Will testosterone help grow a beard?

Some men have a full beard that grows by 18 or 19. While; some 18 to 19 years old continuously have sparse areas till their mid-20s and even later. Hormones and genetics have a significant role in determining how quickly or how full your beard will grow. Besides, your lifestyle also has a substantial role in your beard growth.

Facial hair growth is controlled by a hormone known as testosterone. Testosterone level varies in different persons of different ages. Generally, the normal range of testosterone is 265 to 916 ng/dL for men who are between 19 to 38. It also represents the 3rd by 98 % for testosterone.

You can still have a scant beard despite the normal testosterone levels due to genetics. It’s because of ethnicity, variations, and genetics. You inherit genes from both of your parents. Your beard may look like your dad’s or your maternal grandfather’s.

Thus the above discussion shows that testosterone help grows a beard but so do your genetics. Besides, there is evidence that the dihydrotestosterone amount determines that hair growth. So let’s dig deep to find out; Will testosterone help grow a beard?

What causes beard growth?

Beard starts growing around puberty. It’s easy to say that the thickness and rate of facial growth are based on testosterone. Though where the beard will grow depends on genetics. In most men in their early to mid-adulthood, the average testosterone level ranges from 265 to 916 ng/dL of testosterone.

Beard growth can be affected by one’s health and skin quality. The clogged hair follicles and the ingrown hairs don’t help the beard grow. That’s why it’s essential to moisturize and exfoliate the skin to help it grow naturally.

Correlation between testosterone and beard growth

An essential factor that contributes to facial hair growth is testosterone. Testosterone levels fluctuate and depend on many factors. The normal range for men between 19 to 38 years is 164 to 916 ng/dL.

Low testosterone harms hair growth. A doctor’s recommended testosterone supplement under his supervision can help if you have a clinically low testosterone level. Taking testosterone supplements will aid in improving the testosterone supplements back to normal.

It’s also possible to have a scant beard even though the testosterone level in your body is average. It can be due to genetics, heredity, and ethnicity. Beard growth fullness can also get affected by testosterone levels. DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the body can determine the growth of the beard.

DHT is a testosterone byproduct and is activated by the enzymes that are present in the hair follicles’ oil glands. The growth of beard hairs varies. So the average beard growth rate is 0.5 inches in a month after establishing the growth pattern.

What causes the low testosterone in the body?

Low testosterone level is not the only sign of aging, as primary or secondary hypogonadism’s causes can cause it. Male hypogonadism occurs when the testicles don’t produce testosterone. Hypogonadism can develop during fetal development, adulthood, and puberty.

How to increase the Beard growth

So you want to have a fuller beard. That’s doable to a point. Just remember that your beard will only grow where it has to, but you can make it fuller and can also increase the rate of hair growth in the beard area.

• Workout routine

Daily exercise is the best way to increase testosterone levels naturally. Don’t worry; you don’t have to undergo complex hormone treatment for your beard growth. The testosterone procedure is specifically for people who have clinically low testosterone levels.

Testosterone benefits muscle growth makes them harder, and has many different roles in women. Testosterone is what drives the libido and makes you pumped. Your beard hair growth can also depend on testosterone growth.

Doing some manly things like a workout can benefit the body’s testosterone levels. Some intense exercises, such as weight lifting, can help build muscles. As the body starts bulking up, it will automatically gear up your testosterone level. Focusing on muscle building and body shaping is a great way to boost the testosterone level and improve health.

Your testosterone level changes throughout the day, so try incorporating body weight and cardio exercises into your routine. Focusing on building muscles and body shape is a great way to work out.

• Diet

A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients will benefit the growth of your beard and your body. It’s vital to keep the body mass index in the normal range, as obesity affects the testosterone level.

Some specific nutrients like zinc benefit testosterone levels. A healthy diet will not change your genetics, but it may help your hair grow healthier and fuller. Includes the following food in your diet.

• Increase in testosterone with a healthy lifestyle

The improvement in diet can benefit the testosterone level. Body fat lowers the testosterone level; you also need a complete balance of minerals and vitamins in your diet.

Focus on high-iron food, lean protein, low in carb vegetables, whole grains, and every color vegetable to get all the essential nutrients. Zinc is exceptionally beneficial for the beard and testosterone growth in our bodies. Besides, the B-suite folic acid and vitamins help in hair growth.

• Vitamins and supplements

These days various supplements specifically target beard growth. As with the diet, no miracle can alter heredity. If you cannot get all the nutrients through diet, then the multivitamins and supplements like zinc and iron can help.

• Proper sleep

Sleep is essential for improving overall health. It also benefits hair growth in our beard area. Testosterone is released during sleep. Therefore fragmented sleep, sleep apnea, and not having proper sleep can negatively impact testosterone.

According to recent research, daily sleep disturbance can lower testosterone levels, even in young men. Another study states that testosterone is at its peak at the start of the REM sleep cycle and remains until you wake up.

• Washing and moisturizing

Keeping the beard and skin clean and moisturized will give a cheerful look to the beard’s appearance. By doing the exfoliation, you are keeping the pores open. It will also help remove dirt and dead skin cells around the hair follicles. Exfoliation helps reduce the ingrown hairs present under your beard.

You can use the leave-in conditioner to nourish the hair to make your beard soft and moisturized. It will also eliminate the issue of dandruff in the beard and will make your beard fuller. You can experiment with oils, lotions, and creams to find the best one for your hair.

Conclusion

Keeping your beard moisturized and clean will make it look thicker. However, no specific routine can scientifically prove the thickening of beard hair growth. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that avocado and olive oil can make your beard thick.

These oils work like leave-in conditioners by keeping your beard moisturized and nourished.

FAQ’s

• Will testosterone help grow a beard?

Men with clinically low testosterone levels can take the supplements under their health provider’s supervision to increase their facial hair growth. If your testosterone is already at the normal range, this supplement will not give benefits.

• What stimulates beard growth?

Dihydrotestosterone and testosterone are the central stimulators that help in the stimulation and regulation of facial hair growth. In most cases, the high DHT and testosterone levels result in thick, fast, and better beard growth. Having a low T can harm beard growth.

• How can I activate the beard follicles?

Here are some practical ways to activate your follicles:

• What is the ideal age for full beard growth?

Generally, the full beard grows by age 18, but for some men, it’s when they are 30. So if you don’t have a full beard by 20, then it’s not the time yet.

• Do beard transplants last forever?

Like hair transplantation, beard transplant is a permanent restoration treatment. The hair follicles are taken from the scalp with a very low probability of shedding or thinning.

References:

• https://www.healthline.com/health/beard-growth-fast
• https://solonoirformen.com/blogs/beard-envy/fact-or-myth-more-testosterone-can-help-with-beard-growth
• https://manmatters.com/blog/how-to-increase-testosterone-level-for-beard-growth/
• https://www.businessinsider.com/beards-facial-hair-men-cant-grow-dermatologist-testosterone-2018-11
• https://balancemyhormones.co.uk/testosterone-replacement-therapy-and-beard-growth/
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-grow-beard-faster#beard-growth-tips