So you’re growing a beard, and after about two weeks, your face is itching like crazy. Or perhaps you’ve had a beard for some months, and suddenly, beard itch has struck out of the blue and won’t quit. What do you do? When does a beard stop itching? When does that itchy beard phase end?
Whatever you do, don’t give in to the temptation to give up! There are reasons why your beard itches, and most importantly, there are solutions close at hand!
Why My Beard Itch?
Ally kicks in somewhere in the first two weeks or so. The hairs at this stage are still kind of blunt from shaving them abruptly short, and they also aren’t long enough to train the direction they grow. The result is that the stubby ends scrape and tickle the skin, creating an infuriating itch.
For a more seasoned beard meister, the late onset itch is most frequently a sign of needing to change hygiene habits and grooming routines. The cause is usually dryness mixed with accumulated dead skin flakes, dirt, and bacteria. Furthermore, if beard hairs aren’t cared for properly and become coarse and wiry, they can scrape skin flakes off, creating a vicious itchy cycle.
When Will the Itchy Beard Phase End?
With a new beard, somewhere within weeks 2 to 4, your whiskers should soften and the ends start to taper. They become more manageable, especially with regular cleansing, application of beard oil, and brushing.
Beard Itch Tip #1: Don’t Trim or Shave Too Early
If you trim or shave within the first few weeks, you’ll create abrupt, coarse whisker ends that curl back easily and rub against your face. You need to be patient with your beard growth and give them time to soften up.
Okay, let’s get into more solutions to a persistently infuriating itchy beard…
Beard Itch Tip #2: Cleanse Well
Whether you’re in the stubble phase or you’ve let the grass grow long, you simply must wash off bacteria, dead skin cells, and dirt. Your face sheds thousands of skin cells every day, and the hairs of your beard are little magnets for them. The more there are in your beard, the more they combine with grime, sweat, and bacteria right near your skin to create an itchy cocktail.
The solution here is to cleanse. Not with regular soap or shampoo these products will cause more dryness and flaking, making your whiskers coarse and wiry. Use a premium beard wash to help balance the moisture content of your skin and help condition and soften those beard hairs.
Beard Itch Tip #3: Don’t Let Your Skin Dry Out
Dry skin cracks and sheds flakes, causing beard ruff that looks like a blizzard has hit your face (and clothes), making you scratch like a maniac.
How do you avoid dry skin?
- Never clean your face with soap or shampoo. Use a quality beard wash.
- Never clean your face with hot water. Use warm water only. Hot water washes away your face’s natural oils and causes rapid dehydrating evaporation.
- If you live in a harsh, dry climate, especially a cold one, your skin loses moisture fast. Consider using a beard moisturizer.
- Use a top-quality beard oil and brush it thoroughly and evenly through your beard.
- Use a wild boar bristle beard brush to gently remove debris and flakes, distribute oil, and massage the skin gently.
- Reduce stress.
- Improve your diet, especially with plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins B, C, and E.
Additional Tips to Manage Beard Itch
Beard Itch Tip #4: Prevent Split Ends
It’s not just your skin that can dry out. Your whiskers themselves can get too dry because your natural sebum oil production isn’t enough to condition them to stay soft and pliable. This can happen with longer beards especially. When those longer hairs get dehydrated, they can split and break, which causes them to curl wildly and itch the face. Split hairs can also irritate their follicles.
Beard oil and beard balm are your best friends here, along with drinking plenty of water and eating a nutritious diet. These things will hydrate your skin and hair follicles from beneath while nourishing your whiskers from above.
Beard Itch Tip #5: Watch for Ingrown Hairs
Sometimes newly sprouted hairs can curl back towards your face before they’ve reached a ¼-inch in length. Ingrown hairs can be painful but also can be itchy. If this happens, you’ll need some tweezers to set them straight. Then you’ll need to cleanse regularly, apply beard oil, and brush fastidiously.
Conclusion
Really, there are no secrets when it comes to tackling that itchy beard phase. It’s a simple matter of following the steps we’ve mentioned here and being a little patient. Softness and hydration are your friends, and they must apply to your facial skin as well as your beard hairs. It may seem counter-intuitive, but soft skin and hairs are durable and create that rugged look you crave.
A comfortable, itch-free beard doesn’t just happen by itself. Any respect-worthy beard requires a little TLC and pampering. So arm yourself with the best quality beard grooming products you can find to put beard itch to the sword, once and for all.
FAQs
Q1:When Does a Beard Stop Itching?
For most new beards, the itchy phase ends within 2 to 4 weeks as the hairs soften and the ends taper. For more seasoned beards, addressing dryness and grooming habits can alleviate itching quickly.
Q2:What Causes Beard Itch?
Beard itch is primarily caused by blunt hair ends scraping the skin, dryness, dead skin flakes, dirt, and bacteria. For longer beards, split ends and ingrown hairs can also contribute to itchiness.
Q3:How Can I Prevent Beard Itch?
Preventing beard itch involves proper cleansing, avoiding soap and hot water, using quality beard products like beard oil and beard wash, maintaining a good diet, and reducing stress. Regular grooming and hydration are key.
Q4:Can I Trim My Beard During the Itchy Phase?
It’s best to avoid trimming or shaving during the first few weeks of beard growth, as this can create coarse ends that irritate the skin. Patience is crucial to allow your beard to grow and soften naturally.
Q5:What Products Should I Use to Reduce Beard Itch?
Use a premium beard wash, quality beard oil, and a beard moisturizer if you live in a dry climate. A wild boar bristle beard brush can help distribute oil and remove debris. Avoid regular soap and hot water as they can cause dryness.
Q6:How to stop a beard from itching?
To stop a beard from itching, keep it well-moisturized and clean. Regular washing with a mild beard shampoo and conditioning with a beard conditioner or oil can help. Exfoliating the skin beneath the beard also helps remove dead skin cells that cause itchiness. Avoid scratching, as it can irritate the skin further.
Q7:How to make a beard less scratchy?
To make a beard less scratchy, regularly apply beard oil or balm. These products soften the beard hairs, making them less coarse and more manageable. Trimming the beard to remove split ends and maintaining a consistent grooming routine can also help keep your beard smooth.
Q8:Does aloe Vera help with beard itch?
Yes, aloe Vera can help with beard itch. Aloe Vera has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that can calm irritated skin. Applying aloe vera gel to the beard can reduce itchiness and moisturize the skin underneath.
Q9:Why does beard oil make my beard itchy?
Beard oil can make your beard itchy if you have sensitive skin or if the oil contains ingredients that you are allergic to. Additionally, if the oil is not massaged properly into the skin or if the beard is not clean before application, it can trap dirt and dead skin cells, leading to itchiness. Switching to a lighter or unscented beard oil might help.