The 4 Stages of the Mustache Growth Cycle

A mustache is a personal statement that instantly presents your unique style to the world, with near-unlimited options for stylization. To avoid panic or confusion, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the mustache growth stages.

If you’re thinking about growing a mustache, or you’re in the process right now, congratulations. Though the road may be long, the reward is sweet. In this guide, we’ll get into the stages of mustache growth, from the initial growth phase to the final, mature stage.

We’ll also provide a timeline for each stage to give you a better idea of what to expect during the mustache-growing process.

So whether you’re a first-time mustache grower or a seasoned pro looking to optimize your growth, read on to learn more about the stages of mustache growth and how long each one typically lasts.

Finally, we bust some mustache myths and respond to some of the most common mustache growth questions. Let’s get started!

Mustache Hair Growth Cycle

The mustache hair growth cycle has 4 phases: Anagen, Catagen, Telogen, and Exogen.

Anagen Phase: The initial phase of the mustache hair growth cycle, where the hair follicles on the upper lip begin to actively produce hair. The hair can appear thin and sparse at first.

Catagen Phase: A transitional phase that follows the anagen phase and lasts a few weeks. Here, hair follicles begin to shrink and detach from the blood supply, signaling the end of active growth.

Telogen Phase: A resting phase that lasts several months, longer than any other stage. The hair follicle remains dormant and no new growth occurs.

Exogen Phase: The final phase of the cycle. The old hair is shed and falls out, making way for new growth in the next anagen phase.

After the exogen phase, the cycle repeats itself with fresh hair sprouting from the follicle’s root. The duration and timing of this cycle varies from person to person.

Mustache Growth Stages

Depending on the length and look you’re after, we’ve broken down mustache growth into four stages with an approximate week-by-week breakdown of each. The weekly timeline will vary based on individual hair growth rate. Understanding these stages can help you better care for your mustache and achieve the look you’re going for.

Stage 1: Upper Lip Light Stubble (Weeks 1-2)

This is a relatively easy stage to endure. As you put the razor down and your mustache begins to come in, the light stubble can look quite attractive on many men.

During this stage, it’s a good idea to let your beard grow in as well. Letting the beard fill in helps distract from the emerging peach fuzz under your nose.

Once your stubble has grown in and genuine hairs have started to sprout, it’s time to shave the beard and commit to a full mustache. Once you’ve shaved the beard, you’ve entered the phase that breaks most would-be mustache growers.

Stage 2: Itchy Eyesore (Weeks 3-5)

By week 3, your mustache should be more visible and the hairs will start growing longer. The itchy eyesore phase is the worst stage of the entire mustache growth journey. At this point, your mustache isn’t long enough to look particularly attractive.

On top of that, depending on how patchy your growth is, some hairs will be noticeably longer than others. The hairs dangling down onto your lip trigger beard itch, and they’re still too short to comb aside.

The only advice for this stage: endure it, or rock a shorter, well-trimmed ‘stache.

Stage 3: Disconnected Goatee Territory (Weeks 6-7)

When you see the light at the end of the tunnel, hope makes its comeback. For most men, this stage kicks in around week 6 and seems to emerge organically from the “itchy eyesore” phase.

By stage 3, your mustache hair should be long enough to start shaping and styling. This is the stage where you look in the mirror and say, “actually, this looks pretty nice.”

You can begin experimenting with different mustache styles and find a look that works for you. We’re all our own worst critics, so during this phase you may notice spots that seem uneven or less full than you’d like. Give your mustache more time to grow in and you’ll find yourself getting happier with it week by week.

Stage 4: Full Chevron Mustache (Weeks 8 and Beyond)

The full ‘stache phase is characterized by a mustache that’s completely grown in and fully styleable. In general, the full ‘stache stage arrives by week 8. This is where regular mustache trim sessions, shaping, and grooming become your routine to keep everything looking sharp.

You can choose between classics like the Chevron, the Handlebar, or the Horseshoe. If you’ve gotten this far, congratulations! You now have a fully certified mustache, with all the rights and privileges therein.

Factors That Affect Mustache Growth Timeline

The weekly timeline of mustache growth can vary significantly from person to person. Several factors influence the rate and thickness of facial hair growth:

Genetics: Your genes play a major role in determining your facial hair growth pattern, density, and texture. Some men naturally have thicker or faster-growing facial hair due to their genetic makeup.

Age: Facial hair growth typically increases during puberty and slows down with age. Younger men tend to experience faster, more consistent growth than older men.

Hormones: Testosterone is the primary hormone responsible for stimulating facial hair growth. Hormonal imbalances or shifts in hormone levels can affect both the rate and thickness of what comes in.

Nutrition: A healthy diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals promotes hair growth and thickness. A poor diet or nutrient deficiencies can slow facial hair growth considerably.

Stress: High levels of stress can disrupt hormone levels and pump the brakes on facial hair growth.

Mustache Myths

There are a lot of mustache myths floating around out there. Let’s see how they hold up to the facts.

Mustache myth #1: Shaving helps your mustache come in fuller.

Not true. Shaving does not affect the thickness or color of mustache growth. Your mustache will grow back at the same rate and thickness as before.

Mustache myth #2: A mustache is a food trap.

This myth goes along with the idea of the “flavor saver.” While it’s definitely true that mustaches can catch and hold onto food particles, the notion that no one can rectify this is absurd. With proper care and grooming, a mustache can be very hygienic.

Mustache myth #3: Mustaches are uncomfortable.

While some people find mustaches uncomfortable or itchy during the initial growth phase, many men find they get used to the sensation over time. With proper grooming and care, a mustache can be kept clean and comfortable.

If you think about the “coolest” people you know, you’ll note that it’s not the things they choose to surround themselves with that make them so cool. Why do we like the people we enjoy? Usually, they (more than anyone else) genuinely know themselves.

Tips For Mustache Growth and Care

In addition to the time spent growing your mustache, you must also care for it like a tender sapling.

• Pro Tip: During the “itchy eyesore” phase, you may feel the urge to shave or trim off the bits that itch you. Our advice: don’t yet. For some mustache styles, saving those longer itchy hairs will be critical when it comes to styling.

Having some supplies on hand will help you keep your mustache as aesthetically pleasing as possible. These tools are helpful when growing a mustache but absolutely essential when caring for a fully grown-in mustache.

Mustache wax is your new best friend. It locks in hold and keeps everything in formation, especially for thick, dense styles.

Just as essential as wax are beard scissors. A good pair of scissors will let you groom and shape your mustache once it has grown in properly.

A mini mustache comb will keep your mustache in form and your hairs laying in the right direction.

The often-repeated nickname “flavor saver” didn’t come from nowhere. A full mustache has a habit of collecting debris and dirt, and an uncared-for mustache can smell bad fast.

Using face wash along with shampoo and conditioner will keep your mustache clean and fresh.

Growing a mustache is a fun and rewarding experience, but it does require patience and dedication. By following a solid grooming routine for each stage of mustache growth, you can achieve the look you want and keep your mustache looking sharp.

Thanks for reading. If you’re ready to get that mustache working full-time, put down the razor and wait. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did!

FAQs on Mustache Growth Cycle

Here are some of the questions we get the most about the stages of mustache growth.

How Long Does It Take to Grow a Full Mustache?

It depends on the individual, but you should generally give it three to four months for your mustache to come in fully.

Will My Mustache Get Thicker?

Almost always, yes! Some hairs take a lot longer to grow in than others. If your mustache looks a little patchy right now, endure. It will no doubt fill out.

Does Mustache Hair Stop Growing?

At the end of the exogen phase, old mustache hair falls out and new growth restarts the anagen phase. So mustache hair never truly stops growing.