An itchy beard can be extremely unpleasant and uncomfortable. It is the number one reason why a lot of men don't grow a beard.
The itch can occur at any time, whether the beard is in the initial stages of growth or well established.
The itchy feeling can range from mild to severe — it may be easy to ignore and resolve on its own, or it might be like kryptonite to SuperMan. Here are our 7 remedies we suggest to everyone.
7 Proven ways to help grow a beard without the Itch
Because an itchy beard is a common occurrence, there are plenty of ways to deal with it. Some methods of treating an itchy beard are simple changes with your daily hygiene or cleanliness routines.
However, if the itchiness is caused by an underlying medical condition, a doctor may need to prescribe medication or antibiotics.
Below are some common ways to find relief.
1. Keeping the face clean
Follow a routine and regularly washing the beard and face will prevent dirt and bacteria from building up. It will also ensure that the skin doesn’t become too oily.
Wash the beard and face every day with warm water and cleanser. There are many beard-specific products which can be applied during or after washing. These are available to buy online.
2. Using the right beard wash
Keeping your skin and beard clean and moisturized can have a positive effect on beard appearance.
Keep your pores open by exfoliating your face. This will help remove dead skin cells and debris from around each hair follicle. It will also help reduce ingrown hairs from occurring under your beard.
Leave-in conditioners designed specifically for beards can help nourish the hair, keeping it soft and moisturized. This will eliminate beard dandruff and make your beard appear fuller. You can experiment with creams, oils, and lotions to see which kind is best for your skin type and beard. Beard Oils and Balms will help in this process as well.
3. Getting enough exercise
Exercise improves blood flow, which helps to stimulate hair follicle growth. Now your wife has real reason to lose the “dad bod”
Exercises like weightlifting and strength training may also temporarily boost testosterone. Try varying the workouts you do, as well as the time of day you do them. Testosterone levels naturally fluctuate in young men during the dayTrusted Source, spiking in the morning and ebbing in the afternoon.
4. Eating a proper diet
Good nutrition from eating a healthy, balanced diet may benefit your beard as well as your body. It’s important to keep your body mass index in the normal range, since obesity can lower testosterone.
Certain nutrients, such as zinc, may also be beneficial for testosterone levels. A healthy diet won’t override genetics, but it may help your existing hair grow healthier and more lustrous. Include the following:
- lean protein, such as chicken and salmon
- iron, such as liver
- whole grains and other healthy carbohydrates
- foods high in zinc, such as nuts and chickpeas
- healthy fats, such as those in avocados
- fruits and vegetables, such as those high in B vitamins and vitamins A, C, D, and E; these vitamins may all help with hair growth
5. Beard growth vitamins and supplements
Many supplements are specifically targeted toward beard growth. As with diet, there is no miracle cure that’s able to override heredity.
If you’re unable to get all the nutrients you need through diet, taking a supplement or multivitamin complete with iron and zinc may be just as beneficial.
6. Medicating
If the cause of an itchy beard is an underlying skin condition, a doctor can prescribe medication to address the issue.
Common medications include:
- Ointment or cream containing lactic acid and urea. This will help to treat dry skin.
- Mupirocin (Bactroban) to fight bacterial infections.
- Antifungal cream to treat fungal infections.
- Corticosteroid cream if the cause is noninfectious.
- Hydrocortisone, clobetasol (Cormax), or desonide (Desonate) can be prescribed to treat seborrheic eczema if the inflammation is noninfectious.
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral) if the cause of seborrheic eczema is a fungal infection.
- Glycolic acid (Neo-Strata) to treat pseudofolliculitis barbae.
- Topical antifungal therapy to treat mild cases of tinea barbae. Oral antifungal treatment, such as itraconazole or terbinafine, is also useful.
Keep reading to learn more about each of the above conditions.
7. Sleep
Sleep is essential for optimal overall health. It can be beneficial for beard growth, too.
The testosterone in your system is primarily released during sleep. Not getting enough rest, sleep apnea, and fragmented sleep can all adversely affect this process.
A small studyTrusted Source found that daily sleep restriction lowered testosterone levels in healthy young men. Another study found that testosterone levels peakTrusted Source at around the start of the first REM sleep cycle, and remain at that level until you wake up.