10 Signs You Can’t Grow a Beard and How to Embrace It

Are you one of those men who can’t grow a beard? Do you ever look at your peers who can grow a full beard effortlessly and wonder why you can’t? Well, you’re not alone. Many signs suggest some individuals may not be able to grow a beard.

Beard growth patterns are largely determined by genetics. But it is not the only factor. Some men with a family history of thick beards may still struggle to grow facial hair due to hormonal imbalances or other underlying conditions.

On the other hand, men with no family history of facial hair may still be able to grow a beard if they have a healthy level of testosterone and other necessary hormones.

As you clicked on this article, chances are you already tried growing a beard and failed. So, this article will cover the signs you can not grow a beard and how to embrace it.

Can Every Man Grow a Beard?

Growing a beard is one of the best ways men can express themselves since it can contribute to their style. However, not every man can grow a beard, and many factors contribute. You might have a skin disease that doesn’t allow for hair growth, an imbalance in testosterone levels, or your genetics will not allow you to grow a beard.

While getting beard implants is always an option, they can be expensive and are a surgical procedure. However, not being able to grow a beard does not make you any less of a man. Most people wrongly associate masculinity with a person’s ability to grow a beard. But there is much more to being a man than just growing hair on your face.

Growing a beard can be difficult for some men, and sometimes they can just be the odd one out. It is possible that they have family members who can grow a beard, but they are still unable to grow a proper one. So, here are some signs that you will need help with growing your beard.

Signs That Tell You Cannot Grow a Beard

These are the signs that indicate you may not be able to grow a full beard. In some cases, these signs indicate you can’t grow a beard at all.

1. Genetics and Family Tree

Genetics is the most important sign to check whether you can grow a beard. You should look at your family tree. Also, check if your family had late bloomers who would grow a beard well into their late 20s or 30s.

If they are late boomers it’s a sign you might grow your beard at a later stage of your life. But if they didn’t have a beard at any stage of their life it is heartbreaking to say that you may not be able to grow a Beard

Genetic testing can help to determine if a man is predisposed to grow facial hair or not. But it is not always accurate and should not be used as the sole determinant of a man’s ability to grow a beard.

2. Body Hair Growth

Check your body hair growth and whether your armpit or pubic hair grows as thick. If it is not, you likely have lower testosterone levels, or your genetics don’t support too much body hair.

3. Testosterone Levels

You should also check testosterone levels in your body and see if they are at a healthy level. If they are lower than you expected, then that could be why you cannot grow a healthy beard. It would be best to ask your physician for the best action for this issue.

Sometimes, it can be a correlation wherein low testosterone levels might not be the exact cause of slow or no beard growth. However, it’s best to rule out this possibility by discussing it with a hormonal test.

4. Skin Disease

Fungal infection or psoriasis can significantly affect your beard’s growth, and alopecia can make it harder for you to grow a beard. If you can’t grow a beard because you have skin disease it is a sign that you can grow a beard with proper treatment.

In a study of 20 men and women with alopecia areata on the scalp and/or beard, it is observed that it is possible to grow a beard if you treat your alopecia.

5. Unhealthy Lifestyle

Living an unhealthy life, including not getting enough sleep, taking too much stress, or smoking, can negatively affect beard growth. Smoking is hazardous since it restricts blood flow to different parts of the body, including your hair follicles. It can be the reason you can’t grow your beard.

6. Certain Age

People will often grow a proper beard when they become adults. The levels of hormones like DHT testosterone increase in adults more than in teenagers. So if you are a teenager or in your 20s, your body is still developing. So you can still hope to grow a beard.

Though there is no specific age at which a man can no longer grow a beard. But in general, if you are over 30 and still have no beard, it’s a sign you can’t grow a beard.

7. Your Race

Your ethnicity can also greatly influence your beard since some people can’t grow as good a beard as others. Arabs are famous for being able to grow a long beard very quickly, but Native Americans and Koreans have a hard time growing a full beard.

8. Environment

Living in a place with too much dust and smoke isn’t good for your beard since pollution can block your pores and make it harder for hair follicles to grow. If you live in such an environment it can be a reason you can’t grow a beard.

9. Stress

Cortisol is the main stress hormone in the body, which increases blood sugar levels. It also leads to reduced testosterone levels in the body, which can negatively affect how your beard grows. if you lack sleep and stress it is a sign it is affecting your beard growth.

10. Medications

Different medications can lead to hair loss around the body, including antidepressants, acne medication, epilepsy drugs, and steroids.

Chemotherapy drugs are also responsible for increasing hair loss in the body. So, If you are on suck kind of medications it is a sign you can not grow a beard till the course completes.

How to Embrace It

Embracing the fact that you can’t grow a beard can be a challenge. The pressure to conform to societal norms of masculinity can be overwhelming, but there are ways to embrace your inability to grow a beard and still feel confident and attractive. Here are some tips on how to do so:

Just because you can’t grow a full beard doesn’t mean you can’t have some facial hair. A well-maintained stubble or trimmed mustache can add character to your face. Experiment with different facial hair styles.

While you may not be able to grow a full beard, there are many other styles that you can try out. A goatee, mustache, or soul patch may work well with your facial hair growth pattern and can give you a unique and stylish look.

If all else fails don’t be afraid to rock the clean-shaven look. A smooth, well-shaved face can be just as attractive as a beard and can give you a more polished and professional appearance.

FAQs

At what age does a beard grow fully?

A full beard will usually start to grow out at 18, and depending on your genetics and other factors, your beard can continue to grow well into your 20s. In some cases, men will only be able to grow a full beard once they reach their 30s.

I can’t grow a beard at 40, will I ever be able to grow beard?

If you are 40 and still can’t grow a beard, it is unlikely that you will be able to grow one in the future. Some people are genetically predisposed to not being able to grow a full beard.

Is it possible to grow a beard at any age?

Yes, it’s possible to grow a beard at any age  While testosterone levels naturally decrease as men age, there are still ways to promote healthy beard growth, such as a healthy diet and exercise.

What is the youngest age to grow a beard?

The age at which a person can start growing a beard varies, as it is largely determined by genetics and hormonal changes. However, it is typically around the time of puberty, which can occur anywhere between the ages of 9 and 15.

So, You may not be able to grow a beard because of possible skin disease, age, and ethnicity. But even with all of these issues, being unable to grow a beard doesn’t make you any less of a man. You can always accept what you can’t change and move on to improve your life in other ways.