onwards facial hair growth may slow down and beard thickness may reduce in men.
- Hormones: Facial hair growth in men is influenced by testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Low levels of these hormones or reduced sensitivity to DHT, can slow down or limit beard growth. This might occur in isolation or be part of a wider hormonal imbalance.
- Poor Blood Flow: Hair follicles rely on a healthy blood supply to receive oxygen and nutrients. Poor circulation for example due to smoking, lack of exercise or certain health conditions can impact hair production and slow beard growth.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Facial hair needs the right building blocks to grow. A lack of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin D or protein can weaken hair structure and slower beard growth. Deficiencies can also lead to brittle or thinner hairs.
- Stress & Poor Sleep: Chronic stress and inadequate sleep can both lower testosterone levels and increase cortisol. These factors also affect the skin and reduce circulation to the hair follicles.
- Skin Conditions: Problems like seborrhoeic dermatitis, acne or clogged pores can cause inflammation, scars or follicle blockage. This then prevents hair from growing properly.
- Poor Shaving & Grooming Habits: Contrary to popular belief, shaving more often won’t make your beard grow faster or thicker. In fact, over-shaving or using harsh products can irritate the skin and disrupt the natural growth cycle.
In some cases, slow beard growers may have an underlying hormonal or medical issue If your beard growth has slowed noticeably or if it never developed fully in the first place, its worth seeking medical attention. This is especially important if it is accompanied by other symptoms like hair loss elsewhere, unexplained weight loss, fatigue or mood changes.
How to Speed up Beard Growth
If your beard is taking its time to fill in or seems to be growing more slowly than usual but there’s no underlying medical condition then worry not! We have some good news for slow beard growers. There actually a few treatments and tips that can help slow facial hair grow faster:
- Lifestyle: Getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, staying physically active and reducing stress are all crucial for hormone regulation and overall hair health. These factors help optimise testosterone levels and improve blood circulation to the skin. This can in turn support better beard growth. It’s also worth stopping smoking as it compromises blood flow to hair follicles which can slow beard growth.
- Skincare: Healthy skin lays the foundation for healthy hair. Keeping the skin clean, exfoliated and well-moisturised can reduce clogged pores and improve the environment for facial hair growth. Try using a gentle cleanser, exfoliating once or twice a week and applying a lightweight moisturiser or oil.
- Over-the-Counter Beard Growth Products: There is a wide range of non-prescription products available for beard growth including serums, oils and balms. These usually contain ingredients like caffeine, biotin and nourishing plant oils to help condition the skin and hair. Whilst they won’t change your genetics or create new follicles, they can support the health of existing ones. They can also help maintain the skin’s barrier which may provide a better environment for beard growth over time.
- Prescription Beard Growth Treatments: For men struggling with slow facial hair growth that hasn’t responded to simpler measures, prescription treatments may be an option. These typically involve custom compounded formulations containing active ingredients like minoxidil and Tretinoin.
- Professional Procedures: In-clinic treatments like microneedling and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can also support facial hair growth especially in areas with patchiness or thinning. Microneedling works by creating tiny micro-injuries in the skin, which stimulates collagen production and can encourage follicle activity. PRP involves drawing a small amount of your blood, isolating growth factors and injecting it back into the skin to boost hair growth. These treatments are generally best suited to men with mild to moderate beard thinning or those looking to complement topical treatments.
- Beard Transplant Surgery: For those with significant beard gaps or minimal facial hair growth due to genetics or scarring, beard transplants may be an option. This is a surgical procedure where hair follicles (usually taken from the back of the scalp) are transplanted into the beard area. It offers a more permanent solution but is expensive, carries risks and may not work for everyone.
It you’re feeling fristarted as to why your facial hair is growing so slow, don’t be! In many cases there are ways to speed it up. A good starting place for slow beard growers is lifestyle measures and skincare to support skin and hair follicle health. Over the counter, prescription and professional beard growth treatments can further help improve thickness, length and reduce patchiness. Surgery also remains an option for some people depending on the cause of their slower beard growth. Whatever you do, avoid gimmicks and quick fix solutions. Seek medical help especially if you have sudden slowing in facial hair growth, have hair loss elsewhere or other symptoms.
At City Skin Clinic, we are devoted to personalised hair and beard growth treatments. Our online skin clinic offers safe and effective individualised treatments using prescription-strength ingredients including Tretinoin, Hydroquinone, Minoxidil, Caffeine and Melatonin where appropriate. To start your personalised treatment plan, book a virtual video consultation or use our online consultation form. The journey towards great skin (and hair) starts here.
