Beard itch is by far the worst part of growing a beard, and really, it’s the only bad part. Well, aside from your significant another complaining about your trimmings in the sink, of course.
Every man who has ever grown a beard has had to face the wrath of the itchy beard. It’s just one of those tests you must pass in life on your way to becoming a true man.
Sometimes beard itch becomes so bad that you get all worked up every time you think about it because you have flashbacks of how it felt. And then you can feel it again, and it just makes you want to rip the hair out and scream, “not again!”.
Why Does Beard Itch?
So, you’ve tossed your razor and decided you’re going to start growing a beard. Good for you, my friend! That simple idea takes you one step closer to being a regal bearded man of distinction!
Once you get to about the 2-week mark, depending on how quickly your hair grows, you’ll wake up one morning with one of the most annoying and unbearable feelings in the bearded world, beard itch.
You’ll usually say to yourself, “What is happening?? Why does my beard itch so much? Let’s have a look at the most common causes:
Shaving
One of the reasons your beard is itching is because it cut your hair at an angle the last time you used that razor. It can cause those hairs to have sharp and jagged edges in some cases. If you use a straight razor, you’re less likely to get those sharp edges.
While your beard begins to grow, the hairs start to grow back toward your face temporarily. As you can imagine, this results in those sharp, jagged hairs rubbing against your skin and causing some severe discomfort.
Debris & Dryness
Even when you’re past the initial itchy phase, you are still prone to getting beard itch. As your facial hairstyle of choice begins to take shape, the hairs continue to rub against your skin, collecting dead skin cells, dust, dirt, and any food particles you might have been hiding in there from your favorite meal.
Particles in the air are also significant contributors when it comes to things getting collected in your beard. However, no matter how clean the air is, every beard is susceptible.
While your beard is scraping your face and at the same time collecting all those fantastic tiny particles, the skin underneath all that activity might not be getting moisture.
A lack of moisture can lead to flaky skin underneath your beard, also known as beardruff (beard dandruff). It can be the perfect breeding ground for irritation and the dreaded beard itch.
What Can You Do About The Itch?
There are some ways to help bring some relief from all that frustration and itchiness. While the initial itchy phase is unavoidable and you have to fight through, you don’t have to fight it alone.
Using Beard Oil
Beard oil will help keep those young beard hairs moisturized and softer than if you just left the hair alone. It does this by replenishing the oils that get stripped away when you wash your face.
Beard Shampoo
Beard shampoo will help when it comes to keeping that hair clean and ridding them of all those particles in the air and food scraps you so desperately wanted to save.
The shampoo also helps eliminate any dead skin cells that get stuck in your hair as your beard grows. Be sure not to use regular shampoo for your face, as it can dry it out and damage the beard follicles.
Beard shampoo traditionally has a relatively short ingredient list while adding essential oils to keep your skin and hair moisturized, healthy and robust.
Balm or Butter
A beard balm or butter can also help. By adding a soothing shea or cocoa butter base can bring more comfort. The butter will soften the hairs and nourish and soften the skin underneath, helping to get some much-needed relief.
If you’re having incredibly intense itching, try using an anti-itch cream, and if you don’t have a beard shampoo, make sure to wash your face with a facial cleanser that has as few ingredients as possible.
Some Quick Tips
- Make sure to fully dry your beard with a clean towel after getting it wet to avoid any moisture evaporating from the skin, drying it out, and causing beardruff.
- If you have extra dry skin, make sure not to use hot water when you wash your face and beard, as it will dry your skin out even more. Instead, use cool water to help retain moisture.
- Invest in a good beard conditioner to provide even more moisturization and relief.
- Avoid chronic itchiness by adapting a daily beard care regimen. It should consist of washing with a shampoo 2-3 times a week, using a conditioner after shampoo, drying your beard thoroughly with a clean towel, applying beard oil, and finishing up with a high-quality balm or butter.
BOTTOM LINE
Beard itch is a common problem among men and is unavoidable when you first start growing a beard. However, you can help combat the symptoms by using good-quality products.
Also, check out the 10 best treatments for ultimate hair care.
