7 Ways A Beard Can Improve Your Health
As a certified strength and conditioning coach, I focus a lot on fitness and nutrition, but a different kind of health topic often comes up. Many guys in the fitness world, from trainers to supplement developers, sport some kind of facial hair. It might be a closely trimmed beard or a full-on lumberjack style.
Some see a beard as a symbol of power, while others might view it as unkempt. No matter your opinion, the health benefits of a beard are worth considering. Many people don’t realize that a great beard requires dedicated care. This means regular trimming, shaping, and using products like beard oil to keep both the hair and the skin underneath healthy.
There’s a common belief that beards just grow in looking perfect. Anyone with a beard knows that’s not the case. Just like the hair on your head, your beard and the skin on your face need consistent attention to stay in top shape.
Related Article: Style Mastery — Choosing The Best Beard Combs
If you thought growing a beard was just a style choice, prepare to learn about the surprising health advantages of ditching your razor.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, changing your daily nutrition, or adding any supplements to your regimen.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Sun Protection: A thick beard can block up to 95% of harmful UV rays, significantly lowering your risk for certain skin cancers.
- Skin Health: Growing a beard eliminates shaving-related irritation, which can reduce acne, razor bumps, and folliculitis.
- Natural Filter: Your beard acts as a filter, trapping allergens like pollen and dust before they can enter your respiratory system.
- Insulation and Moisture: A beard provides a layer of insulation against cold weather and helps your skin retain its natural oils, keeping it moisturized.
Can a Beard Improve Your Health?
Absolutely. A beard is more than just a style statement; it can offer real, measurable health benefits. Below, we break down how growing out your facial hair can positively impact your well-being, from protecting your skin to improving your respiratory health.
1. Get more of your time back
Have you ever calculated how much time you spend shaving? The numbers are surprising. Research shows that the average man can spend around 45 days of his entire life just shaving. That’s over 1,000 hours you could get back.
Think about what you could do with an extra month and a half. That time adds up, giving you more freedom to focus on things that truly make you happy and healthy, like exercise and proper nutrition. It’s a simple way to improve your quality of life.
2. Prevent skin cancer by growing a beard
A full, thick beard does more than just look good, it acts as a natural sunblock. A landmark study from the University of Southern Queensland found that a beard can block up to 95% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. This protection directly lowers your risk of developing skin cancers on the covered areas.
This research, published in the journal Radiation Protection Dosimetry, used mannequins with and without beards to measure UV exposure. The results showed a significant reduction in UV radiation, with the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of facial hair ranging from 2 to 21. By shielding your skin from the sun, a beard also helps prevent wrinkles and slow the aging process.
3. Keep your face warm in the winter
When the temperature drops, a beard provides an extra layer of insulation. It’s particularly effective at blocking wind and cold, which helps prevent your skin from drying out in harsh weather. The longer and thicker your beard, the more warmth and protection you get.
In fact, research from the U.S. Army shows that while a beard doesn’t impact your core body temperature, it provides significant localized insulation. The study found that a dense beard could delay the onset of frostbite on the face by up to 1,100 minutes compared to being clean-shaven, even when wearing a balaclava. A 2012 study in China also found that the skin on men’s upper lips was, on average, one degree warmer than their hairless cheeks.
4. Keep acne at bay
Shaving is a major cause of skin irritation for many men. The process can create small cuts and abrasions that allow bacteria to enter pores, leading to acne, razor bumps, and even infections like folliculitis. By growing a beard, you eliminate this source of irritation entirely.
According to dermatologist Dr. Sam Awan, while beards themselves don’t cause acne, poor grooming can. However, for many, not shaving reduces the chances of inflammation around hair follicles, which is a common cause of pimple-like bumps. Furthermore, your beard helps protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier by shielding the sebaceous glands, preventing the skin from drying out and becoming irritated.
5. Reduce allergy symptoms
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, your beard can act as a natural filter. Much like your nose hairs, a beard and mustache can trap airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander before they enter your nose or mouth. This physical barrier can help reduce symptoms like sneezing and congestion.
One study even suggested that mustaches and beards could reduce the amount of pollen entering the nasal cavity by up to 50%. Dr. Michael Moore, an ENT specialist, noted that by trapping allergens close to your mouth and nose, a beard may help you build up immunity over time through gradual exposure. Of course, this benefit depends on keeping your beard clean to wash the trapped particles away regularly.
6. Ward off throat disease
Building on the idea of a natural filter, a beard can also trap airborne bacteria before they travel down your throat. While the original text cites a book from 1875, modern research provides a more current perspective. A study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection examined swabs from hospital workers with and without beards.
The results were fascinating. Clean-shaven men were three times more likely to carry MRSA, a dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria, on their faces. Researchers believe the micro-abrasions from shaving can become breeding grounds for bacteria. In contrast, some microbes found in beards may actually have antibiotic properties, helping to fight off harmful bacteria.
7. Keeps your skin moist
A beard does wonders for your skin’s hydration. By shielding your face from wind and sun, it helps prevent the natural oils produced by your sebaceous glands from being stripped away. This protective layer keeps your skin soft, hydrated, and healthy.
This natural moisture retention helps give your skin a more youthful appearance by reducing the signs of aging. A man who wears a beard for many years will often find that the skin underneath is smoother and has fewer wrinkles compared to exposed areas like the forehead.
FAQs About Beard and Health
Is a beard healthier than being clean-shaven?
In many ways, yes. A beard can protect your skin from UV damage, reduce shaving-related irritation and infections, and act as a filter for allergens. A 2016 study in the Journal of Hospital Infection found clean-shaven men were more likely to harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria than their bearded counterparts.
Do beards cause acne?
A beard itself doesn’t cause acne, but it can trap oil, dirt, and bacteria if not cleaned properly. For many men, however, growing a beard helps reduce acne by eliminating razor burn and the ingrown hairs associated with pseudofolliculitis.
How often should you wash your beard?
Most experts recommend washing your beard 2-3 times per week with a dedicated beard shampoo. Washing it daily can strip away the natural oils that keep both the hair and the skin underneath moisturized. Always follow up with a beard oil or conditioner.
Can a beard really help with asthma?
Yes, it can. By filtering out dust, pollen, and other irritants that can trigger asthma symptoms, a beard serves as a first line of defense for your respiratory system. According to the American Lung Association, a larger, bushier beard is more effective at filtering these particles.
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