It is often said that having a good beard does wonders to enhance the appearance of men, but taking proper care of it is the key ingredient to maintaining one’s sleek appearance.
Having a beard has become the ultimate fashion statement for many metrosexual men. This can be seen in some of the biggest movie stars like Michael B. Jordan and Jason Momoa, but also in some of our very own star athletes like Lukhanyo Am and Ox Nche, all of whom use this as a key part of their identity, but also to complement their overall appearance.
While the motivation behind growing out a beard may vary from one person to the next, an important aspect that needs attention is how you take care of it.
Beards need cleaning and grooming to maintain hygiene, prevent skin problems, and enhance their appearance.
“A viral 2019 study published in European Radiology showed that men’s beards contain more germs than dog fur, which sparked debate about the cleanliness of facial hair, and whether beards harbor illness-causing germs,” reveals Business Insider.
The above-mentioned publication adds that beards have been known to carry infectious bacteria like Staphylococcus and Enterococcus. This can make you sick if they enter the bloodstream through a cut or other opening.
To prevent this from happening, a solution would be to wash it 2-3 times a week with shampoo, brush it regularly, and practice good hand hygiene, as that’s the easiest way germs spread to other parts of the body.
Doing regular cleaning not only removes dirt and bacteria, but also prevents tangles and split ends, keeping the skin beneath healthy.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to care for your beard, as recommended by Healthline:
- Wash 2-3 times a week – This is the first step to keeping your beard clean and healthy.
- Do not overwash – Overwashing may cause your beard and skin under it to dry out, resulting in irritation. Use a gentle shampoo and gently scrub.
- Consider your skin type – If you have sensitive skin, you might want to opt for fragrance-free products, while acne might cause you to avoid products like beard oil.
- Moisturize – this improves appearance and softens the texture, making it easier to groom and work with.
- Trim – This helps keep unwanted hair out of the mouth area, but also provides you with the option of styling your beard to your preferred length.
Also see: This is why some men cannot grow a beard