Im envious, I wish l could grow a beard. It just itches the fuck out of me so much before it even hits an inch l go ballistic and run for the clippers. I tried many times, l wish l knew why. Tried special soaps, beard oils etc... always the same failed result. -/
Don't listen to the other guy. There are three distinct types of beard hair.
Black dudes. Their beards start out as ingrown hairs and turn into a fro. If this is you, your solution is primarily brushing frequently to keep the hair away from your skin.
White guy straight hair beards. These beards grow out and then mostly straight down and are very easy to manage. This is the typical nordic viking beard. It can get as long as you like without it ever getting itchy because it juts out from the skin and then just lays down. This beard is best managed through washing and oiling the skin underneath. A comb is all that is required for grooming. This is not a common beard.
White guy curly beard. These are the itchy beards and are the most common in western nations. These need to be kept either very short (1/2") or longish (1 1/2"+) to keep from itching. These beards start out growing out from your face but then curl back toward the skin at varying severities. They tickle like hell while they are just beginning to touch your skin, which happens after about a month and continues for a month or two before stopping. These beards are best managed with oil for the skin and balm for the hair itself. It coats and softens the scratchy tips and will help hold them in place with a good brushing. Washing with soap or shampoo is detrimental to these beards since it washes all the product out. Think of it like what happens to your skin if you use a strong drying soap daily without any lotion or conditioner. Your skin gets dry, flaky, and itchy. It may sound gross, but you're best off not washing these beards with anything more than warm water and that not too frequently. It may seem gross, but an average person is not going to get a stinky, sweaty, greasy face from daily activities. Wash after exercise, but primary care should be oil for the skin about twice a week and daily balm for the hair, with frequent brushing, multiple times daily.
You probably have beard number 3. Get some oil and especially a good balm, get a stiff boar bristle brush. Rinse with warm water before bed, only soap up if it gets dirty or sweaty, and don't be afraid to rub it down with your hands all day long, it will distribute the oil throughout your beard and smooth and condition it. Most importantly for itching, don't keep it in the danger zone. Either wear it short or just suck it up until you have about three months of growth, then don't let it get shorter than that. The itching will go away, but if you shave it back short again, it will come back.
Funny, lm of nordic descent (name confirmed) , but have every #3 symptom. My dad has a long viking beard, thicker and longer than Helsinki in Money Heist. Thats why l dont get why it's not working for me. Ill give it another shot some time. I might go baby-steps... start with a soul-patch, turn it into a Chris Cornell van dyke, then grow down the sideburns and let it fill out. Thanks fam.
Genetics aren't cut and dried. You just have genes from the Mediterranean mixed in with your viking genes. If your beard hair isn't nearly dead straight, treat it like #3
Irish Catholic mom, ill have to look into her side, dads side is borderline albino. But strangely mine grows pretty straight but it iches like hell at the root. It almost feels like a rash after an inch.
No special stuff needed man.. Just wash your beard with shampoo. Regularly. Get in there and scrub it up. Your face is used to being exfoliated from shaving after all these years.. thats the itch. once you get a good face scrubbin regime goin, you'll be aight.
If wind hit my face i'd proably faint from the shock of it.
Ive been trying for 20 years... played hockey as a kid, had to settle for play-off 5 o'clock shadow. I though getting older id be ok, but nope, looks like its not gonna happen. Oh well, there are worse things in life than not being able to tolerate a beard.
It itches because that's your chin learning to be a man. Let it grow, and once your follicles adjust in a month or two, it actually feels good having that extra protection on your face.
Im envious, I wish l could grow a beard. It just itches the fuck out of me so much before it even hits an inch l go ballistic and run for the clippers. I tried many times, l wish l knew why. Tried special soaps, beard oils etc... always the same failed result. -/
Don't listen to the other guy. There are three distinct types of beard hair.
Black dudes. Their beards start out as ingrown hairs and turn into a fro. If this is you, your solution is primarily brushing frequently to keep the hair away from your skin.
White guy straight hair beards. These beards grow out and then mostly straight down and are very easy to manage. This is the typical nordic viking beard. It can get as long as you like without it ever getting itchy because it juts out from the skin and then just lays down. This beard is best managed through washing and oiling the skin underneath. A comb is all that is required for grooming. This is not a common beard.
White guy curly beard. These are the itchy beards and are the most common in western nations. These need to be kept either very short (1/2") or longish (1 1/2"+) to keep from itching. These beards start out growing out from your face but then curl back toward the skin at varying severities. They tickle like hell while they are just beginning to touch your skin, which happens after about a month and continues for a month or two before stopping. These beards are best managed with oil for the skin and balm for the hair itself. It coats and softens the scratchy tips and will help hold them in place with a good brushing. Washing with soap or shampoo is detrimental to these beards since it washes all the product out. Think of it like what happens to your skin if you use a strong drying soap daily without any lotion or conditioner. Your skin gets dry, flaky, and itchy. It may sound gross, but you're best off not washing these beards with anything more than warm water and that not too frequently. It may seem gross, but an average person is not going to get a stinky, sweaty, greasy face from daily activities. Wash after exercise, but primary care should be oil for the skin about twice a week and daily balm for the hair, with frequent brushing, multiple times daily.
You probably have beard number 3. Get some oil and especially a good balm, get a stiff boar bristle brush. Rinse with warm water before bed, only soap up if it gets dirty or sweaty, and don't be afraid to rub it down with your hands all day long, it will distribute the oil throughout your beard and smooth and condition it. Most importantly for itching, don't keep it in the danger zone. Either wear it short or just suck it up until you have about three months of growth, then don't let it get shorter than that. The itching will go away, but if you shave it back short again, it will come back.
You know your shit! This was a nice read!
Funny, lm of nordic descent (name confirmed) , but have every #3 symptom. My dad has a long viking beard, thicker and longer than Helsinki in Money Heist. Thats why l dont get why it's not working for me. Ill give it another shot some time. I might go baby-steps... start with a soul-patch, turn it into a Chris Cornell van dyke, then grow down the sideburns and let it fill out. Thanks fam.
Genetics aren't cut and dried. You just have genes from the Mediterranean mixed in with your viking genes. If your beard hair isn't nearly dead straight, treat it like #3
Irish Catholic mom, ill have to look into her side, dads side is borderline albino. But strangely mine grows pretty straight but it iches like hell at the root. It almost feels like a rash after an inch.
You left out Asian guy beard, friend. Yes, some of us can grow them. :)
I don't believe you. You have facial hair, but I won't believe an actual beard without proof
No special stuff needed man.. Just wash your beard with shampoo. Regularly. Get in there and scrub it up. Your face is used to being exfoliated from shaving after all these years.. thats the itch. once you get a good face scrubbin regime goin, you'll be aight.
If wind hit my face i'd proably faint from the shock of it.
Ive been trying for 20 years... played hockey as a kid, had to settle for play-off 5 o'clock shadow. I though getting older id be ok, but nope, looks like its not gonna happen. Oh well, there are worse things in life than not being able to tolerate a beard.
It itches because that's your chin learning to be a man. Let it grow, and once your follicles adjust in a month or two, it actually feels good having that extra protection on your face.
I guess my chin is a slow learner since it's in it's 40s... 🤦♂️