For some of us bearded The Spiraling Beard Cowlick Tips To Get guys, we get strange patches of hairs that refuse to follow the direction of the majority – and instead grow in a weird spiral pattern. No matter how much we oil and brush in the direction we want those hairs to point, they simply will not cooperate and continue doing their spiral thing.
The Spiraling Beard Cowlick Tips To Get beard cowlick. It’s also sometimes called a swirl or vortex or a whorl. While it’s a totally natural imperfection that occurs randomly, it’s still frustrating and can dash your dreams of how you always wanted your beard to look.
What Causes a Beard Cowlick?
The culprits behind this abnormal swirl-patterned growth of facial hair are genetics and/or lifestyle. Usually, genetics are the main cause, which means your spiral hair growth pattern has been handed down by previous generations. Check their beards and you’ll probably see cowlicks that refuse to be brushed into a downwards direction too. Thanks, gramps.
If the DNA inside your body isn’t the issue, then your beard cowlick is likely the result of not caring for your facial hair properly. When a beard is not cleaned well, or oiled and brushed regularly, hairs can become densely curly and get tangled into knots. Once that happens, it’s easy for the direction some hairs grow in to be sent haywire.
Who Called It a Cowlick?
We’re not sure who gave it the name, but we do know it was named after cows licking their calves and sometimes leaving swirling hair patterns.
Can You Fix a Beard Cowlick?
For a genetic cowlick, sadly, no amount of repetitive brushing and training will permanently change the direction of growth. That direction is hardwired in at the follicles.
But There’s Hope
The uncooperative hairs are usually most frustrating in the early to mid-stages of beard growth. So, if you keep your beard really short, try growing it longer!
With a stubble-length beard, the hairs in a cowlick will tend to stick straight out, which isn’t a big deal and won’t be so noticeable. When a beard reaches half an inch long or so, the “sticking out” continues and looks very different from the other hairs that behave themselves by angling downwards.
Once whiskers get longer, after about 4 months of growth, they’re weightier and can curl downwards with gravity and look more uniform although the first quarter-inch still pokes outwards.The only exception here might be a cowlick on the underside of your chin or jawline.
Tip #1 If the Cowlick Is on Your Cheek or Neck
In this situation, you can find some cool workarounds. Perhaps grow only stubble-length whiskers on the affected area. Or else you could work around it with a chinstrap beard that keeps the cowlick area shaved. Another option is to go with a goatee. Some legends have even hidden their cheek cowlicks by growing long handlebar mustaches.
Tip #2 Grow It Long
If the options in the preceding paragraph aren’t for you or don’t do the trick, then grow your beard long over 6 months to a year. A beard cowlick is most obvious around the 2 to 5-month stage of growth. Then the hairs will be long and “weighty” enough to style more uniformly with a blow dryer beard oil good brushing, and some beard balm – or even with a dab of mustache wax for super hold.
Tips for Managing Your Beard Cowlick
Tip #3 Condition and Moisturize Your Beard
How do you do this?
Avoid Regular Hair Products:Never wash your beard with regular hair shampoos, soaps, or body washes.
Use Beard Wash: Wash only with a beard wash packed with conditioning nutrients.
Apply Moisturizer: Apply a light coat of beard moisturizer after washing and before applying beard oil.
Better-conditioned whiskers are more cooperative and less inclined to curl, knot, and tangle. You want to maintain an ideal balance of essential oils in your beard. Therefore, avoid harsh products that strip those oils away.
Tip #4 Use Firm-Hold Beard Products
After your twice or three times a week cleansing – and after your daily rinse with warm water, apply some products that will give you some extra help:
Pat Your Beard Dry: Gently pat your beard dry with a towel.
Apply Beard Oil: Spread beard oil evenly through your beard.
Brush with a Beard Brush: Use a wild boar bristle beard brush to distribute the oil.
Apply Beard Balm: Apply beard balm to all your beard, including the cowlick section.
Brush Again: Brush again in the desired direction.
For those truly pesky cowlick hairs, a tiny scrape of mustache wax can be used to force them into the right direction and make them stay that way all day. Mustache wax contains natural beeswax that sets firmly.
Conclusion
Dealing with a beard cowlick can be frustrating, but it’s far from impossible. With the right care and grooming techniques, you can manage and even embrace this quirky aspect of your facial hair. Remember, the key is to condition and moisturize your beard use firm-hold products, and maintain a consistent brushing routine.
FAQs
Q1: Can a beard cowlick be permanently fixed?
A: Unfortunately, if the cowlick is genetic, it cannot be permanently fixed. However, proper care and grooming can manage and minimize its appearance.
Q2: What causes a beard cowlick?
A: Beard cowlicks are usually caused by genetics or improper care of facial hair. Genetics are the primary cause, but poor grooming habits can also contribute to their development.
Q3: Can using beard straightening tools help with cowlicks?
A: No, using hot blow dryers, straightening irons, or heated brushes can damage your beard and make the cowlick more noticeable.
Q4: How often should I brush my beard to manage a cowlick?
A: You should brush your beard at least once a day, but several times a day with a wild boar bristle beard brush is even better.
Q5: Are there any products that can help control a beard cowlick?
A: Yes, firm-hold beard products like beard balm and mustache wax can help control and style the cowlick hairs in the desired direction.