New research shows that beards likely evolved to help men boost their standing amongst other men. Astudy by Nigel Barber, using data on British facial hair trends from 1842-1971, found that men with beards and mustaches increased as the number of marriage-age women decreased.
Men grow beards because the hair follicles on their jaw are stimulated by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is produced from testosterone. Women have the same number of follicle cells on their faces as men, but these are less sensitive to DHT, and females also have lower testosterone levels to begin with.
In some studies, bearded men are shown as not only masculine and dominant but also kind, courageous, trustworthy, generous, hard working and more attractive, especially when their character comes across as quietly confident in their approach to life.
It's a combination of genetic and non-genetic factors. Unlike the genetics of head hair, which has been studied extensively, scientists don't yet fully understand the role of DNA in facial hair thickness. But in general, if your father or grandfather had thick beard hair, you're likely to have a thick beard also.
The health benefits of beards
Beards can: Protect skin from sun damage. Beards can help protect the skin from harmful UV rays, though the degree of protection may depend on hair density and thickness. “You're going to have some protection because hair is a reflective medium,” says Dr.
Dixson and Robert C Brooks aimed to decipher the role of facial hair in women's perceptions of attractiveness, and the results were undeniable. After judging a number of pictures featuring men with varying degrees of facial hair, the vast majority of women found full-bearded men to be the top dogs in the mix.
The average lifespan of head hair is two to seven years, while a beard will stop growing after two to six years. That's a difference, certainly, yet this doesn't take into account how fast your hair grows — the average is a half-inch each month, but this also varies significantly by individual.
It's a fairly common misconception that a man's beard is inherited directly from his father. The truth is that beards are just like most other genetically derived features: they can come from either side of the family. The unique feature of beards, obviously, is that they don't appear until maturity.
Different men believe that a thicker and fuller beard symbolizes power. In other societies, great leaders are often identified by their beards. Facial hair is also associated with wealth and high status in society. Other studies indicate that men with beards often exhibit dominance over other groups of people.
The Stubble
The study also found that although women saw men with heavy stubble to be less ready to settle down than their full bearded counterparts, they also rated them as the most attractive overall.
If you want a short, subtle shadow, keep the length to less than 2 mm. If you're looking for a fashionable mid length, go for 2-3 mm, and if you want a heavier stubble, try 4-5 mm.
In a paper in Integrative Organismal Biology, Dr. Carrier and his team describe a study they conducted suggesting that beards may have evolved in humans to protect vulnerable bones during physical competition for mates.
Yes, your beard can get thicker with age. But you'll need to be patient—it may take years to achieve the fullness and density you want. The exact amount of growth depends on a number of factors: genetics, diet, stress levels and overall health—all things that affect hair growth in general.
Beards never truly stop growing, but do tend to level out into something called a “terminal length.” Terminal beard length is determined by your genetics.
Low Testosterone Levels
Testosterone is a hormone that largely affects facial hair growth. Low level of this hormone means less chances of growing a beard.
Men with high testosterone can experience a variety of troubling symptoms and possible health consequences. Excess testosterone can lead to more aggressive and irritable behavior, more acne and oily skin, even worse sleep apnea (if you already have it), and an increase in muscle mass.
Some men are able to grow full, thick beards while others struggle to grow any facial hair at all. In general, it is estimated that around 15-20% of men are unable to grow a beard. This figure could be higher or lower depending on the definition of "beardlessness".
Excluding limited exemptions for religious accommodation, the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps have policies that prohibit beards on the basis of hygiene and the necessity of a good seal for chemical weapon protective masks.
Additionally, the simple presence of your beard is automatically helpful in slowing the aging process. Wherever hair follicles exist, your skin is thicker. The follicles along with the oil glands toughen the skin. Thicker skin experiences less damage in the long run.
Emotional Healing and Self-Expression. After a breakup, many guys feel a sense of loss and uncertainty. They may also experience a lack of control over the situation and their own emotions. Growing a beard can be a way to take back some control and express themselves in a new way.
One of the most important characteristics that most women seek is modesty. Outspokenness, charity, and honesty are further feminine appeal traits that are always observed, along with humility. Nothing appeals to a woman more than a man with a great sense of self.
Beards are often associated with masculinity and are thought to indicate that a man is mature, strong, and capable. 2 Beards can also be seen as a sign of maturity and wisdom, which can be appealing to women who are looking for a more sophisticated, much more experienced and intelligent partner.