How to Tame & Straighten Curly Beard Like A Pro
Do you hate those curly whiskers and wish you knew how to straighten a curly beard? Some people embrace the curly beard and rock the look. Other people hate the daily hassle of maintaining it and become frustrated at those rogue strands that won’t cooperate. For those who hate the curly look, several options are available for straightening your beard.
Some options are easy to use, and you can incorporate them into your morning ritual. Other options may require incorporating a certain technique. Some may have an initial time investment but involve easier maintenance as time progresses.
Picking the best one involves being honest about how much time you want to spend taming those hairs daily. You can save money and spend more time or spend a bit more money upfront but take less preparation time each morning. The choice is yours, but there are pros and cons to each that you should know.
Quick Tips
Here are 5 tips for straightening your curly beard:
- Apply sea salt spray: While your beard is slightly damp, use a sea salt spray to give it shape and texture. Look for a spray with high-quality ingredients like sea kelp to improve your skin barrier function.
- Use a blow dryer on medium heat: Use a blow dryer at least a foot away from your beard and on medium heat to style it. This can help reduce damage compared to high heat settings.
- Use a round brush for styling: While blow drying, use a small, round brush with vented ceramic plates to style your beard and take the curl out. Finish with cold air to set the style.
- Work styling balm into your beard: Use a beard styling balm to lock your style into place. Make sure to work it well into your beard, and you can also use beard oil for skin care underneath.
- Use a comb for symmetry: Comb through your beard with a fine-tooth comb to ensure it is perfectly symmetrical. Don’t forget to shape and smooth out your mustache as well.
Understanding Those Beard Curls
When we use ‘curly beard,’ we are not referring to a beard with rogue hairs curling out at the chin or jawline. We are referring to a beard with a genetic predisposition to curliness. This type of hair is curly overall and can pose several challenges in maintaining it.
Simple Genetics
Strangely shaped hair follicles create curly hair. How thick the hair shaft is determined by the size of the follicle. Curliness comes from the asymmetry of the follicle and the curve.
The chemical composition is different in hair that is curly. The shaft of this hair has an asymmetrical arrangement of enzymes and keratins. Since this exists, there may be a difference in the texture of the hair.
The angle of the hair fibers also determines curliness. Curly hair has fibers that grow at an angle away from the skin. Straight hair has more of a perpendicular angle of growth.
While genetics may be the popular reason for curly facial hair, it is not the only one. There are others to consider.
Poor Hydration
There is a good reason why experts tout that good grooming products and habits are a necessity in maintaining a beard. However, these simple grooming rules can often become overlooked when it comes to a beard.
Since they are both made by hair follicles, dry beards behave just as the hair on your head does when it’s dry. If the tips on the shaft begin to curl, the beard can appear unkempt. You can prevent this by using beard oils and conditioners.
These products moisturize the hair shaft. When combined with a good comb or brush, they will take the natural oils from the base of the shaft and extend them outwards. The result is a healthy-looking beard that is well-groomed- not straggly.
Cleanliness
Most people don’t associate the dirt and grime on your hands to transfer to a beard. Nor do they think it can be a suspect with hair becoming curly.
The more you touch or play with the beard, the more debris becomes lodged in it, which can cause it to become unruly. Also, food and drinks can become lodged in the beard, creating an unhealthy environment.
How to Tame Your Curly Beard
Health and maintenance play a role in keeping a curly beard healthy. Beards should be shampooed and conditioned 1-3 times a week, depending on the beard’s oiliness. If it’s dry, wash it once a week; if it’s oily, wash it 3 times a week.
When using grooming products, make sure they’re specifically designed for beards as other products can damage facial hair and strip away moisture.
Washing and conditioning are only the first step in beard care. Dirt, grime, and debris can cause a greasy feeling beard, even if it’s dry on the ends. This can occur because the natural oils aren’t distributed evenly throughout the hair follicles.
A boar bristle beard brush or comb can solve this issue. It coats the hair from root to end, nourishing the beard. Brushing or combing also stimulates circulation, promoting a fuller and healthier beard.
Regular combing or brushing removes debris and dead skin cells, allowing for healthy beard growth.
Moisturize dry skin to prevent your beard from becoming curly. Dry skin creates split ends, becomes brittle, and curls. The beard doesn’t produce enough natural oils to keep it soft, so sometimes, it needs a little help from products such as:
- Beard balms
- Beard conditioners
- Beard masks
- Beard oil
Experts recommend using a hot wet towel to boost the efficiency of moisturizing products, helping to open the pores and allow dirt to escape. It also softens the beard. When beard oil is applied, water becomes trapped inside, thereby refreshing the beard hair.
How Do You Naturally Straighten a Beard?
Some men don’t like using chemicals in their beard to straighten it. Those with sensitive skin may dislike the discomfort of beard relaxers, and others may prefer not to invest in beard straightening irons. There are alternatives available for these men.
Beards can be straightened with a brush, silicone gel, and hair dryer. When using products on your beard, avoid metal and plastic items, which can cause static and frizz. Natural materials such as animal horns or wood are the best to use.
It’s important to consider the spacing of a beard comb as well. For long, thick beards, choose a comb with wider teeth spacing to avoid getting caught in the beard. This will make combing easier and less likely to tangle.
After washing, pat the beard dry with a towel. Use a comb to lift the hair outward and upward from the skin. Point the hair dryer at the base of the hair shaft, on a low setting. When the beard is nearly dry, comb it downwards while pointing the hair dryer in the direction of hair growth.
Finally, hydrate the beard with beard oil or styling products.
Can You Chemically Straighten Beard?
You can chemically straighten your beard to save time on grooming each day. Some chemical treatments won’t cause damage when done properly, while others may require the help of a professional.
Note that even with a chemical straightener, you will still need to maintain your beard. The straightened beard will remain straight, but new hair growth will still come in curly, creating a two-textured appearance.
It’s important not to use a relaxer too often as it can dry out your hair. A beard relaxer is available in shampoo or cream form and moisturizes the hair shaft by smoothing out the outer layer of keratin. You can use these treatments at home.
To straighten your beard, apply the relaxer cream evenly with a comb, wait for 30 minutes to allow full moisturization, then wash with a beard shampoo and pat dry. Finish by fully drying with a hairdryer, detangling with a comb, and straightening with a heater beard brush or straightening iron.
If using a shampoo relaxer, replace your beard shampoo with the relaxer. Spread evenly with a comb, wait for the appropriate time, rinse, pat dry, and straighten.
Heated Beard Tools
There are beard straightening products that require a professional touch. When using chemicals close to the face, caution is advised.
A heated beard brush and straightening iron are similar to those used for the head, but adapted for the beard. It is important not to use a hair straightening iron for your beard as it can cause damage. The iron can be too wide and potentially burn the face, and some settings may be too high for a beard.
A heated beard brush allows for the simultaneous straightening and combing of the beard, and offers better control of the shaft direction. When using the brush, it is important not to apply it to wet or damp hair. The setting should be adjusted to the lowest possible and increased as needed. If the brush or iron is flattening a curl instead of straightening it, it may be time to invest in a new one. These products typically last between two to five years with continuous use.
To straighten the beard, it should be brushed downwards and repeated until it is straight. Moisturizers should be used after straightening.
A flat iron has two heated plates that press and move hair from the shaft to the tip. Beard straightening irons are smaller and more maneuverable than traditional flat irons, and have a lower setting that is better for facial hair. A heat protection spray is recommended to prevent damage from straightening.
After washing and drying the beard, small sections should be placed between the two heated plates and the iron should be slid from the root of the hair shaft to the tip in a smooth and gentle motion.
Beards can be relaxed through at-home products or by visiting an expert. For first-timers, a professional touch is recommended.
Straightening a curly beard can be accomplished in various ways, from general maintenance to chemical relaxers to straightening with a beard brush or straightener. Some methods require more maintenance, while others are easier. It is important to consider the texture and condition of the beard. If it is dry, using a relaxer may strip away moisture, causing further damage and frizziness. It is essential to find a method that fits into your routine and can be maintained.
