Table of contents:
- 1. Testosterone can indeed accelerate beard growth, but ...
- 2. Beards can reduce the risk of skin cancer
- 3. Smoking interferes with beard growth
- 4. Frequent shaving of the beard does not increase or accelerate growth
Growing a beard or beard is increasingly becoming a trend these days. However, it is not uncommon for men who have tried so hard to grow beards, but fail. Other problems sometimes also occur among men with beards, such as if they want to thicken their beards.
Quoted from howstuffworks.com , people with thick or heavy beards have many hair follicles on their faces. Genes, hormones and age also affect how many hair follicles a person has. Apart from transplanting follicles from several parts of the body to the face, there is nothing more you can do to increase the number.
Apart from genetic factors and the number of hair follicles, the chatter around beards also involves a number of other interesting facts.
1. Testosterone can indeed accelerate beard growth, but…
Many men increase their testosterone levels in order to grow or widen their beards. Unfortunately, according to Professor Joe Herbert, a hormone specialist at the University of Cambridge, they are a complete waste of money.
"Testosterone only increases facial hair growth if a person's testosterone levels are low or not at optimal levels," says Herbert.
This endocrinologist also said, the level of testosterone in each man is different. In addition, the size and quality of facial hair really depends on how many hair follicles are on your face, how they are spread, and whether your face contains enough receptors to see your testosterone levels.
People who are unable to grow a beard due to a lack of testosterone can supplement their testosterone with some of the supplements available, although the most noticeable effect is the drain on their pockets. However, unfortunately the use of testosterone supplements to increase testosterone levels in the body can be bad.
"Taking a lot of testosterone supplements can also damage your body. Your liver can be damaged, your risk of heart attack can increase, and it can lead to other vascular problems. "High testosterone can also increase the size of your prostate, which can cause urinary infections and worsen the risk of prostate cancer," said Herbert as reported. Telegraph .
2. Beards can reduce the risk of skin cancer
Who would have thought that growing a beard would reduce the risk of cancer? Yes, based on a study conducted by a number of researchers at the University of Southern Queensland, beards are proven to have health benefits. Beards are able to block 95% of harmful UV rays from touching the skin, and this will reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.
Not only does it reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, as reported Huffingtonpost , men with asthma who have a beard usually have less asthma symptoms as the beard grows. This is because beards help prevent dust and pollen from entering the respiratory system. A thick beard that covers part of your face will make your skin look healthier and younger.
3. Smoking interferes with beard growth
Cigarettes contain more than 4,800 chemicals and it can cause oxidative stress to any hair growth and pigmentation. However, hair and scalp expert Lisa Gilbey of Northants Hair & Scalp Clinic, said the actual effect of smoking on hair growth has not been fully implemented.
“What we do know now is that smoking has an aging effect. By interfering with circulation, eventually capillary blood flow to the hair roots is reduced. The result makes skin cells reject the optimal need for normal hair growth, ”says Lisa.
Lisa added, smoking can deplete many vitamins that contain free radical-destroying cells. When the B vitamins are depleted, the metabolic pathways for melanin (the color pigment) go awry. The result can make hair on the body gray faster.
4. Frequent shaving of the beard does not increase or accelerate growth
There is a myth that is most common among men, that by frequently shaving your beard, your beard will grow faster and will also be thicker or thicker. Unfortunately that is wrong.
David Alexander, male hair care expert explained in his writing at menshair.about.com , that hair is basically protein and keratin, it has no blood intake or nervous system.
"Your body doesn't know if your beard is shaved (or 5 cm long), because hair has no way of communicating that information to your body," says David.
In the 1970 study published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology, it is ensured that shaving does not change the thickness or amount of hair growth a person has. The study involved 5 young men, all of whom were asked to shave one leg and the other leg for comparison.
Men often believe that shaving causes the beard to grow faster or heavier, but facial hair generally grows more and faster with age.