'Tis time I was a real man!...

arybvtcw0eolkf

I'm considering growing a beard and wondering if there's any tricks or hints to getting there?.

I don't have a heavy growth, even at 40 yrs old!.

I'm just after retiring from the Defence Forces and going through the process of becoming a 'civie' again!.

I was wondering if keeping it short and trimmed for awhile will thicken it, and how long does it take to get over the itch?... I have a three day growth at the moment.

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Mairt wrote:

I'm considering growing a beard and wondering if there's any tricks or hints to getting there?.

Don't shave for a while.

brianthebard

Don't shave. Sorry seems obvious but just let it grow for about a month before you start to mess with it. Its going to look a bit crappy the first week or three when it just looks like lazy stubble but after that it will start to look like a proper beard....(is it odd that a 20yo is telling a 40yo how to grow a beard???)

Also, what colour hair have you and does your stubble come out the same colour?

caff

The first itchiness goes away after it gets close to an inch long. As it gets longeri gets softer so its not rought anymore. However this means it does tend to tickle, which takes a bit longer to get used, especially when you try to sleep if you are not used to it.

Different for everyone though, hair can grow straight, curly or ways in between.

nesf

Eh, moved to FAP, I'm sure they'll be able to help you colour co-ordinate your wardrobe to match your patchy progress every step of the way.

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brianthebard wrote:

Also, what colour hair have you and does your stubble come out the same colour?

You will probably get some early red growth in your facial hair.

brianthebard

seansouth wrote:

You will probably get some early red growth in your facial hair.

Pardon? I was asking the op, not asking for myself. When I grew a beard I had a lot of ginger hair in it, which wasn't so great given my black hair. so that may be an issue for the op, I don't know.

arybvtcw0eolkf

brianthebard wrote:

Also, what colour hair have you and does your stubble come out the same colour?

I've red hair, and the growth is a mixture of red and 'ahem' gray!.

nesf

seansouth wrote:

You will probably get some early red growth in your facial hair.

How long does that last for? My stubble comes out piebald, half of it brown, half of it white-blond. It stays that way for at least 3-4 weeks, which is the longest I've left off shaving for.

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brianthebard wrote:

Pardon? I was asking the op, not asking for myself. When I grew a beard I had a lot of ginger hair in it, which wasn't so great given my black hair. so that may be an issue for the op, I don't know.

Sorry, it was a general 'you' rather than directed at you.

Same happened to me. Happened to a few mates aswell. Seems to happen to a lot of people.

Not that it bothers the OP though, as he has a head of red hair.

brianthebard

Indeed, I see now. the gray is much better than ginger in a black beard, definately!

Also OP, I don't keeping it trimmed will make it thicken, its just a case of letting it grow. If this is your first time growing a beard then it will probably itch like a mofo for a long long time under your chin and jaw where your face meets your neck. After the first time it isn't so bad though...

arybvtcw0eolkf

Just an update...

I shaved!.

The beard drove me crazy.

Thanks for the advice anyway gentlemen.