Itchiness is a common complaint of many beard wearers out there, whether they’re new to the beard-sporting business or veterans of the fashion for facial hair. But just as you wouldn’t accept an itchy scalp as the cost of wearing a new hairstyle, neither should you have to tolerate itchiness in your beard. Although most people can live with some itchiness, it can quickly progress from minor discomfort to constant scratching. Before you know it, your annoying itch has morphed into skin irritation. This brief article will tell you what you need to know to stop your beard itching and to soothe the skin under your beard.
What Causes An Itchy Beard?
As there are different causes of itching depending upon whether the beard is new or fully established, we shall look at the two separately.
New Beards
When you first decide to let your beard grow out a bit, you may experience some itching to the growing stubble. Since you have only just stopped shaving, the growing hairs have a sharp edge left from the last time you shaved. These sharp edges are tough, and as the hairs push out, they scrape against the edges of the follicles, causing irritation. This irritation results in itching and explains why you get the urge to scratch your face when new hair is coming up.
Established Fully Grown Beards
You may also experience an itchy face if you have a fully grown beard, but for different reasons. The most common cause of itching when you have an established beard is dry skin under the hair growth. Facial hair draws up moisture from the skin to the surface of the follicles where it evaporates quickly. This process results in dehydration of your facial skin, causing your skin to become extremely dry or flaky. This extreme dryness can lead to the occurrence of beard dandruff. Additionally, the dead skin cells removed by daily exfoliation or face washing can become trapped in your beard. Dirt and oil build-up are also common causes of skin irritation.
How To Stop An Itchy Beard
Getting rid of an itchy beard and establishing a routine to prevent it from ever itching again is easier than you think. Here are a few easy steps to help you say goodbye to the problem forever.
- Cleanse – cleansing is not just for women; men’s skin ages just the same as women’s skin, after all. Regular cleansing and exfoliation will do wonders for your facial skin. Cleansing removes dead skin cells and stops dirt from accumulating in your beard. Do not use regular shampoo on your face, as the skin on your face is more sensitive. Choose a beard-specific shampoo and cleanser which are gentle on your beard and facial skin.
- Condition – argan and jojoba oil are excellent ingredients for beard conditioners and will help detangle and soften your beard. Use a conditioner after washing, leaving it in for a few minutes before rinsing out.
- Carefully dry your beard – beard rash can result from dehydration if you don’t fully dry your beard after washing and conditioning. Gently towel-dry your beard and soak up any excess water.
- Moisturise – use light beard oil or lotion to soften your facial hair and nurture your skin underneath. Pick a product that can deliver moisture to your skin while softening your beard and offering relief from itchiness.
- Brush your beard – finally, give your beard a clean shape and smoother texture by regular brushing. The added benefit of regular brushing is that it trains your beard hair to grow in a single direction, preventing ingrown hairs and itchiness.
The five-step formula above will ensure you eliminate the root cause of an itchy beard and simultaneously act as a preventive measure. The health of your facial skin will improve, and so will the texture of your beard.
Skincare Is Not Just For Women
Ok, so in this article, we have tackled the cause of an itchy beard and given you a simple five-step solution for preventing it. Looking after your skin and not just your beard is essential too. More men are turning to anti-ageing skin products to reduce the signs of wrinkles. Most guys worry about the wrinkles around the eyes, and the great news is that there are procedures to tackle exactly those types of wrinkles.
Vinci Aesthetics Clinic caters to both men and women who want to look their best. Some of the aesthetic treatments on offer include chemical peels which are great for treating pigmentation issues and wrinkles. You can also opt for anti-wrinkle injections which smooth the wrinkles around the eyes, a concern for many men. Discover how else you can improve the look of your skin in addition to having an itch-free beard. Get in touch with Vinci Aesthetics and book your consultation today.
