How to grow beard faster

Before discussing how you can grow out your facial hair quickly, it is only obvious to know the chemistry behind your facial hair growth. Well, it is a complex process that is initiated by a signal from the hypothalamus (a part of the brain). This signal starts the production of a hormone called Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This hormone travels to the pituitary gland, where it stimulates the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Together LH and FSH  are called “gonadotropins”.

Once gonadotropins are secreted, they make their way down to testicles through blood vessels. Here LH stimulates testicular leydig cells to start converting cholesterol to testosterone “the key male hormone”, which is eventually distributed all over the body.

An enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase converts some testosterone into a more potent form called dihydrotestosterone or DTH. Testosterone and DTH are the main hormones that determine facial hair growth in men. However, to actuate this function, these hormones need to bind to specific androgen receptors first. A dysfunction or lack of these receptors also affects facial hair growth.

There could be many reasons behind sparse hair growth on your cheeks. Some of them are listed below.

• Age: Typically facial hair appears in men in the later part of puberty, which is usually 17-20 years of age. This development of facial hair continues for a long period. So, if you are below the age of 17, then you have to wait for a little while before you can flaunt a full moustache.
• Testosterone level: If you are old enough and still don't have a beard or you have a patch beard, chances are you lack facial hair follicles. One of the possible reason for this may be less amount of testosterone.  But how to confirm your testosterone level? Here are a few easy ways:
  • If you lack sexual desire or you have an erection problem, then you may have a low testosterone level.
  • Low Testosterone also affects muscle build up. If you can’t bulk up even after a high-intensity workout and protein supplements, chances are your testosterone levels are to blame.
• Obesity also affects the level of testosterone. So if you are overweight then start working out. (Read more: How to lose weight)

Though all these factors may also be associated with other problems and don’t necessarily point to a testosterone deficiency. So the best way ascertain your testosterone levels is to get a lab test.

• Low DHT level: If you have healthy testosterone levels and still have less hair growth on your face, there is a good chance that there may be an issue with your DHT level. DHT is another hormone similar to testosterone and has a major role in promoting facial hair growth during puberty. However, an excess of DHT may make you prone to male pattern baldness and alopecia. DHT levels can be increased naturally by including certain foods in the diet such as pumpkin seeds, green tea, and leafy greens.
• Desensitized Androgen receptors: Some men have normal hormone levels but still can't get enough facial hair. This may be because their androgen receptors don't bind with testosterone and DHT, leading to sparse or no hair growth.
• Genes: Age and hormones are definitely the deciding factors for hair growth. But there is a catch to it. Even at the age of 17 and above, your genetic may not allow you to have a full stache, especially if your father didn't have enough facial hair. Research suggests that every individual is born with a specific number of hair follicles, which is determined by their genes. These follicles get activated during puberty. However, the good news is that beard gene can come from either side of the family tree. So if you are lucky enough then you can still get a good beard.
• Alopecia: It is an autoimmune condition that is characterised by severe hair loss and hairless patches. Alopecia usually affects the scalp but may also reduce hair growth all over the body. In this condition, your own immune system attacks and damages your hair follicles, leading to a reduction in hair growth. The damage is not permanent but may last for years and requires treatment and supplements to reinduce hair growth.

Whether you just got your growth spurt or are looking forward to sporting that perfect beard at the earliest, you might be glad to know that facial hairs grow much faster than your scalp hairs. So, you may get a beard much earlier than you anticipated. But here are some easy tips and tricks just to give that last push to your facial hair growth.

• Take care of your face
  Proper skin care goes a long way when it comes to hair growth promotion. Accumulated dirt and oil can clog the pores leading to poor facial hair growth. So, to get that perfect stubble, it is only obvious that you wash your face properly and regularly. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, men’s skin is a bit harder than women but their basic skin care routine does not differ. Choose any mild facewash, specially marketed for me, that suits your skin type. Wash your face at least twice a day. If you have an oily skin type go for a few extra washes. Also, exfoliate your skin every week with any good scrub. Cleaning your face will remove all the dirt and dead cells on your skin and will create a better environment for hair to grow.
• Moisturize your face
  Just like face wash, moisturizing is an important part of a healthy skin care routine. A good moisturizer helps lock in water in your skin, which keeps your skin healthy and young. As a plus point, It also ensures that you get a soft beard instead of a prickly and scarping stubble. The market place is sprawling with organic and natural moisturizers for your skin type so finding one is definitely not a problem. On a side note, eucalyptus-based moistures are preferred by a lot of people since they are known for promoting hair growth. Though there is no scientific evidence to confirm this so far. You can also use eucalyptus oil as it accelerates hair growth. Eucalyptus has 75% 1,8 cineole with increases blood flow and hence accelerate hair growth.
• Check for any ingrown hair
  Hair, which curl and grow inside the skin instead of growing out, are known as ingrown hair. These generally appear due to lack of exfoliation and skin care and interfere with or block the growth of new hair. So, it is important to get rid of them before you can expect to get an all new hair growth. There are many ways to remove them at home but it is best to take the help of a professional to avoid unnecessary pain. Alternatively, you can even go for laser-based removal.
• Let it grow
  The best trick to speed up facial hair growth is to be patient. Don't start to trim your facial hair soon as you start to see a 5 o’ clock shadow. Give them some time to grow. Shave only after 3-4 weeks. Shaving will reduce the amount of hair grown and will also decrease its growing speed.
• Stop using beard oils and sprays
  The increasing trend of facial hairs has given way to an entirely different range of beard grooming products. One look at the supermarket aisle and it is quite obvious to get confused with the number of options available. However, experts suggest that hair growth is determined by genes and no amount of external product can actually make it faster. All that these products do is create a healthier atmosphere for your hair to grow, which you can anyway do with a good skincare routine. 
• Hormone supplements for beard growth
  If low testosterone and androgen receptors are keeping you from a thick stubble, it can be easily corrected by taking supplements. These are especially prepared drugs that stimulate the production of testosterone and DHT in your body. Some supplements also help in activation of androgen receptors. As a word of caution, it is always best to refer to a doctor before taking any supplements.
• Derma rollers
  Derma rollers and micro needling is an easy and effective method to improve facial hair growth. In this procedure, small punctures are made on your face, with the help of microneedles, so as to improve blood circulation in your skin. An improved blood circulation leads to better nourishment of skin cells, which helps stimulates the formation of entirely new hair follicles and also enhances the repair processes in your skin. Additionally, this procedure helps the skin care products reach deeper into your epidermis for optimum functioning.
• Red light therapy
  Red light therapy is yet another method that can aid you in getting a thicker and more luscious beard. Research studies suggest that irradiation with near-infrared wavelengths is helpful in promoting skin rejuvenation and reducing hair loss in alopecia patients. While this treatment may not make new hair to grow, it can certainly put a stop to hair loss
• Lose weight
  Fat mass increases the production of estrogen and reduces the testosterone level. It also breaks down DHT. So,  if you are overweight or obese, losing weight may aid in promoting beard growth. Precise knowledge of your BMI may help you ascertain if you need to lose weight or not. If you fall under the overweight category, it is best to take actions immediately or else no treatment will work on you. Including healthy foods and regular workout are the best ways to shed some kilos quickly.

Beard health is closely linked to your diet and food habits. To improve facial hair growth you need to include some vitamin and protein-rich foods in your diet. Try using fresh food rather than preserved and packed food items. The latter contain high amounts of preservatives, which do more harm than good. Add loads of vitamin B6 in your meals. Here are some food items which you can choose :

• Eggs: Eggs are one of the best beard foods. They host a high amount of protein, which is an essential building block of hair. Egg also contains cholesterol and omega 3 fatty acid, which help in testosterone production. However, you need to consume the whole egg, ignoring yolk won't get you that rugged look fast.
• Orange: Orange is considered the best fruit for hair growth. It contains ample amounts of fructose and vitamin C. Research suggests that fructose lowers the amount of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which otherwise binds with testosterone and DHT and reduces their activity. Furthermore, vitamin C helps keep your skin young. This means your facial hairs would grow at the same speed as it did when you were younger.
• Potatoes: Our body needs carbohydrates for the production of testosterone and potatoes are one of the highest sources of gluten-free carbohydrates. So, adding potatoes to your diet is the cheapest and easiest ways to raise your testosterone levels.
• White button mushrooms: If you are not allergic to this delectable fungi, white button mushrooms can be a great addition to your diet. Not only they provide you with lots of natural protein, a macronutrient essential for preserving youth but also it cleaves the aromatase enzyme in your body. Aromatase enzyme converts testosterone to estrogen. This leads to a reduction in the amount of testosterone in the body. Consumption of white button mushroom can save much of your testosterone from being lost to this conversion and hence increases the growth of facial hair.
• Coffee: Coffee can do much more than just waking you up for the day. It contains a huge amount of antioxidants and magnesium, which helps in the production of testosterone (especially if you drink it before working out ), ultimately increasing hair growth. Switching over to coffee yet?
• Olive oil: In this health-conscious generation of this day, you don’t have to be a health fanatic to know about the benefits of olive oil. It is an excellent source of unsaturated fatty acids, which aid in increasing HDL levels in the body and countering obesity. This, in turn, helps in maintaining the optimum production of testosterone and DHT. Furthermore, olive oil increases luteinizing hormone, which has a direct effect on improving testosterone production.
• Biotin supplements: Biotin supplements are all the rage these days to get better hair growth on the face. But is it actually effective? Well, you might be glad to know that the efficacy of biotin in promoting facial hair growth has been confirmed by research studies, especially in the case of inherited biotin deficiency. However, not much can be confirmed when it comes to the effect of biotin on healthy individuals. So, it is best to check in with a healthcare expert to know more about biotin supplements and if they actually work towards better hair growth.