Is having a beard actually healthy? It might seem like just a style choice, but there’s more to it than looks. Sure, a beard can boost confidence and add a more rugged feel to your appearance. That part is obvious. But that’s not the whole story.
Some research suggests there may be real health benefits too. So it’s not just about looking good or feeling better about yourself. A beard might also play a small role in how your body deals with certain things.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection found that clean-shaven men may be more likely to carry certain harmful bacteria than those with beards. That goes against the old belief that beards are less hygienic. It doesn’t mean beards are perfect, but it does suggest they may not be as risky as people once thought.
Health Benefits of Having A Beard:
Basically, deciding to shave your beard is denying yourself from a variety of health benefits
Preventing Skin Cancer:
All the Ultra-Violet radiation that the sun sends in our direction is no good for our skin. It can cause sunburns and in the long term, render the skin wrinkled and saggy. At the same time, it is neither good for the eyes. That’s why it’s encouraged to wear sunglasses and use sunscreen.
There’s another concern people often overlook—too much sun exposure. Over time, that can increase the risk of skin damage and even skin cancer. A beard may offer some help here.
A study from 2012 in sunny Australia found that a thick beard can block a large amount of UV rays—sometimes up to around 90–95%. That doesn’t replace sunscreen, of course, but it does add an extra layer of protection.
So if you spend a lot of time under strong sunlight, growing a beard might be worth thinking about. And on a lighter note, it can also save you from that awkward moment when you shave and suddenly reveal a much paler chin.
See also: Do Electric Shavers Cause Ingrown Hair? Exploring the Truth
Keeping Your Face Moisturized:
Even though it can get dry during the day, your face is equipped with sebaceous glands that maintain the moisture of your face by secreting oils. The downside is that moisture can slip away quite easily, especially with wind and strong sun. Over time, that can leave your skin feeling dry.
This is where a beard may help. It can hold onto your skin’s natural oils and reduce moisture loss. As a result, your skin may stay softer and less prone to dryness.
Just make sure that you don’t apply harsh soaps to your beard so that you don’t take away its oils which will make your skin vulnerable to drying out. Make use of beard oil and conditioner to maintain its health
No More Shaving Hassle:
Shaving isn’t the most fun activity in the world. It can be pretty irritating. If not done correctly, it can lead to cuts, ingrown hair, and folliculitis. What we’re trying to say is, throw away your razor, spare your face the torture and let it bask in the warmth of your beard.
Allergy Prevention:
While it remains debatable, there appears to be a relation linking the decrease in allergy symptoms to having a beard. A beard can act as a light barrier, helping to keep some allergens like pollen from reaching your nose, mouth, or eyes.
There’s also the idea that small amounts of trapped allergens might help your body build some tolerance over time, a bit like with hay fever. That said, it’s not a guarantee, and it works only if you keep things clean.
If you don’t wash your beard often, it can turn into the opposite of a filter. It may start holding onto dust and pollen, making it easier for those particles to get into your mouth or onto your skin.
Helping with Asthma:
Life isn’t a walk in the park for those with asthma; we understand their pain. If you have asthma, a beard may offer some extra support. As mentioned earlier, facial hair can act as a simple filter by catching some particles before they reach your nose and lungs.
This may help reduce exposure to certain irritants that can trigger breathing issues. However, a beard is not a treatment for asthma. Keeping it clean is important so it does not collect dust or other particles that could make symptoms worse.
Related: Salt And Pepper Beard Styles – The Best For Older Guys
Illness Prevention:
Having a beard can give you a bit of warmth around the face relative to other people without facial hair, which can help out a bit in colder places where you mostly spending time outside. The extra warmth from a beard may also be helpful during colder months. It can help protect your face from chilly air and harsh weather, which may make winter feel a bit easier.
Some people believe this added warmth can help reduce the impact of common winter problems like colds and flu. While a beard is not a cure or a shield against illness, keeping your face warm and protected can still be a useful benefit. You don’t want to shiver in the cold and sneeze your lungs out? Let that beard do its job.
There’s the Confidence Boost:
As you’ve read, a beard can pack with it a bunch of physical benefits. But of course, it doesn’t just stop at that. Having a beard can really affect the way your mind works. Braun, the German company, has done a survey on this matter.
It culminated the answers of 1000 men from New York. Around 67% of them had grown some form of facial hair at least once in their lives. About half of those people said they felt they looked better with a beard and had also received compliments because of it. About half of the interviewee felt that they get a confidence boost from their beards.
What does this have to do with the topic of the article? A healthy mind makes for a healthy body. There’s a correlation between the two. If you feel better in your head, you’ll feel better in your body.
Sex life:
We have a prominent accumulation of data out there that undeniably supports the notion that a beard can very well improve a man’s sex life. And yes, an improvement in sex life is a health benefit in many ways. The idea isn’t new. People have long suggested that growing a beard can influence how attractive a man appears.
A study from the University of Northumbria in the UK, published in 2008, looked into this. It found that many women tended to see bearded men as more appealing partners, whether for something casual or a more serious relationship. Some of the traits often linked to bearded men included confidence, masculinity, and a certain sense of toughness.
Of course, this doesn’t apply to everyone. Still, it gives a hint as to why beards can shape first impressions in a noticeable way.
But most importantly, what you must understand is how sex can improve your health. It can decrease the risk of prostate cancer and heart problems, plus it can help you with getting a good night’s sleep.
Decreasing Bacterial Infection Chances:
Bacteria is everywhere, it covers our bodies, our faces included and there isn’t much that we can do to reduce its presence. When you go about shaving your beard, having cuts and wounds are almost inevitable for many guys. I think you can guess where I’m going with this.
Shaving can help bacteria penetrate our bodies’ defenses. This, of course, adds to the risk of ending up with infections. In addition to that, shaving promotes in-grown hair as well as worsening acne if you suffer from it. So again, why are you shaving?
Forget Blemishes:
Going through with shaving means cursing the delicate skin of your face with razor cuts, ingrown hair, and a bunch of other unwanted skin issues. There’s no need to go over all the benefits of skipping the razor again, but some advice is worth repeating. If you want to support healthier skin, letting your beard grow may be worth considering.
A beard is often seen as a style choice, but many men still overlook the way it can change their overall appearance. Beyond the look itself, there may be several other benefits that make growing a beard an interesting choice.
A beard can offer some protection from things in the environment and may help support your skin in certain ways. It can also improve confidence and make you feel more comfortable with your appearance. When you add it all up, it’s easy to see why many men choose to keep their beard instead of reaching for the razor.
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